North Carolina has the best business climate in the country, according to Forbes. The rankings were calculated based on more than 40 metrics that spanned six categories: business costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects & quality of life. The state has a high net migration rate – many more people have flooded into the state than have exited. The state also has one of the smallest number of unionized workers in terms of percent of total employment. Thus labor costs are 9 percent below the national average — sixth lowest in the country. Two years ago, North Carolina supplanted Utah as the best state for business. Utah had claimed the top spot six times in seven years from 2010-16, but dipped last year due to increasing business costs and a weakening economic outlook, Forbes said. But the state remains one of the best due to its business-friendly climate, low energy costs and increasing employment. * By Patch National Staff | Nov 29, 2018
Top 10 States For Business - Forbes, 2018
1- North Carolina
2- Utah
3- Texas
4- Virginia
5- Nebraska
6- Georgia
7- Florida
8- Colorado
9- Minnesota