The only publication dedicated to business in Onslow County onslowbusiness.com
August 3, 2025 Vol. 2 Issue 8
CNBC Names North Carolina Best State for Business CNBC ranks the states across the country each year, based on a number of factors related to business operations and the attractiveness of the state to new business. The organization explains that they “scored all 50 states on 135 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness.” They add that fundamentals of the study identify “the factors companies consider year after when making site selection decisions, and that states pitch in their efforts to woo business.” New metrics for the 2025 study included “metrics to gauge the states’ risks from a trade war and a shrinking federal budget.” CNBC emphasizes that they “use data from a variety of sources to measure the states’ performance.” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein’s office issued the following release in response to CNBC’s announcement: "This confirms what we have known for a long time – that North Carolina is the best state in the country for business,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our people, state’s business climate, top research universities and excellent community college system, infrastructure, and high
quality of life help both companies and workers thrive. I want to thank leaders like former Governor Roy Cooper and state legislators of both parties who have helped North Carolina create a welcoming climate. I am proud of the progress our state has made, and we are just getting started.” “This recognition reflects our relentless commitment to building a competitive, welcoming, and dynamic economy that creates opportunity for everyone,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “From our world-class workforce to our strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation, North Carolina continues to lead the way as a place where businesses thrive, and communities prosper. We share this success with all of our partners across the public and private sectors and look forward to building on this momentum." “North Carolina’s recognition as the best state for business for the third year in the last four is a testament to an economic development strategy that relies on the power of partnerships,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the EDPNC. "Our strength lies in our ability to connect companies with the workforce,
infrastructure, sites, industry ecosystems, and innovation resources needed to support their growth, as well as a business-friendly environment that’s especially valuable in times of economic uncertainty. From one of the nation’s top community college systems and the nation’s oldest public university to our modern transportation networks and robust utility capacity, North Carolina is built for growth.” The CNBC study measures states across 10 categories of competitiveness. Weights are assigned to each category based on how frequently states cite it as a selling point. States can earn a maximum of 2,500 points, and North Carolina scored 1,614 to take the top spot. North Carolina has been the stop state for business for three out of the last four years, and the state’s biggest strengths this year are Economy, Workforce, and Business Friendliness.
COMPLIMENTARY
Making a difference for businesses in and around the Greater Onslow County area: Jacksonville, Swansboro, Richlands, Camp Lejeune, Holly Ridge, Hubert, Sneads Ferry, North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and beyond.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Swansboro’s Growth .............. 2 New NC Laws ....... 3 Chamber Corner ... 4 Networking Opportunities ....... 5 Blending Coffee and Community .......... 6 Ocean Innovation Conference ......... 7 Gulfstream Anchors Camp Davis ......... 8 Supporting Mothers at Work .............. 9 On the Rize in Richlands ............ 10 August: Champion Mindset .............. 12 E-commerce Tips .. 13 Carolina Museum of the Marine RFP ..... 14 Training Opportunities ....... 15 Business Success Summit .............. 16