CNBC Special Correspondent Scott Cohn Revealed America's Top Five States for Business Today on CNBC
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., July 11, 2023—CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, today unveiled the results of the 2023 America's Top States for Business with North Carolina taking the number one position for the second consecutive year.
CNBC Special Correspondent Scott Cohn reported today live from The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and counted down the top five states during CNBC's "Squawk Box" (M-F, 6AM-9AM ET) and on CNBC Digital. Coverage of America's Top States for Business will continue on-air and online through CNBC's Business Day programming today.
North Carolina topped last year's total, scoring 1,628 out of 2,500 points. Ranking number one in Workforce – the most important category in this year's study – educated workers flocking to the Tar Heel State and worker training programs are among the best in the country. North Carolina also boasts the third best Economy with solid growth, stable state finances and a healthy housing market. However, the political harmony that has helped made the state so competitive is fading. North Carolina is one of the only states with no statewide antidiscrimination protections, and it recently enacted a 12-week abortion ban, both hurting its score for Life, Health and Inclusion.
"Companies in desperate need of skilled workers are going where the people are, and people are going to North Carolina," Cohn said. "The state's well-balanced economy is handling the growth well. Rising political tensions could create issues down the road, but for now, North Carolina seems to have the winning formula—for the second year in a row."
CNBC Digital offers a detailed analysis of how North Carolina claimed the top spot including a complete economic snapshot (employment, budget, tax and housing data). The rankings for all 50 states are available at topstates.cnbc.com.
Follow us on Twitter @CNBC and take part in the social conversation surrounding CNBC's Top States coverage using hashtag #TopStates.
CNBC's exclusive study scores all 50 states on 86 metrics across ten categories of competitiveness. The methodology grades the states based on factors companies consider each year when making site selection decisions, and that states pitch in their efforts to win business. Then, every state's economic development marketing pitches are analyzed to determine the appropriate weight for each category. The more weight a category carries, the more metrics it includes.
America's Top 5 States for Business:
1. North Carolina
2. Virginia
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Minnesota
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