The Nevada Commission on Economic Development has made its latest raid on the California economy, reports the Review-Journal. The campaign officially launches in major markets in the Golden State next week.

The ads feature the “missing bear” from the state flag and the once “happier cows” who have migrated eastwards where the economic opportunities are greater and business climate is friendlier. The billboards are already up in California and you can view the ads on this Web site.

This is the latest round in an ongoing war between the states in which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his national campaign emphasizing that California was open for business and the NCED’s response asking: “Will your business be terminated?” The campaign will cost $700,000.

As Jennifer Robison points out, “Dozens of California companies have left for Nevada in recent years, but the hundreds of jobs lost represent only a fraction of California’s huge economy.” Of the 77 companies that got assistance from NCED, state officials report that 28 moved here from California.