North Carolina is a great place for business.  With nationally ranked universities, a highly skilled and educated workforce, a competitive cost structure, and strategic eastern seaboard location, North Carolina offers unparalleled support to new industry and innovation serving our nation’s defense and security needs. 

North Carolina's Nationally-Ranked Business Climate

• No. 1 ranking by Site Selection magazine as the state with the top business climate five of the last six years;
• No. 1 ranking in the Southeast in attracting new industrial plants and No. 3 nationally, by Site Selection;
• Lowest business tax burden in the nation, shared with four other states, according to Ernst & Young; and
• 3rd best state for business according to Forbes Magazine.

North Carolina’s Core Competencies and Competitive Advantages

• Major Military Installations
• Strategic Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force bases; relocation of FORSCOM and USARC to Fort Bragg; highly skilled post-service personnel; proximity to Washington DC and DoD customers
• Research and Development, Technology and Innovation
• World renown research universities and Research Triangle Park , NC Biotechnology Center and biotech cluster
• Educated and Skilled Labor Force
• High retention of college graduates, top-quality community college system and skills development programs
• Infrastructure
• Telecommunications networks, transportation system, utility cost and service
• Business Environment
• Labor costs and skilled workforce, high retention of college graduates, strategic eastern seaboard location
• Quality of Life
• Relatively low cost of living; proximity to mountains, beaches; top quality public university system

Read why Site Selection Magazine ranked North Carolina #1 in business climate for the fifth time in six years