North Carolina is America’s Top State for Business in 2025, led by a strong workforce and economy
With a solid economy, a world-class workforce, and a wealth of corporate hospitality, North Carolina is America’s Top State for Business in 2025.
The Tar Heel State is on a roll. It captured top honors in the annual CNBC rankings in 2022 and 2023, and it was runner-up in 2021 and 2024 — missing the top spot last year by just three points to Virginia, which slips this year to its lowest position among states since 2018.
North Carolina is not only winning the CNBC rankings, it’s also attracting a steady stream of new business.
KEY POINTS
The Tar Heel State captures its third Top States crown in the last four years. It missed the top spot by just three points last year.
North Carolina’s biggest strengths are in the categories of Economy, Workforce, and Business Friendliness. But federal budget cuts, tariffs and the recovery from Hurricane Helene could threaten its dominance.
Massachusetts is 2025′s Most Improved State. Alaska finishes last.
PUBLISHED THU, JUL 10 20258:21 AM EDTUPDATED FRI, JUL 11 202510:58 AM EDT, Scott Cohn@SCOTTCOHNTV
