VANDALIA — Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted on Tuesday cited a slight year-over-year increase in business registrations as evidence that Ohio’s business climate has improved.

And he attributed much of the turnaround to tax policies adopted by current and previous administrations that have fostered entrepreneurship and given the state a competitive edge in attracting new businesses.

Husted told local business leaders and chamber officials at the Christian Life Center in Vandalia that Ohio’s new business registrations have climbed about 7 percent to 49,000 through the first eight months of the year, compared to the same period a year ago.

Many of those new business were started by people who couldn’t find jobs but took “personal responsibility” for their own welfare, which will be an important factor in Ohio’s recovery from its economic doldrums, he said.

Husted also cited a CNBC survey earlier this year that labeled Ohio the “most improved” state in its annual ranking of the top states for business, based on such factors as tax policy, workforce quality, infrastructure and transportation.

Ohio leaped from 29th in 2010 to fifth place this year in what CNBC calls its most important category – cost of doing business. Overall, Ohio moved up 11 spots to No. 23. Ohio has room to improve, however, especially when it comes to educating its work force, where Ohio ranked last in the CNBC ranking.

Will Roberts, executive director of the Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce, said he’s already seen a marked improvement in business activity in areas such as Huber Heights and Tipp City.

Still, where Ohio ranks in terms of business friendliness is largely a matter of opinion. Earlier this year, Chief Executive Magazine ranked Ohio No. 44 on the list of states with the best business climates, based on the opinions of 651 CEOs.