News Summary
North Carolina has been recognized as the best state for business in a recent evaluation, topping rankings due to its strong economy, skilled workforce, and appealing business environment. This title reflects significant investments, notably Amazon’s $10 billion in AI infrastructure, and highlights affordable living and favorable corporate taxes. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning labor rights and quality of life, which may impact the state’s sustainable growth and appeal to new talent.
Raleigh, North Carolina – Top State for Business in 2025
North Carolina has been officially ranked as the best state for business in 2025, according to a recent comprehensive evaluation. The state secured the number one spot based on several key criteria including economy, infrastructure, workforce quality, cost of doing business, and overall business-friendliness. This recognition highlights North Carolina’s notable economic growth and its appeal to both corporate entities and individual residents.
Factors Contributing to North Carolina’s High Ranking
The ranking emphasizes North Carolina’s solid economy, a highly skilled workforce, and a welcoming environment for corporate investments. Noteworthy recent developments include a significant investment by Amazon in the state, amounting to $10 billion towards artificial intelligence infrastructure in June 2025. Such major investments significantly bolster the economic landscape and signal confidence from large corporations in North Carolina’s business climate.
Economics experts underline the state’s affordability as a core reason for its top position. The cost of living remains relatively lower compared to many other states, and the state boasts a favorable corporate tax environment, with recent tax reductions aiding business retention and expansion. These financial advantages, coupled with mobility and lifestyle benefits, play a vital role in attracting and maintaining skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
North Carolina outperformed other economically prominent states, including Texas, Florida, and Virginia, which follow in the rankings. This progress is partly driven by the state’s strategic focus on creating an inviting economic space through government policies and infrastructure improvements.
Growing Appeal for Young Professionals and Students
Raleigh, the state’s capital, has been identified as the top city nationally for college graduates seeking entry-level jobs. A noteworthy trend among university students, particularly from Elon University, is the increasing rate of graduates opting to stay and work within North Carolina. This shift is supported by the availability of internships, job opportunities, and an attractive quality of life that appeals to the younger workforce.
Recent university events, such as the September 2025 Senior Kickoff at Elon, highlight the enthusiasm of new graduates preparing to enter the workforce. Students have expressed pride in their academic accomplishments and a desire to contribute to sectors like environmental science, reflecting the depth of talent that the state continues to cultivate.
Labor Rights and Quality of Life Challenges
Despite its economic successes, North Carolina faces criticism in areas such as labor rights and quality of life. The state ranks poorly on labor protections, holding a 52nd place among U.S. states in the overall work environment. It has not increased its minimum wage in over 16 years, maintaining a rate of $7.25 per hour, which is considered insufficient for supporting working families.
In contrast, neighboring states like Virginia have higher minimum wages—approximately $12.41 per hour. Reports indicate that stronger labor policies are often correlated with healthier economic conditions, yet North Carolina continues to lag behind in this aspect.
The state also scores low on quality of life measures, earning a C- grade, with rising living costs contributing to financial pressures on residents. Additionally, North Carolina has restrictive “right-to-work” laws, which have been criticized for limiting workers’ rights and reducing collective bargaining power.
Impact on Women and Early Childhood Education
Recent data highlights that working women in North Carolina face notable challenges, especially regarding affordable childcare and paid family leave. The state ranks lowest among Southeastern states for preschool enrollment of 3-year-olds and second lowest for 4-year-olds, indicating gaps in early childhood education access.
Organizations advocating for labor reforms and women’s policies emphasize the importance of raising the minimum wage in line with living costs and introducing paid sick leave to support working families more effectively.
Conclusion
While North Carolina’s economic position as the premier business state in 2025 demonstrates its robust economic growth and investment climate, ongoing issues related to labor rights, wages, and quality of life remain areas for improvement. As the state continues to attract large investments and young talent, addressing these challenges is likely to be critical for sustainable, inclusive growth in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- Elon News Network: CNBC Names North Carolina Top State for Business in 2025
- WB Journal: Shark Tank Manufacturer Moving HQ to North Carolina
- Business Insider: Moved from NYC to Charlotte, North Carolina
- NC Newsline: NC Labor Day 2025 – Best for Business, Worst for Workers
- News Observer: Business News in North Carolina
- Wikipedia: North Carolina
- Google Search: North Carolina Business News
- Google Scholar: North Carolina Business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina
- Google News: North Carolina 2025
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
