“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,” CNBC reported.
“The Tar Heel State is on a roll,” wrote CNBC’s Scott Cohn. “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.”
Among the business wins cited by CNBC for the state were JetZero’s plans to build a factory site in the Tarheel State with an estimated 14,500 jobs and Amazon’s announcement of plans to invest $10 billion in a new data center.
“North Carolina offers unparalleled opportunities for businesses of all sizes,” Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) said in a statement. “Since 2011, the Republican-led General Assembly has reshaped our state’s business climate by slashing our tax rates, reducing regulatory hurdles and supporting world-class educational and job training programs.
“Our community colleges and UNC system schools are vital partners in preparing our citizens to fill the thousands of jobs being created here and the existing ones. We must double down on our efforts to support business growth and development from Murphy to Manteo.”
CNBC’s report also noted the more than 60,000 jobs added in 2024 and the 3.7% growth of its gross domestic product last year, calling it “the fifth strongest in the country.”
“We’ve taken a deliberate approach to fostering a business-friendly environment — grounded in policies that reduce barriers to entry, promote competition and encourage investment and growth,” said House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) in a press release.
“Being ranked number one for business yet again is just the latest example of the successful reforms implemented in North Carolina by the Republican-led General Assembly.”
Gov. Josh Stein also applauded the ranking.
“North Carolina is again the #1 state in the country for business — for the 3rd time in 4 years!” said Stein in a post on X. “From investing in our world-class workforce to enjoying our top-tier quality of life, there’s no doubt our state is not only the best place to live, work and raise your family but also to grow a business.”
N.C. Republican Party Chair Jason Simmons wrote on X, “The policies of strong Republican majorities in the General Assembly are the reason North Carolina is the best place in America to live, work & retire.”
