July 11, 2025

North Carolina Overtakes Texas in Business Rankings

News Summary

North Carolina has claimed the top spot in the latest business rankings, surpassing Texas for the first time in four years. With a score of 1,614 points, North Carolina demonstrated strengths in various economic categories, including the workforce and business friendliness. Texas now ranks second, while Florida comes in third. As North Carolina continues to attract businesses and create jobs, Texas faces challenges to retain its competitive edge in the ever-changing economic landscape.

North Carolina has been recognized as America’s Top State for Business in CNBC’s annual rankings for 2025, reflecting a significant economic shift in the region. This accolade marks the third time in four years that North Carolina has achieved this distinction, moving up from second place in the previous year. Texas has secured the second spot in the rankings, while Florida rounds out the top three. Virginia, which held the top position in 2024, has slipped to fourth place.

The rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of all 50 states, assessing over 100 metrics across ten categories of competitiveness. North Carolina scored 1,614 points out of a possible 2,500, demonstrating its strong performance across various critical areas. Notably, the state ranked third in overall economy, fourth in workforce, and fourth in business friendliness, while placing eleventh in infrastructure and thirteenth in technology and innovation.

Since the beginning of 2025 under the leadership of Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina has attracted approximately 24,700 jobs and secured $18.7 billion in new investments. Businesses are increasingly drawn to North Carolina due to its relative affordability, a skilled workforce, and favorable regulatory climate. Furthermore, community colleges in the state play a vital role in workforce development by creating programs tailored to meet the needs of local industries.

The current unemployment rate in North Carolina stands at 3.7%, which is notably lower than the national average of 4.1%. Recent economic developments further highlight this positive trend. In July 2025, JetZero announced a plan for a $4.72 billion manufacturing facility in Greensboro, which is projected to generate over 14,500 jobs. Additionally, Amazon has pledged a substantial investment of $10 billion to develop data centers in the state.

Despite these encouraging developments, North Carolina faces challenges that could impact its continued economic growth. Recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene remain ongoing, and potential Medicaid cuts, along with the effects of trade tariffs, pose additional concerns. The state currently ranks 29th in quality of life metrics, which covers aspects such as per capita crime rates and access to healthcare services.

The future trajectory of North Carolina’s economic leadership may be influenced by federal budget cuts and the efficiency of recovery from recent disasters. State Senate leader, Phil Berger, noted that the state’s favorable business climate can be attributed to tax reductions and reduced regulatory hurdles implemented since 2011. Moving forward, the North Carolina government continues to prioritize investments in infrastructure, workforce initiatives, and business incentives to maintain and strengthen its competitive edge.

In summary, North Carolina’s recognition as the top state for business in 2025 underscores its robust economy and the attractiveness of its business environment. With strategic investments and a focus on addressing ongoing challenges, the state aims to sustain its economic momentum in the coming years.

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Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN

GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER The GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREgeorgetown.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Georgetown, Williamson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown Swirl, and Christmas Stroll. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Georgetown Association, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as local wineries and historic downtown shops. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.