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17. Santa Fe
Population: 65,433
Pro: Excellent quality of life
Con: Tough competition - Santa Fe's quality of life attracts lots of new businesses

Santa Fe's spectacular cultural and geographic landscape attracts visitors from around the world - tourism is the city's biggest industry. But Santa Fe also boasts an increasingly diverse palette of small-business incubation programs. The Santa Fe Small Business Development Program provides technical assistance, while the nonprofit Santa Fe Business Incubator houses startups and offers training and support programs. Santa Fe's Small Business Development Loan Fund lends capital to businesses that bring new jobs to the area.

New, direct regional jet service to Dallas, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles make access to major markets as easy as finding local great restaurants and or unforgettable art in Santa Fe's famed Canyon Road gallery district. A brand new convention center slated to open later this year and a new Hilton resort/meeting facility will introduce new opportunities for retail, restaurant and hospitality businesses. Tech businesses also thrive in Santa Fe; it's home to a number of spin-offs from nearby Los Alamos. -Shara Rutberg

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Last updated July 02 2008: 11:16 AM ET
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