North Carolina Ranks Top for Economy, Business, and Workforce in 2026

North Carolina Celebrated as a Leading State for Business in 2026 Rankings

In a recent announcement, CNBC unveiled its 2026 rankings for America’s Top States for Business. This year, North Carolina has once again proven its competitive edge by securing a spot among the top states, marking its sixth consecutive year in the Top 2. Governor Stein expressed his pride in the state’s achievements, noting that North Carolina ranked first for the economy, second for business, and third for workforce.

Governor Stein stated, “North Carolina’s got a good thing going. This is the sixth straight year that North Carolina has ranked in the Top 2 states for business. This year, we’re the #1 state for the economy, the #2 state for business, and the #3 state for workforce.” He highlighted the record-breaking number of jobs announced in 2025 as a testament to the state’s expanding opportunities across all regions.

While celebrating the success, Governor Stein emphasized the need for continued investment to maintain North Carolina’s competitive position. “But this ranking proves that we can’t rest on our laurels. Other states want what we have, and we’ve got to keep investing to build strong infrastructure, double down on our high quality of life, and make North Carolina more affordable to live, work, and raise a family.” He urged the General Assembly to collaborate on efforts to reduce the cost of housing, childcare, healthcare, and utilities.

The governor also addressed the importance of a timely budget, noting, “When a state goes more than 1,000 days without passing a budget, you can’t be surprised to see some consequences. I am confident that the budget is a launching pad, not our landing place.”

With North Carolina’s continuous growth and thriving economic landscape, Governor Stein remains optimistic about the future. “North Carolina is growing and thriving, and remaining in the top two is just another reminder of all our state has to offer. Let’s keep building our success story by investing in people and lowering the cost of living so that we can build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous North Carolina.”