NC takes top spot in another business climate ranking; Raleigh also scores well

RALEIGH – On the industry and talent recruiting battlefronts there’s more good news for the Raleigh metro area and the state of North Carolina.

In fact, North Carolina ranks No. 1 in the new Business Facilities ranking of states. It was No. 2 a year ago.

The state earned the top spot in the magazine’s “flagship Best Business Climate category.”

Citing recent economic development wins, the magazine reported: “In 2022, the Tar Heel State has already announced significant investments from expanding companies—$104M from four companies within one week in May alone—as well as attracting new business, including those from the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry.”

Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove added: “North Carolina hit a new level for business attraction and retention over the past 12 months, and our ranking of the state for Best Business Climate recognizes what an increasing number of companies have recognized by locating or expanding there,.”

“The state’s move to the top of the leaderboard this year is a recognition of the success of a broad-based economic development approach from teams across the state,” she added. “This ranking also looks beyond the sheer numbers, evaluating diversity of growth sectors, incentives, workforce development and training, and education partnerships.”

The rankings are listed in the 18^th Annual Rankings Report by Business Facilities magazine.

But the good news didn’t stop there.

“The Raleigh metro and North Carolina landed near the top of more than 10 indexes,” Wake Economic Development points out. “This is more great recognition for the state following CNBC’s recent ranking as America’s Top State for Business.”

The Raleigh metro area rankings include a blend of Cary, Durham and Research Triangle Park data (see list).