Ohio is America's Top State for Business in 2026, its first No. 1 rank

Key Points:

• Ohio has been named America's Top State for Business in 2026 by CNBC, rising from 30th place in 2007 to first due to its strong infrastructure, low business costs, and strategic economic development efforts.
• The state ranks No. 1 in Infrastructure, benefiting from its central location with over 143 million people within a day's drive, robust site readiness programs, and a growing number of data centers, including a major new facility by SoftBank and AEP.
• Ohio leads in Cost of Doing Business with low rents, reasonable insurance and utility costs, and generous tax incentives, though property taxes remain a political challenge the state is addressing.
• Despite its business strengths, Ohio faces challenges in Workforce development, ranking No. 35 due to lower educational attainment and retention of skilled workers, prompting initiatives like the $300 million JobsOhio Experiential Learning Initiative.
• The 2026 CNBC rankings also highlight other top states such as North Carolina (No. 2), Virginia (No. 3), Texas (No. 4), and Minnesota (No. 5), while Hawaii ranks last overall, struggling with infrastructure, business costs, and high living expenses.