Alabama has been selected as one of the top three states in the nation for doing business, according to a survey of site selection consultants released Friday.

Area Development, a leading publication covering site selection and facility planning, announced the results of its 2011 Top States for Doing Business survey. Alabama was the No. 3 site selection choice. The state also tied for first place in incentive programs and was No. 2 for labor costs and workforce development programs.

According to the results, the top 10 states for doing business are Texas, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and California.

“Alabama has a unique blend of excellent sites, quality infrastructure and incentives that make us attractive to companies throughout the world,” said Gov. Robert Bentley. “These consultants have recognized what we knew all along. Alabama is the best place in the nation to open or expand a business.”