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February 23, 2004 Monday

LENGTH: 121 words

HEADLINE: Business Survey

DATELINE: LOS ANGELES

BODY:
Twelve cities in Los Angeles County rank among the most expensive in the nation to do business, according to a survey released today. The city of Los Angeles had the highest cost of doing business, followed by Santa Monica, Culver City, Compton, Palmdale, Bell, Pomona, Pico Rivera, Huntington Park, El Monte, El Segundo and Hawthorne. The 10th annual Cost of Doing Business Survey was published by Kosmont Cos. Los Angeles and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College. The rankings are based on taxes, fees, and incentives that affect businesses in 314 cities and communities. Philadelphia topped the list, while Cheyenne, Wyo. ranked as the least expensive place to do business.

LOAD-DATE: February 24, 2004