America's Top States for Business - North Carolina

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CNBC Presents America's Top States For Business 2007

Carlton A. on Florida:
"Florida has long been regarded as a place for tourists and retirees. However, because of it's location, univeristy system, void of income tax, well maintained and developed highway infrastructure, numerous international and regional airports, sea ports..."

Tracy F. on North Dakota:
"Leadership gurus around the globe say that today’s companies want a workforce whose actions speak louder than their words. Companies want to hire and promote people who get to the point, get the job done and get results...."

Claude L. on North Carolina:
"North Carolina is certainly among the top five states in business. All you have to do is ask people from Manteo to Murphy why they live, work, worship and play here...."

Betty K. on Texas:
"I think Texas is # 1. This is a great state to work and reside in. San Antonio has great medical facilities and research."

Joseph R. on Nevada:
"NEVADA! It is very hard to believe that you have ranked Nevada at #43! In Nevada there is no state income tax, no corporate tax, no inheritance tax, we have one of the best economies in the nation..."

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North Carolina

Previous: New York | Next: North Dakota

North Carolina is the leading producer of tobacco in the country. / AP

Year of Statehood:	1789
Governor:	Mike Easley (D)
Population:	8,638,242
Gross State Product:	$39,921 (per capita)
Growth Rate:	4.7%
Unemployment Rate:	4.8%
Major Industries:	Farming, Textiles, Furniture
Related Links:	- State Economic Development - Official State Website

North Carolina rounds out our top five states to do business in with a score of 1153. It ranked first in Workforce and also made the top ten in Access to Capital and Business Friendliness.

Its overall position was hurt by its ranking in Education (30) and Quality of Life (28).

Nevertheless, North Carolina has become of the nation’s most dynamic states, as its economy continues to diversify. Charlotte, home to Bank of America, is now the nation’s second-largest banking center and the state's Research Triangle is a source of technological development. Red Hat, the applications software company, is based in that area.

The state has a special place in aviation history, thanks to the Wright Brothers test flights at Kitty Hawk.

Daniel McFadden, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics in 2000, and Erskine Bowles, former head of Fannie Mae, are two of its biggest names in the world of money.

On The Road With Scott Cohn In North Carolina

Rank	Category	Score
5	OVERALL	1153
22	Cost of Doing Business	252
1	Workforce	269
22	Economy	130
30	Education	116
28	Quality of Life	113
18	Technology & Innovation	99
21	Transportation	59
15	Cost of Living	35
10	Business Friendliness	38
9	Access to Capital	42