Gov. Stein Highlights NC’s Top Economy Ranking After Signing State Budget

Governor Josh Stein is highlighting North Carolina’s continued economic success after signing the state’s first full budget in more than two years.

CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings placed North Carolina first for economy, second overall for business, and third for workforce. The state ranked eighth for business friendliness and for technology innovation, 13th for infrastructure, and 34th for quality of life out of all 50 states.

"This is the sixth straight year that North Carolina has ranked in the Top 2 states for business," Stein said. "I’m proud that we announced a record-breaking number of jobs in 2025, expanding opportunity to every corner of the state."

Stein said the rankings also show the need for continued work to make North Carolina more affordable, pointing to housing, child care, health care and utility costs.

Last week, Stein signed Senate Bill 257, putting into law the state’s first comprehensive budget in more than two years. The budget includes teacher pay increases, full Medicaid funding, salary increases for public safety officers, and investments in community colleges, child care, cybersecurity, infrastructure and Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

Education leaders, business groups, and law enforcement officials praised portions of the budget, while some said additional investments will still be needed.

Public safety officials, including leaders from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation, said funding increases will help with recruitment and retention efforts.

Western North Carolina leaders also highlighted recovery funding included in the budget, including support for rebuilding homes and infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Stein said the budget is a starting point, not the final step. North Carolina’s minimum wage remains one of the lowest in the nation, at $7.25 per hour, which has also been the federal minimum wage since the Obama administration.

The calculated "living wage" for a single adult to cover basic needs is $22.47/hour statewide. A 2025 "comfortable living" study recommended an annual salary of over $90,000 for a single adult, while a family of four requires over $210,000.

"North Carolina is growing and thriving," Stein said. "Let’s keep building our success story by investing in people and lowering the cost of living."