The Tar Heel State is back on top of the list for the best to do business.
CNBC announced Thursday that North Carolina is No. 1 in its 2025 America’s Top States for Business ranking.
"This confirms what we have known for a long time – that North Carolina is the best state in the country for business,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a press release. “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.”
CNBC cited the “wave of high-impact investments” in the state, including: JetZero’s $4 billion plans to build a factory in Greensboro, bringing an estimated 14,500 new jobs; as well as Amazon’s $10 billion investment to build a massive data center complex in Richmond County’s Energy Way Industrial Park.
“These moves build on the continued growth of North Carolina’s life sciences and clean energy sectors, which are helping to anchor the state’s long-term economic strength,” reads the press release.
Since March, the governor’s office has made 16 additional economic development announcements for Rowan, Mecklenburg, Rutherford, Wake, Wayne, Cleveland, Randolph, Guilford, Scotland and Cumberland counties.
Of those mentioned, Richmond, Scotland, Cumberland, Rutherford, Randolph, Cleveland and Wayne are all designated as Tier 1 counties, the most economically depressed.
Rowan and Guilford are Tier 2 counties and Wake and Mecklenburg are Tier 3.
Gene McLaurin
RO file photo
Gene McLaurin, a Richmond County resident and chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina called the ranking “great news” for the state.
“It proves that our bipartisan approach is working,” McLaurin told the RO via text on Thursday. “ I am proud of our EPDNC team and the role we play with our many public and private partners to create jobs and economic growth throughout N.C.”
McLaurin added that he is “especially pleased that our rural communities are benefiting from the positive business climate we’ve created in N.C.”
North Carolina was previously ranked No. 1 back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, and No. 2 in 2021 and 2024 — falling behind neighboring Virginia both years.
“North Carolina earning the title of the most business-friendly state is a clear reflection of the General Assembly’s commitment to pro-growth, conservative leadership,” state Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, told the RO via text.
Rep. Ben Moss
“This recognition shows what happens when government steps aside and lets entrepreneurs do what they do best: create, innovate, and expand,” Moss continued. “By reducing regulatory burdens, modernizing tax policy, and supporting small businesses, we’ve created an environment where job creators can thrive — and where Richmond and Moore counties are seeing real benefits, from new investments to quality job creation.
“This is what fiscal responsibility and free-market principles look like in action — and it’s producing real results for North Carolina families.”
CNBC’s survey grades all 50 states on 135 metrics across 10 categories based on site-selection factors.
North Carolina was listed in the top 10 for several categories: third for economy; fourth for both workforce and business friendliness; sixth for education; and eighth for access to capital.
However, CNBC notes that the state’s “lack of basic worker protections” and rapid growth “driving up costs” led to its rankings of: 21st for cost of doing business; 23rd for cost of living; and 29th for quality of life.
Citing estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of State Budget and Management reported in December that North Carolina had the fourth-largest population gain in the nation from 2023-2024, with an increase of 165,000 people in that time frame.
Other category rankings from the CNBC survey included 11th for infrastructure and 13th for technology and innovation.
Other states landing in the top five are: Texas (2); Florida (3); Virginia (4); and Ohio (5).
“North Carolina has been on a roll for years now,” CNBC special correspondent Scott Cohn said in a press release. “With its world-class workforce, a solid economy, and a heritage of innovation, North Carolina keeps winning business, and keeps winning our rankings.
“The state faces some formidable challenges right now, including the recovery from Hurricane Helene last fall,” Cohn added. “But if any state can do it, this one can.”
