‘We are just getting started’: North Carolina named top state in America for business in CNBC rankings

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina is back on top as the best state for business in the country, recapturing its top ranking in the annual CNBC rankings unveiled on Thursday morning.

It earned the distinction for the third time in the past four years due to “a solid economy, a world-class workforce, and a wealth of corporate hospitality,” according to a story from the network.

“This confirms what we have known for a long time – that North Carolina is the best state in the country for business,” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in a statement. “Our people, state’s business climate, top research universities and excellent community college system, infrastructure, and high quality of life help both companies and workers thrive.”

“I want to thank leaders like former Governor Roy Cooper and state legislators of both parties who have helped North Carolina create a welcoming climate,” Stein added. “I am proud of the progress our state has made, and we are just getting started.”  

North Carolina previously received the top honor in 2022 and 2023, while also finishing as runner-up in 2021 and 2024, which saw the state drop behind neighboring Virginia by only three points.

In this year’s categories, CNBC ranked North Carolina in third for economy and fourth in workforce and business friendliness, with the report stating: “The Tar Heel State is on a roll.”

“This recognition reflects our relentless commitment to building a competitive, welcoming, and dynamic economy that creates opportunity for everyone,” North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said in a statement. “From our world-class workforce to our strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation, North Carolina continues to lead the way as a place where businesses thrive, and communities prosper. We share this success with all of our partners across the public and private sectors and look forward to building on this momentum.”

The study measured all 50 states in 135 metrics across 10 broad categories. Each state could score a maximum total of 2,500 points, and North Carolina collected 1,614 points to once again secure the top ranking.

“North Carolina’s recognition as the best state for business for the third year in the last four is a testament to an economic development strategy that relies on the power of partnerships,” said Christopher Chung, the CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, in a statement. “Our strength lies in our ability to connect companies with the workforce, infrastructure, sites, industry ecosystems, and innovation resources needed to support their growth, as well as a business-friendly environment that’s especially valuable in times of economic uncertainty. From one of the nation’s top community college systems and the nation’s oldest public university to our modern transportation networks and robust utility capacity, North Carolina is built for growth.”

The CNBC report precisely references a new wave of companies bringing their industries to North Carolina. Governor Stein’s office reports that business expansions or new projects announced since January will yield nearly $17 billion of new capital investment and create over 20,000 jobs.

Notable businesses coming to the Tar Heel State include JetZero, an aircraft manufacturing company that announced its decision in June to construct its first factory in Greensboro, generating 14,500 new jobs. This marks the largest job commitment in North Carolina history, according to the governor. Stein said the economic impact of this proposal could be worth up to $250 billion for the state.

During the same month, Amazon also revealed its plan to invest $10 billion to launch new data centers statewide, concentrating on the expansion of its artificial intelligence infrastructure. This is in addition to the $12 billion that the e-commerce giant has already contributed to North Carolina since 2010, the company said.

“This investment will position North Carolina as a hub for cutting-edge technology, create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, and drive significant economic growth,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, in a statement released on June 4. “We look forward to partnering with state and local leaders, local suppliers, and educational institutions to nurture the next generation of talent.”

Texas, Florida, Virginia and Ohio rounded out the top five in the CNBC state rankings.