North Carolina Crowned CNBC's #1 State for Business for Third Time in Four Years

RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina has once again cemented its reputation as a premier destination for commerce, earning the top spot in CNBC's annual "Top States for Business" ranking. This marks the third time in the last four years that the Tar Heel State has claimed the prestigious title, a testament to its robust economy, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment.

Governor Josh Stein celebrated the announcement, stating, "This confirms what we have known for a long time – that North Carolina is the best state in the country for business. 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." He further acknowledged the contributions of past leaders and bipartisan legislative efforts in fostering this welcoming climate.

N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the state's "relentless commitment to building a competitive, welcoming, and dynamic economy." Lilley highlighted North Carolina's "world-class workforce" and strategic investments in critical areas as key drivers of its success.

Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), attributed the repeated recognition to a powerful strategy built on partnerships. "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," Chung stated. He pointed to the state's top community college system, oldest public university, modern transportation networks, and robust utility capacity as foundational elements for growth.

The CNBC study evaluates states across 10 categories of competitiveness, assigning weights based on how frequently states emphasize them as selling points. North Carolina achieved a score of 1,614 out of a possible 2,500 points, with its strongest performances in Economy, Workforce, and Business Friendliness.

Since assuming office in January, Governor Stein has overseen an impressive surge in economic development, announcing business expansions and new projects projected to inject nearly $17 billion in new capital investment and create over 20,000 new, high-paying jobs. The state has emerged as a leader in the clean energy economy, with more than 100,000 individuals employed in the sector.

A key focus of Governor Stein's administration has been workforce development. He firmly believes that a traditional four-year degree should not be a prerequisite for a good, family-supporting job. In March, he established the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, a bipartisan group tasked with identifying strategies to strengthen North Carolina's workforce and broaden access to quality employment. The council recently released its inaugural report, outlining 11 goals to equip more North Carolinians with the skills needed for thriving careers. In a complementary move, Governor Stein also signed Senate Bill 124 into law, reducing the number of state government jobs requiring a four-year college degree.

Addressing the state's childcare challenges, the Governor launched his Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of high-quality childcare across North Carolina. Furthermore, the Governor established the Advisory Council on Student Safety and Well-Being, dedicated to ensuring public schools foster engaging learning environments and support students' growth.

Beyond economic and workforce initiatives, Governor Stein remains committed to recovery efforts in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene nine months ago. He recently announced the "Rediscover the Unforgettable" tourism initiative to encourage visitors to the region and, in partnership with the Dogwood Health Trust and the Duke Endowment, invested in the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative. This $55 million program has provided grants to over 2,000 businesses. Just this week, Governor Stein visited Clyde to award one of the first grants from the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program, which supports local governments in rebuilding public infrastructure. The Governor continues to urge widespread support for western North Carolina's small businesses and tourism.