North Carolina named number one in workforce development by Site Selection magazine
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — On Monday, ‘Site Selection‘ magazine ranked North Carolina the top state for workforce development for 2026.
Governor Josh Stein highlighted the ranking during his visit to Machine Specialties INC in Whitsett.
“North Carolina’s strength is our people,” said Governor Josh Stein. “They power our economy. North Carolina is already the top state for business; now we are the top state for workforce. In 2025, North Carolina had our best year of job announcements ever. We must continue to invest in our people and expand pathways that prepare more people for the career opportunities being built here. With strategic leadership from my Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, North Carolina will not be outworked when it comes to workforce development.”
Last year, North Carolina was ranked “America’s Top State for Business.” North Carolina has now earned another top spot among all states, this time for the state’s investment in strengthening its talented workforce.
Since taking office in January 2025, Governor Stein has announced business expansions or new projects that will total more than $24 billion of new capital investment in North Carolina and create more than 35,000 new good-paying jobs – a record-breaking year. North Carolina has the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and a growing clean energy economy, with more than 100,000 North Carolinians in clean energy jobs. Last month, the Governor announced $7.2 million in Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) grants that will strengthen economic growth and workforce development infrastructure in the state’s most economically distressed counties.
