Ohio has officially claimed the top spot in CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, rising from No. 34 in 2010 to No. 1 today.
That climb reflects a long-term strategy built across administrations, regions and public-private partnerships. The creation of JobsOhio in 2011 helped give the state a sharper economic development engine, a stronger regional partnership model and the ability to compete with greater speed, discipline and focus.
The results are unmistakable: Ohio has become one of the most competitive places in the country to grow, build and invest.
CNBC ranked Ohio No. 1 overall for the first time since the study launched in 2007, citing the state’s top-ranked infrastructure, low cost of doing business, market access, shovel-ready sites and competitive energy position. The study also recognized Ohio’s economic strength, access to capital, technology and innovation, and cost of living.
The Columbus Region has played a central role in Ohio’s rise. New federal data shows the Columbus metro added 20,607 jobs in 2025 and posted the fourth-fastest job growth rate among the nation’s 55 largest metros. Employment grew 1.9%, nearly 10 times the national rate and double our closest Midwest metro, while total wages grew 6%, the fastest pace among major Midwest metros.
That kind of growth is enabled by the way Ohio competes. Regions and communities across the state are winning transformative investments. JobsOhio and economic development leaders across the state work from a shared playbook that connects state strategy to regional business development and local execution. As a result, companies don’t navigate layers of bureaucracy when they choose Ohio — they get a single, coordinated team that can move from first conversation to shovels in the ground faster than anywhere in the country.
The Columbus Partnership, with our One Columbus and Smart Columbus teams, is proud to be part of Team Ohio. And we are ready for what comes next.
