Michigan Climbs to Sixth Place in CNBC’s Top States for Business Rankings
In a notable achievement for Michigan, the state has been ranked as the sixth best state for business by CNBC in its annual “America’s Top States for Business” list. This marks the fifth time Michigan has secured a spot in the top 10 under the leadership of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, showing a significant improvement from its 24th place ranking at the beginning of her administration in 2019.
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer expressed pride in Michigan’s accomplishments, stating, “Michigan is a place where everyone can succeed… This national recognition is a sign that Michigan is on the move, and when people do business here, they win big.” Her administration emphasizes job creation, advanced manufacturing, workforce preparation, and cost reduction as key factors in this success.
The 2026 rankings reflect Michigan’s ability to thrive despite challenging market conditions and policy shifts affecting businesses nationwide. Michigan surpassed states such as Georgia, Florida, and Indiana to achieve its current standing.
CNBC has been evaluating the business competitiveness of U.S. states for 20 years, assessing each state on 138 metrics across 10 categories. These criteria help determine the factors influencing companies’ site selection and investment decisions.
Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), acknowledged the state’s strategic focus on investing in “People, Places, and Projects.” He stated, “Work remains, and we are committed more than ever to continuously improving to ensure Michigan’s employers, employees, and entrepreneurs feel their vote of confidence is well-placed.”
While Michigan first reached the No. 6 spot in 2025, here are the top states in the 2026 list:
- Ohio
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Georgia
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Indiana
Michigan maintained its No. 4 ranking in the category of Cost of Doing Business. This category evaluates the state’s ability to manage business expenses efficiently, considering factors like tax climate, wage and utility costs, and incentives.
Hilary Doe, President & CEO of MoveDetroit, highlighted the state’s continued growth and attractiveness, saying, “It’s great to see Michigan continue to rank among the top states in the nation for folks to start, scale, and operate their businesses… More people are choosing Detroit and our great state for its quality of life, affordability relative to our peers, and real areas of fast-growing economic opportunity.”
Ron Hinrichs, CEO of the Southern Wayne Regional Chamber, attributed Michigan’s success to “effective, bipartisan leadership” and emphasized the importance of resources in talent attraction, affordable childcare, housing, and public transportation.
Stacy Ziarko, President & CEO of Connect Macomb, praised the state’s positioning as a favorable business environment, noting, “This recognition reflects the strength of Michigan’s workforce, our collaborative business climate, and the partnerships that are helping communities like Macomb County compete on a national stage.”
Prominent figures like Jeremy Garza of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association and Brent Pilarski of the Michigan Laborers District Council echoed the sentiment that Michigan’s workforce plays a crucial role in attracting business investments and fostering economic growth.
Growing the Economy & Creating Good Paying Jobs
Governor Whitmer remains committed to expanding Michigan’s economic landscape. Her efforts include:
- Increasing Michigan’s population with more people moving into the state than leaving for the first time since the 1990s.
- Ranking #1 for fastest foreign direct investment job growth over the past five years.
- Leading in small business growth and a 24% revenue increase, placing Michigan among the Top 10 states for business.
- Gaining recognition as a top 5 state for workforce development by Site Selection.
- Maintaining a strong position in the auto industry and rising in manufacturing and semiconductor jobs.
- Establishing the Michigan Innovation Fund and R&D tax credit to support businesses and create jobs.
- Signing an executive directive to boost state procurement and contracts with small and disadvantaged businesses.
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