Staying at the top on a national level is often harder than getting there. That’s what makes North Carolina’s sixth consecutive year of ranking among the nation’s top two states for business so impressive.  While the state narrowly missed a repeat No. 1 finish in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2026 rankings, North Carolina remains one of the nation’s premier business destinations.

North Carolina’s second-place finish was not a result of lost momentum, with the state matching its winning score of 1,614 points from 2025 exactly. The difference in 2026 was Ohio’s surge to the top, mainly driven by two categories CBNC weighted most heavily this year, infrastructure and cost of doing business.

This year’s rankings reflect a changing business landscape, with a greater emphasis on infrastructure, affordability, and speed-to-market. Site selectors are shifting to a greater emphasis on utility capacity, transportation networks and development readiness, with a focus on discovering where growth can happen most efficiently.

Wake County’s Role in North Carolina’s Competitive Edge

In a ranking that evaluates all 50 states across workforce, infrastructure, innovation, cost competitiveness, and economic performance, North Carolina continues to demonstrate long-term consistency, despite this year’s change at the top of the rankings.

North Carolina ranked:

• #1 in Economy
• #3 in Workforce
• #5 in Access to Capital
• #8 in Technology & Innovation

Those rankings are deeply connected to the strengths of Wake County and the Research Triangle region. Home to world-class universities, a nationally recognized research ecosystem, and one of the country’s fastest-growing labor markets, the region continues to attract companies across technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Combined with a top-ranked economy and access to capital, these fundamentals position North Carolina as one of the top business expansion opportunities for long-term growth.

Growth Creates New Opportunities and New Demands

The report also highlights challenges many fast-growing regions encounter, with North Carolina experiencing a decline in categories related to affordability and quality of life. As more people and businesses continue to move to North Carolina, the demand for housing, transportation and utilities has increased. For Wake County, this means continuing to focus on the importance of infrastructure, utilities, transportation and public service needs, while ensuring they evolve alongside the state’s growth.

North Carolina’s No. 1-ranked economy, highly skilled workforce, and culture of innovation remain powerful advantages, reinforcing our position as one of the strongest economic performers in the country. The challenge ahead is not creating momentum, but sustaining it, ensuring Wake County remains a national leader in attracting talent, investment, and opportunity for the next chapter of growth.