ATLANTA — Minnesota has replaced Georgia at No. 1 in CNBC’s annual poll ‘America’s Top States for Business.’
Atlanta Business Chronicle reported early Wednesday that Georgia has slipped to No. 5 in the rankings. The winner and rankings for all 50 states had not yet been released.
The list is out and the Top 10 states are:
• No. 1- Minnesota
• No. 2 – Texas
• No. 3 – Utah
• No. 4 – Colorado
• No. 5 – Georgia
• No. 6 – North Dakota
• No. 7 – Nebraska
• No. 8 – Washington
• No. 9 – North Carolina
• No. 10 – Iowa
Coming in last is Hawaii at No. 50.
CNBC said MInnesota was an unlikely choice for the top spot.
“Never since we began rating the states in 2007 has a high-tax, high-wage, union-friendly state made it to the top of our rankings, CNBC said. “But Minnesota does so well in so many other areas—like education and quality of life—that its cost disadvantages fade away.”
States are scored in 10 categories. Georgia scored 1,507 out of a possible 2,500 points. No. 1 Minnesota scored 1,584.
Georgia’s strongest category in the ninth annual poll is infrastructure, coming in No. 2.
The Peach State struggled in the quality of life category, due to a large percentage of people without health insurance. In the quality of life category, Georgia is ranked No. 36. And despite being one of the strongest states for job growth, unemployment is at 6.3 percent, well above the national average of 5.5 percent, CNBC said.
Georgia received kudos for having the busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Georgia’s largest private employer is Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and the largest industries are finance, insurance and real estate, CNBC noted.
