LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is celebrating a report that found Michigan ranking as 6th in the nation for doing business in 2026.
Whitmer’s office said this is the fifth time that under her leadership, Michigan has ranked among the top 10 in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business. When her administration began in 2019, Michigan was ranked at 24.
Whitmer’s office said CNBC has ranked states’ business competitiveness for 20 years and scores all 50 states on metrics that reflect how companies make site selections for investment and where states focus their economic development efforts to grow jobs and business.
The following is the list of the top 10 states in 2026:
OhioNorth CarolinaVirginiaTexasMinnesotaMichiganGeorgiaFloridaTennesseeIndiana
Michigan scored a nine for infrastructure, 24 for economy, 21 for workforce, 15 for quality of life, four for the cost of doing business, 17 for technology and innovation, and 27 for business friendliness.
For comparison, Ohio scored a one for infrastructure, nine for economy, 35 for workforce, 18 for quality of life, one for cost of doing business, 10 for technology and innovation, and 16 for business friendliness.
Whitmer’s office said Michigan has maintained its rank as fourth for the cost of doing business. This metric measures the state’s ability to lower business expenses and the strength of its business tax climate, wage and utility costs, the cost of office and industrial space, property-casualty insurance, and forecasted premium increases.
It also includes incentives and tax breaks to reduce business costs and targeted incentives for development in disadvantaged communities, Whitmer’s office said.
View CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business rankings here.
Check out our Focus on 5 segments to see what Mid-Michigan businesses are up to.
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