No. 1 For Business

The NC Chamber team works tirelessly every day of the year to advance the policies that achieve top rankings. Our efforts on behalf of our members create a climate that our state’s economic developers can sell and, perhaps even more importantly, help our state’s existing businesses grow and invest in their people, products, and communities.

CNBC Names North Carolina #1 State for Business

This is North Carolina’s third win in four years – and we only missed the top spot by three points last year!  Read more.

NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido joined Tim Boyum on Spectrum’s “Capital Tonight” to discuss the win. Watch Interview.  Gary also shared insights on North Carolina’s business climate in recent conversations with Spectrum News’ In Focus and on the Carolina Journal News Hour Podcast.

Governor Josh Stein’s Take on the Win

Given the changes in federal policy, CNBC’s Scott Cohn asked Governor Josh Stein about trying to stay competitive, “can you do it?”

Gov. Stein responded, “We will, we’ll figure out a way. Obviously, it’s not simple. Republicans and Democrats, we have our differences here in North Carolina, but we also know that having a strong, vibrant, growing economy, diversified, that is what works for our people. That is what gives us rising incomes, it gives us lower unemployment, it improves people’s quality of life. We will come together and figure out how to solve this problem.”

We could not agree more. Watch Gov. Stein’s full interview.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger Reacts 

The longtime leader of the North Carolina Senate provided the following comment to the NC Chamber regarding the ranking. Sen. Berger has been at the helm for many of the policy advances that created the business climate we now celebrate. We appreciate his leadership.

“North Carolina’s business climate has significantly transformed over the past 14 years thanks to the conservative policies implemented by the General Assembly. A continuing and firm commitment to lower taxes, together with a solid growth outlook and a stellar educational and workforce development landscape is a winning formula for our state.”

Read Sen. Berger’s full press release.

Full Breakdown of North Carolina’s Position in the Rankings

The CNBC criteria are divided into ten categories, and our state captured a top-five finish in three of those. Check out our ranking in each category, along with how that compares to 2024.

Area Development Names North Carolina 2025 Platinum Shovel Winner

“Whether it’s chips, drugs, batteries, or solar cells, North Carolina has emerged as a magnet for capital and innovation. Its well-coordinated ecosystem — from community colleges to logistics corridors — has proven to be more than ready for today’s advanced industries. That’s why, in 2025, North Carolina stands alone at the top of the Shovel Awards podium.”

But wait…there’s more!

Scroll on to see more of our state’s competitive accolades and click here to support the work that makes this happen.

The bottom line: North Carolina means business, let us advocate for yours.