Sarasota Area Ranks High

The annual report of Inc. magazine studied 393 population centers across the nation, identifying job creation and other signs of business vitality. Big cities are idling, and the real entrepreneurial hot spots are on the periphery -- where low costs and favorable regulatory environments make it possible to thrive.

Which metropolitan areas are really booming? Here, you'll find a searchable database, the full 2006 rankings broken down by small, medium, and large cities, an interactive map, stories explaining why -- and where -- companies are flourishing today, and much more.