(The Center Square) – Corporate site selection and economic development magazine Area Development again ranks South Carolina a leading destination in the 2025 Top States for Business.
Georgia is first for the 12th consecutive year.
South Carolina, No. 18 in the CNBC best states for business ratings, has been top four all 18 years of the rankings and runner-up eight times while never hitting first. The lowest ranking of fifth came in 2018.
Texas, North Carolina and Ohio rounded out the top five.
“Speed, workforce alignment, and energy infrastructure now define the best states for doing business – not just incentives or tax breaks,” the report says.
The methodology this year changed to split energy infrastructure into “energy availability” and “energy cost.” The report says this best analyzes the “unique challenges posed by the modern grid.”
“We also continue to elevate the importance of water access, permitting speed, and site readiness – all increasingly make-or-break factors in large capital investment decisions,” Area Development said. “The states that perform well aren’t just ‘pro business.’ They’re aligned.”
Across 15 categories judged, South Carolina netted first place in business incentives programs; overall cost of doing business; and site readiness programs. It was second in availability of sites; cooperative local and state government; and favorable regulatory framework.
The state didn’t make the top 10 for climate risk and resilience and water availability.
The other categories judged are access to qualified labor; corporate tax structure; energy availability; energy cost; favorable property tax; logistics and infrastructure; and workforce training programs.
