To be America’s Top State for Business in 2026, ‘speed to market’ wins
To quote the movies, in 2026 companies need speed.
With one eye on disruptive technological advancements, massive investments, and opportunities tied to rising stock markets, and the other eye on inflation, global unrest, and rising risks, businesses choose to build buildings while they are in good condition.
“We are extremely busy, and this has been one of the busiest periods we have experienced,” said senior site selection consultant Larry Gigerich, executive general manager of Ginovus and president of the Site Selectors Guild.
“One of the key trends we’re seeing right now is speed to market,” Gigerich said. Companies are demanding things like shovel-ready sites and fast regulatory approvals that allow them to seize the moment whenever they can. “I think there’s some concern that we’re going to have a change, that it’s time for some economic change,” he said.
States are aggressively asserting themselves as the best places for companies to survive and thrive in these uncertain times, but which states are actually doing this? CNBC’s exclusive America’s Best States for Business survey returned to find out.
This is the 20th year of the study, which scores and ranks all 50 states according to ten competitiveness categories. Our time-tested methodology aims to hold states to their own standards while marketing themselves as great places to do business.
Governors set their sights on the top ranks
Governors and economic development officials watch CNBC rankings closely.
a ten year economic development strategy It identifies “Being One of the Top 10 States for Businesses” as one of five success metrics announced by Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in 2024, specifically citing CNBC rankings. State finished 17th overall in 2025.
Last year, Democratic Oregon Governor Tina Kotek set a similar goal in one state.prosperity road mapIt hopes to improve on the state’s CNBC ranking of 39th in 2025. The document also calls for the state to improve its Labor ranking at No. 23 and move into the top ten.
In March, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine noted the state’s 2025 rankings (the best ever) during his annual state of the state. address.
“Last year, CNBC ranked Ohio one of the nation’s five best states for business,” he said to applause, “and No. 1 in the Midwest.”
We are raising the bar in 2026
Our Best States in 2026 study puts states to their toughest test yet. This year’s scoring system includes 138 metrics, the most ever, across ten categories.
This year’s study, which specifically addresses companies’ demand for rapid entry to the market, includes factors such as permit periods and negative aspects of legislation or their absence.
“Capital is pursuing the certainty and knowledge that there won’t be excessive red tape and pain in the decision matrix of where to put my money,” said Stuart Lacey, founder and CEO of Labrynth, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company that created a Red Tape Index to measure states and provided some data for this year’s CNBC study.
The study also takes a closer look than ever at infrastructure, including ever-increasing demands for affordable and reliable energy and abundant water supplies.
Economic growth and stability, which was a major focus in our 2025 study as the second Trump administration began to implement its policies, remains an important factor in 2026 — with more than a year’s worth of hard data now on how states are handling things like tariffs and federal budget cuts.
Also critical: the growth and quality of each state’s workforce.
“There’s still a mismatch of availability and quality,” Gigerich said, “and the market hasn’t caught up yet.”
As inflation continues, the Cost of Doing Business and the Cost of Living are also measured. We measure Quality of Life as states try to attract skilled workers.
“Investing in location quality is the best thing you can do to attract and retain talent,” Gigrerich said.
The study also measures Technology, Innovation and Business Friendliness, particularly relevant to emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing and predictive markets.
The rankings take into account Education and Access to Capital.
Watch this CNBC.com episode and CNBC TV in the coming weeks as we explore what it takes for a state to be competitive today. On July 15, CNBC announces America’s Best States for Business in 2026. You’ll be able to see where your state ranks overall and in each of our 10 competitiveness categories.
Be sure to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #TopStates.
