Ohio is America’s Top State for Business in 2026

Summary

CNBC announces Ohio as America's Top State for Business in 2026. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine discusses the state's pro-business policies, including JobsOhio privatization, tax advantages, and water management, while acknowledging challenges in education, workforce, and property taxes. The governor backs Vivek Ramaswamy for the next governor and defends data center development.

• Ohio achieves No. 1 ranking in CNBC's 2026 Top States for Business study after 20 years of analysis.
• State strengths include low cost of doing business, top infrastructure, and access to capital.
• Weaknesses highlighted are education (23rd) and workforce (35th), prompting $300 million investment for training.
• Governor DeWine credits JobsOhio, a privatized economic development agency, for competitive advantage.
• Data center tax break paused; governor says data centers must pay fair share and recycle water.
• Ohio's property taxes are among nation's highest; governor says action taken and future efforts planned.
• Governor DeWine endorses Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, noting close race with Amy Acton.
• Ohio's political stability and centrist governance are pitched as business-friendly predictability.