CNBC’s 2025 rankings put the Tar Heel State back on top for economic opportunity and business growth
North Carolina has done it again. For the sixth consecutive year, the state has secured a spot in the top three of CNBC’s prestigious annual business rankings—and this time, it’s claimed the number one position.
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The Numbers Don’t Lie
CNBC’s comprehensive analysis examined over 100 metrics across 10 key categories, and North Carolina emerged as the clear winner. The state outperformed heavy hitters like Texas (second place) and Florida (third place) to reclaim the top spot it last held in both 2022 and 2023.
Here’s how North Carolina stacked up in key areas:
What Makes North Carolina Special?
“The main reason why we’re such an attractive place is our people,” Governor Josh Stein explained in a recent interview. “We have the best people. They’re hard-working. They have all the skills in the world that they need.”
The state’s winning formula combines several key ingredients:
Exceptional Talent Pool: From engineers and scientists to skilled technicians, North Carolina offers the full spectrum of expertise companies need to thrive.
Strategic Affordability: Businesses consistently cite the state’s relative affordability as a major draw compared to other leading business destinations.
Quality of Life: The state offers an attractive lifestyle that helps companies recruit and retain top talent.
Business-Friendly Environment: Streamlined regulations and supportive policies make it easier for companies to establish and expand operations.
Recent Success Stories
The proof is in the results. Since Governor Stein took office in January, North Carolina has attracted companies representing:
That’s a significant jump from the 9,300 jobs and $8.1 billion committed during the same period last year.
Major Wins This Year
The state’s biggest coup? JetZero, a California-based aircraft manufacturer, is planning a massive $4.72 billion factory in Greensboro. The facility will create more than 14,500 high-paying jobs focused on building next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.
Other notable additions include:
The Secret Weapon: Community Colleges
One of North Carolina’s most underrated assets is its responsive community college system. These institutions work closely with local businesses to develop training programs that meet specific industry needs.
Take Guilford Technical Community College, for example. The school has been expanding its aviation program to support the growing aerospace sector in Greensboro, offering courses in manufacturing, engineering, assembly, and repair. A multimillion-dollar expansion planned for completion in 2027 will increase capacity by 40%.
Similarly, community colleges in Wake and Johnston counties have ramped up biotechnology programs to serve the Triangle’s booming life sciences sector.
Staying Competitive in Uncertain Times
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley knows that success breeds competition. “We get to celebrate a ranking like this for about one day, and then it’s back to work, because every other state wants what we’ve got,” he noted.
The state faces potential challenges from federal budget cuts, tariffs, and ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. Additionally, changes to federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act could impact some of the state’s targeted industries.
However, North Carolina’s strategy focuses on diversification across high-growth sectors:
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The Bottom Line
North Carolina’s return to the top of CNBC’s rankings isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s validation of a comprehensive economic development strategy that prioritizes people, infrastructure, and smart policy decisions.
With unemployment at 3.7% (below the national average of 4.1%) and a steady stream of major companies choosing to expand in the state, North Carolina continues to prove that the right combination of talent, affordability, and business-friendly policies can create sustained economic success.
As the state looks toward the future, continued investment in workforce development and infrastructure will be crucial to maintaining this competitive edge. But with strong fundamentals and a proven track record, North Carolina appears well-positioned to remain a top destination for business investment and job creation.
To learn more, visit North Carolina regains top spot on CNBC’s list of best states to do business.
