Startup Talk: Little Rock offers sixth lowest startup costs in the U.S.

Editor’s note: Each Thursday, Talk Business & Politics provides “Startup Talk,” a round-up of startup, technology and entrepreneurial news.

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LITTLE ROCK OFFERS SIXTH LOWEST STARTUP COSTS IN THE U.S.
In its second annual study, SmartAsset ranked Little Rock sixth among the U.S. cities with the lowest for startup companies in the country. Based on SmartAsset’s survey, it would cost just $233,877 for a business owner with five employees and a 1,000 square foot office to run a first-year startup in Little Rock. Out of the 80 cities in our study, Little Rock is the cheapest place to file as an LLC or a corporation. Business filing fees are $45, on average.

FORD ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH SILICON VALLEY STARTUPS TO ACCELERATE SELF-DRIVING CAR PLANS
U.S. auto giant Ford Motors announced on Tuesday (Aug. 16) its intent to have a high-volume, fully autonomous SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) level 4-capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service. To get there, the company is investing in or collaborating with four startups to enhance its autonomous vehicle development, doubling its Silicon Valley team and more than doubling its Palo Alto campus. This year, Ford said it will triple its autonomous vehicle test fleet to be the largest test fleet of any automaker – bringing the number to about 30 self-driving Fusion Hybrid sedans on the roads in California, Arizona and Michigan, with plans to triple it again next year.

CENSUS BUREAU: IT WORKERS EARN ALMOST TWICE AS MUCH AS OTHER JOBS, RANKS JUMP TENFOLD SINCE 1970
The number of information technology (IT) workers now stands at 4.6 million, compared with just 450,000 in 1970 according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The upsurge means IT workers now represent 2.9% of the U.S. labor force. Read more here.