Ohio No. 1: Tops CNBC’s ‘Top States for Business’ ranking for first time
Fueled by logistics dominance and aggressive site development, the state’s rise reflects years of coordinated economic strategy. Major investments in semiconductors, energy, and AI infrastructure are accelerating its position as a national hub for industrial-scale innovation.
Ohio has been named America’s No. 1 State for Business in CNBC’s 2026 rankings, marking the first time the state has led the study since its launch in 2007. The finish caps a 33-spot climb since 2010, driven by strengths in infrastructure, cost competitiveness, and a surge of large-scale industrial and technology projects.
Why it matters
Long associated with the Rust Belt, Ohio is repositioning itself as a national hub for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and data-intensive industries. It is also the first Midwestern state to top the rankings since Minnesota in 2015, reflecting shifting momentum in where companies are locating major operations.
“Ohio’s long-term workforce and economic development strategy is working," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "We are outpacing every other state in the nation because we have worked together to create a strong economy, pro-business environment and a workforce that is ready to innovate."
By the numbers: How Ohio scored
CNBC evaluated all 50 states across 138 metrics in 10 categories. Ohio scored 1,623 out of 2,500 points, narrowly edging No. 2 North Carolina by nine points.
- No. 1 in Infrastructure (A+): The most heavily weighted category (17.6%). Ohio’s network includes the nation’s fourth-largest interstate highway system and freight rail network, along with significant warehousing capacity. The state sits within a one-day drive of roughly 60% of the U.S. and Canadian populations.
- No. 1 in Cost of Doing Business (A+): Driven by relatively low real estate, utility, and insurance costs. The state also has no corporate income tax and expanded its Commercial Activity Tax exclusion in 2025, exempting about 90% of businesses.
- Top 10 finishes: Economy (No. 9), Access to Capital (No. 9), Cost of Living (No. 9), Technology and Innovation (No. 10).
Tech infrastructure driving growth
Ohio’s performance reflects increasing investment in digital and industrial infrastructure, particularly in energy-intensive and compute-heavy sectors.
- Data center expansion: Ohio hosts 224 data centers, placing it among the top states nationally. A $4.2 billion, 10-gigawatt facility in Pike County—backed by SoftBank and American Electric Power—is expected to be among the largest globally.
- Site readiness: The state invested $175 million in site readiness last year, with at least 26 “SiteOhio Authenticated” properties available for immediate development.
- Mega-project pipeline: Recent projects tied to JobsOhio’s targeted industry strategy include Intel’s semiconductor fabs in Licking County, Anduril’s $910 million manufacturing campus in Pickaway County, Joby Aviation’s advanced air mobility facility, and the LG Energy Solution–Honda battery plant.
What’s next
State leaders are focusing on sustaining momentum through workforce development and continued investment in priority industries.
"This Top State recognition belongs to Team Ohio,” said JobsOhio President & CEO J.P. Nauseef. "That alignment is one of Ohio's greatest competitive advantages."
JobsOhio recently launched a $300 million experiential learning initiative, alongside programs such as WorkOhio, aimed at building talent pipelines aligned with employer demand. The state estimates it will need 540,000 STEM workers over the next decade.
While CNBC noted ongoing challenges in workforce and education rankings, Ohio’s overall performance reflects alignment between infrastructure investment, business climate, and long-term economic development strategy.
