North Carolina Ranked Top State For Business For 2nd Year In A Row

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper took to social media today to share the news that for the 2nd year in a row, North Carolina has been named the top state for business by CNBC. North Carolina took the top spot on the list with our neighbors Virginia (2), Tennesee (3), and Georgia (4) not far behind. Rounding out the top 5 is Minnesota. Our neighbors to the south in the Palmetto State, well they came in 27th far behind the rest of the region.

North Carolina's highest scores came in the areas of "workforce", "economy", "tech and innovation", and "access to capital". These were among the 10 categories made up of 86 total metrics that each state was ranked in.  CNBC says that their "study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves." They emphasize that these rankings are not based on opinions they are based on data. The worst state for business? Alaska. Which does make sense.

What great news for the economy, job seekers, and business owners in the state of North Carolina. Not only does this represent how things currently are in the state. It also can be used in the decision for other companies to bring jobs to the area. Or for individuals to choose North Carolina to start a business.

According to CNBC for North Carolina to repeat as the top state for business in back-to-back years is a "rare feat". One of the wins they site include a $130 million investment by Bosch in Lincolnton. Additionally, North Carolina will be getting a $458 million biomanufacturing facility in Greensboro from ProKidney. Now the only question remaining is can we make it a three-peat next year?

Read more about why North Carolina was ranked CNBC's Top State For Business here.

View the full CNBC rankings here.

It is so important to work at a place that makes you happy. Nobody wants to go to work every day feeling miserable. What kind of lifestyle is that? Not one I want to live.

America's labor paradigm shifted after the pandemic. Apparently, where you work does matter. Not just the job, but the state it is in. TOP Data conducted an in-depth analysis of the Best and Worst States for a Job in 2022 to identify which states have the best work situations in this new environment.

In order to determine what are the best and worst states to live in, TOP Data compared the 50 states across five key dimensions:

1. State Economy
2. Compensation & Benefits
3. Job Market
4. Quality of Life
5. Business Friendliness

Using 51 metrics organized into 5 key indicators of job satisfaction and opportunity, the 2022 Best States for a Job Rankings showed that North Carolina ranked one of the top states in the nation. The following are some insights for the state and the top 15 states.

North Carolina has one of the Strongest Economies in the Country. Ranking 4th in this category (State Economy), the state is among the top 10 states with the highest percentage of GDP growth, one of the highest credit ratings, and one of the lowest debt rates in the country.