CNBC has named Ohio the top state in its 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings – the first time Ohio has held the No. 1 spot since the study launched in 2007.
This marks the first time a Midwestern state has led the rankings since 2015. Ohio climbed from No. 34 in 2010, to No. 5 in 2025, to No. 1 in 2026, capping five straight years of improvement and a two-decade transformation in infrastructure, workforce and business climate.
“This number one ranking proves that Ohio is the best place in America for business and all that comes along with it, including jobs, quality of life and opportunities for everyone to live up to their God-given potential. Ohio's long-term workforce and economic development strategy is working. 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.”
– Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
The CNBC rankings evaluated all 50 states across 138 metrics in 10 categories of competitiveness. Ohio’s performance was strongest in the categories CNBC weighed most heavily this year:
For Infrastructure, among other metrics within that category, Ohio has the fourth-largest interstate highway system and fourth-largest network of operating freight railroads in the country. It also has the fifth-highest volume of warehousing and storage capacity in the U.S.
For Ohio’s other A+ grade, Cost of Doing Business, the state has no corporate income tax. And in 2025, Ohio doubled the Commercial Activity Tax exclusion from $3 million to $6 million, exempting about 90% of Ohio-based businesses.
According to JobsOhio, the ranking is a signal to companies and site selectors worldwide that Ohio — and our region — offers a proven environment for investment and growth. It strengthens every active project conversation we have and raises the profile of our communities in national and international site searches.
“This Top State recognition belongs to Team Ohio. Ohio succeeds because the state government, JobsOhio, the Ohio Department of Development, the JobsOhio Network Partners, regional economic development organizations, higher education, employers, workforce partners, Ohio business advocates, and local communities all work toward the same goal. That alignment is one of Ohio's greatest competitive advantages.”
– J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President and CEO
Northwest Ohio certainly contributed to this No. 1 ranking particularly with its dynamic transportation network, which features the intersection of three of the country’s most traveled interstates (I-75, I-80, I-90). And Toledo was just named as having the lowest cost of living in the U.S. by FinanceBuzz.
Companies are taking advantage of these business assets, evidenced by Northwest Ohio’s success in attracting new investment and jobs. Over the past five years, regional businesses have added nearly 17,000 new jobs with investment approaching $17 billion.
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I-75/I-80/I-90
“The Regional Growth Partnership has long supported the state and JobsOhio’s efforts in creating and nurturing a positive business climate that fosters continued investment from companies. Along with our inherent business assets, our prioritization of site infrastructure and our commitment to talent attraction and workforce development, we will continue putting business first to further expand our regional economy."
– Dean Monske, President & CEO, RGP
Ohio’s rise has coincided with a string of the largest economic development projects in state history, guided by JobsOhio 2030 and its super sector strategy — cross-cutting trillion-dollar industries including Advanced Aerospace & Defense, Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Life Sciences & Biotechnology, and Semiconductors & Microelectronics.
That No. 1 ranking is backed by results tracked over the last seven years. JobsOhio has reported 159,000 net new jobs created over that period, with annual payroll having grown 35% to over $9.2 billion. Capital investment has more than doubled to over $99 billion, an increase of 117%.
About the Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.