Georgia No. 2 on CNBC top states for business list

Georgia just missed taking the No. 1 spot in an annual “top states for business” ranking by financial network CNBC.

The state came in 2nd behind Washington, where technology and innovation, high quality of life and a strong workforce helped offset a higher cost of living and middling infrastructure.

The CNBC ranking compiles scores in 10 weighted categories that affect business performance and appeal.

Georgia’s strengths included a strong and diverse economy (1st among states) workforce quality (3rd), infrastructure (4th) and access to capital (9th).

Its weakest showings were in technology and innovation (23rd), cost of doing business (26th), quality of life (28th) and education (33rd).

Here are the top 10…

1. Washington

2. Georgia

3. Minnesota

4. Texas

5. North Carolina

6. Colorado

7. Virginia

8. Utah

9. Tennessee

10. Massachusetts

…and the bottom 5

46. Maine

47. Alaska

48. Mississippi

49. Hawaii

50. West Virginia

Source: CNBC

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