News Summary
North Carolina has claimed the top spot in the latest business rankings, surpassing Texas for the first time in four years. With a score of 1,614 points, North Carolina demonstrated strengths in various economic categories, including the workforce and business friendliness. Texas now ranks second, while Florida comes in third. As North Carolina continues to attract businesses and create jobs, Texas faces challenges to retain its competitive edge in the ever-changing economic landscape.
North Carolina Emerges as Top State for Business, Displacing Texas
North Carolina has been recognized as America’s Top State for Business in CNBC’s annual rankings for 2025, surpassing Texas, which ranked second in the list. This achievement marks North Carolina’s third time winning this accolade in the past four years, reflecting a notable shift in economic dynamics within the country. Florida takes the third spot, while Virginia, which held the top position in 2024, has dropped to fourth place.
The rankings assess all 50 states using over 100 metrics across ten categories of competitiveness. North Carolina scored 1,614 points out of a possible 2,500, showcasing strengths in various key areas essential for fostering a robust business environment. The state ranked third for overall economy, fourth for workforce and business friendliness, and also placed 11th in infrastructure and 13th in technology and innovation.
Job Creation and Investments
Since taking office in January 2025, Governor Josh Stein has been instrumental in driving economic growth, resulting in approximately 24,700 new jobs and $18.7 billion in investments. Businesses have cited factors such as relative affordability, a skilled workforce, and a business-friendly regulatory environment as primary reasons for choosing to expand operations in North Carolina.
Community colleges play a pivotal role in workforce development within the state, tailoring their programs to align with industry needs, ensuring that the right skills are available to meet the demands of employers. As a result, North Carolina’s unemployment rate currently sits at 3.7%, which is lower than the national average of 4.1%.
Recent Economic Developments
In July 2025, notable economic advancements showcased the state’s growth trajectory. JetZero announced plans for a $4.72 billion factory in Greensboro, projected to generate over 14,500 jobs. Additionally, Amazon has committed to invest $10 billion in data centers in the state, further highlighting North Carolina’s attractiveness to large, influential companies.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite these successes, North Carolina faces challenges that could impact its economic landscape. Recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, potential Medicaid cuts, and the effects of trade tariffs could pose obstacles in the coming months. The state currently ranks 29th in quality of life metrics, which encompass factors like crime rates and access to healthcare.
The state government continues to focus on strategies to maintain its favorable business climate, which has been shaped by tax reductions and reduced regulatory hurdles since 2011. Investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and robust business incentives remain high priorities for maintaining North Carolina’s economic leadership.
The evolving economic environment emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation to preserve North Carolina’s competitive edge in the long run. While current trends indicate a strong business climate, Senate leaders caution that federal budget cuts and the pace of recovery from recent disasters may pose risks to the state’s economic future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CNBC: North Carolina Named America’s Top State for Business
- Wikipedia: North Carolina
- WRAL: North Carolina Regains Top Spot
- Google Search: North Carolina top state for business
- News & Observer: North Carolina Business Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina
- WBTV: North Carolina Named Top State for Business
- Google News: North Carolina business rankings
- CNBC: Top States for Business 2025
- WITN: North Carolina Ranks 1 in Business
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
