Full Breakdown
CNBC’s 2026 “America’s Top States for Business” Rankings: Ohio #1, North Carolina #2, Virginia #3
7/11/2026, 4:35:30 AM
Core Event
In July 2026 CNBC released its annual “America’s Top States for Business” study, ranking Ohio first, North Carolina second, and Virginia third. The report evaluates all 50 states on 138 metrics across ten categories—Infrastructure, Economy, Workforce, Quality of Life, Cost of Doing Business, Technology & Innovation, Business Friendliness, Access to Capital, Education, and Cost of Living. Infrastructure was the top-weighted category for 2026, accounting for nearly 18 % of each state’s total score.
Background & Context
Virginia held the overall crown in 2024 and slipped to fourth in 2025 before rising to third in 2026. Ohio’s ascent began in 2010 when it ranked 34th; it has climbed 33 spots, reaching the top for the first time since the study’s 2007 inception. The shift reflects CNBC’s changing formula: infrastructure now dominates, and new metrics such as permitting speed, power-grid capacity, and treatment of emerging industries (AI, quantum computing, prediction markets) were added.
Data & Statistics
- Virginia: #2 in Infrastructure; #5 Education; #6 Technology & Innovation; #7 Quality of Life; #10 Workforce; #10 Access to Capital. The Commonwealth allocated $50 million to its Business Ready Sites Program and $30 million to site-readiness this year.
- Ohio: #1 Infrastructure (A+ grade) and #1 Cost of Doing Business (A+). Ohio spent $175 million on site development versus Virginia’s $30 million. It ranked #9 in Economy, #9 Access to Capital, and #9 Cost of Living. Ohio’s transportation network includes the fourth-largest interstate system and freight-rail network, placing 60 % of the U.S. and Canadian populations within a one-day drive.
- North Carolina: #1 Economy; #3 Workforce; #8 Technology & Innovation; #8 Infrastructure; #8 Business Friendliness; #12 Education; #34 Quality of Life; #35 Cost of Living. The state created nearly 34,000 new jobs and attracted $23 billion in investment in 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.7 % in May 2026.
Why It Matters
The rankings serve as a “brag-ging” tool for economic developers, influencing corporate site-selection and state-level policy. High scores in infrastructure and cost of doing business signal to firms that a state can deliver rapid permitting, reliable power, and affordable operating conditions—key factors for data-center, AI, and advanced manufacturing projects. Conversely, drops in Virginia’s Economy and Cost-of-Doing-Business categories raise concerns about job creation and fiscal competitiveness.
Official Statements & Responses
Virginia’s Governor Abigail Spanberger credited “strategic investments” in talent, education, and site readiness for the rise, noting more than $5 billion in new business investment and 3,000 jobs since taking office. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Cenery emphasized a partnership-based climate that accelerates permitting. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine highlighted the state’s “long-term workforce and economic development strategy” as the engine of its lead, while Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel pointed to expansive workforce-development programs such as WorkOhio. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein described the ranking as proof that the state “can’t rest on its laurels” and pledged continued infrastructure investment.
Criticism & Opposition
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce warned that an Economy ranking of 23 and a Cost-of-Doing-Business ranking of 26 “signal that we are losing ground where it matters most.” Some analysts linked Virginia’s business-friendliness dip to a contentious debate over early abolition of data-center tax breaks. Ohio’s flat-tax structure, praised for boosting its Cost-of-Doing-Business rank, has drawn criticism that it disproportionately benefits high-income earners. Additionally, Ohio’s workforce category fell to a D grade, with labor-analytics firm Lightcast noting insufficient skilled-worker inflow.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Ohio’s exact workforce ranking: one report lists a D grade, while another places the state at No. 23 in education but does not specify a workforce rank. No source provided a concrete explanation for Virginia’s unexpected drop to fifth in education.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Berry Hill is the best example of what it can be when you prepare a site,” — Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia
- “Virginia’s site readiness program is the envy of the nation.” — CNBC report
- “We are outpacing every other state in the nation because we have worked together to create a strong economy, pro-business environment and a workforce that is ready to innovate.” — Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio
- “North Carolina is growing and thriving, and remaining in the top two is just another reminder of all our state has to offer,” — Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina
- “ Governor Spanberger continued, “Virginia’s rise in the rankings reflects strategic investments that are helping companies succeed in our Commonwealth.” — Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia
What’s Next
Virginia officials say the $50 million Business Ready Sites allocation will continue through the current biennium, and the state plans further investments in talent pipelines such as the InternshipsVA program. Ohio’s JobsOhio Energy Opportunity Initiative and its $100 million energy-infrastructure fund remain active, while North Carolina pledged additional infrastructure spending to sustain its economy-lead position.
