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LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) – America shows a particular strength globally in knowledge and technology outputs. According to a Wallet Hub report, the COVID-19 vaccines are among the biggest innovations the U.S. has recently produced.

Not to disparage the contributions of some states, but certain states have raised the bar and deserve more recognition for America’s technological excellence. Wallet Hub did a study to compare how all 50 states and the District of Columbia rank across 22 key indicators of innovative friendliness.

Source: WalletHub

According to the data collected by Wallet Hub, Kentucky ranks 43rd overall on the WalletHub State Innovation Index. Specifically, Kentucky ranked 41st in human capital innovation and 44th in environmental innovation.

Kentucky did not rank in the top or bottom five of any of the key indicators provided in the study, including:

  • Highest/Lowest share of STEM Professionals
  • Highest/Lowest projected STEM-Job demand by 2028
  • Highest/Lowest Venture-Capital funding per capita
  • Highest/Lowest Reserach and Development spending per capita

The top five most innovative states are:

  • District of Columbia
  • Massachusettes
  • Washington
  • Maryland
  • Colorado

Meanwhile, the five least innovative states are:

  • Arkansas
  • West Virginia
  • North Dakota
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi

Surrounding states like Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee ranked 30th, 28th, 31st, and 41st respectively.