North Carolina has it all—the beach to the east, the mountains to the west and great cities and towns in between. It’s known for its down-home hospitality, a diverse, melting pot of people, emerging innovations and an evolving business landscape that has again gained national attention.
Forbes recently announced its 10th-annual list of the Best States for Business and Careers naming the Tar Heel State the second best in the nation. The appointment is a jump up from last year’s third place designation making North Carolina the only state to be recognized in the top five states every year of Forbes’ Best State study.
According to the Forbes report, which focused on states with strong workforces, low business costs and pro-business regulatory environments:
“North Carolina has the smallest union workforce in percentage terms in the U.S., which keeps costs down. Labor costs are 10% below the national average and fifth lowest in the U.S., according to Moody’s Analytics. The state also boasts a strong labor force and business-friendly incentive, legal and regulatory environments.
North Carolina attracted more new facilities and expansions in 2014 than any other state, according to Site Selection magazine. The influx has continued in 2015 with multiple major expansions. Novo Nordisk announced plans in August to invest more than $1 billion for a bio-manufacturing facility and more than double its workforce in North Carolina with an additional 700 jobs. A month earlier software firm Interactive Intelligence detailed plans to create 200 new jobs in Durham. Both companies cited the benefits of the Research Triangle Park area with its wealth of technical talent and strong universities.”
To read the full Forbes article on the “The Best States for Business and Careers 2015,” click here.