Kosmont Companies, has selected the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont-McKenna College as its publishing partner for the 2003 and future editions of the Kosmont - Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey^®.

Previously published as the Kosmont Cost of Doing Business Survey^®, the annual Survey contains a vast amount of data about fees, taxes, costs, and incentives that affect business in cities and metropolitan areas nationwide.

The Rose Institute specializes in public policy research and the publication of surveys and recommendations designed to make the political process more democratic and understandable. Recent projects and publications have focused on redistricting, fiscal analysis, California demographics, and legal and regulatory analysis.

Since first published in 1985, the Cost of Doing Business Survey^® has been widely used by corporations, real estate developers, community planners, and public officials. It is especially useful to businesses contemplating a move.

Regarding the affiliation between Kosmont and Rose, Larry Kosmont, president of Kosmont Companies, said, "We have grown and nurtured the Survey to the point where it is nationally recognized as a valuable and unique tool in business and community planning. But we have taken it about as far as we can go. With the added strength and capabilities of the Rose Institute, especially with Rose's sterling reputation for objective research and analysis, we are confident that our partnership will further enhance the quality and effectiveness of this important publication."

A representative from the Rose Institute stated: "We are enthusiastic about working with Kosmont Companies. By working together we will be able to expand the research that goes into the Survey, and make it even more useful to government planners, the real estate industry, and private companies evaluating competitive communities. The experience and capabilities of the Rose Institute are a perfect fit for this assignment. This is an exciting new project for the Claremont Colleges. It is a remarkable opportunity, and we intend to make the most of it."

For the first several years of its publication, the Kosmont Survey covered only major California communities. It has been greatly expanded and now covers over 300 communities in California and over 100 major cities and markets nationwide including, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Washington D.C.