COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — Ohio has been named the nation's top state for business in CNBC's 2026 rankings, marking the first time the state has claimed the No. 1 spot since the network began publishing its annual rankings.
Ohio climbed from fifth place in 2025 and 34th in 2010. CNBC credited the state's low business costs, strong infrastructure and large inventory of shovel-ready development sites for the top ranking.
“I think a lot of it has to do just with our people. Our people are welcoming. They're people who get up in the morning and go to work. Woody Hayes said you win with people. We continue to win with people and we're investing in the future. It's not just getting ready for jobs right now. We're certainly working on that, but it's also the early childhood development that we're doing, early childhood education,” says Gov. Mike DeWine, (R) Ohio.
The CNBC rankings also highlighted Ohio's housing costs as among the most affordable in the country.
“Ohio is just red hot and it's our time. I've been saying this for the last few years. It's our time in history. It's the Midwest time. We lead the Midwest, but now we lead the Midwest, we lead the country,” adds DeWine.
Over the past five years, Ohio has invested about $1 billion to clean up redevelopment sites across the state. State leaders have also invested in higher education and career technical education programs to help prepare the next generation of workers for in-demand jobs.
