Overview

• CNBC’s 2025 ranking incorporates new trade-war and federal budget risk metrics among its 128 measures, boosting North Carolina back to No. 1.
• Amazon’s announcement of a $10 billion data center underlines growing corporate investment driven by the state’s infrastructure and workforce strengths.
• Collaborations between the UNC System and community colleges have cultivated a skilled labor pool that helped North Carolina place third in economy and fourth in workforce.
• Republican-led reforms since 2011 have cut corporate and personal tax rates and eased regulations to sustain a low-cost, business-friendly climate.
• North Carolina’s fiscal health is reflected in a AAA bond rating from Moody’s, Fitch and S&P, alongside 0.8% GDP growth in Q1 2025 and a 3.7% unemployment rate.