Ohio Ranks First as Top State for Business by CNBC

Speaker of the Ohio House Matt Huffman (R-Lima) today applauded the announcement that the State of Ohio has been named number one in the nation for business, according to CNBC America's Top States for Business rankings.

"I want to congratulate the many members of the Ohio General Assembly who have supported legislation over the last 15 years that led to this accomplishment," said Speaker Huffman. "Through responsible policies and investments, including the elimination of Ohio's estate tax, flattening the personal income tax, business income deductions, regulatory reform, free market energy creation, substantial support for vocational training, tools for state and local economic development, and much more, we have continued to make Ohio the best place to live, work, raise a family, and do business."

Since 2007, CNBC has ranked all 50 states based on ten categories of competitiveness including infrastructure, economy, workforce, and quality of life. The states with the most points are considered America's Top States for Business. Previously, Ohio rose from #7 in 2024 to #5 in 2025, and now #1 in 2026.

Ohio House Republicans have spearheaded a variety of impactful initiatives over the years, helping to maintain a favorable regulatory climate and addressing the issues that matter most to Ohioans: providing tax relief, creating jobs, boosting energy generation, and improving access to workforce training, affordable housing, and more.

BOOSTING COMMUNITIES: Ohio's most recent Capital Budget allocates millions of dollars to fund hundreds of community projects across Ohio, making renovations to communities, schools, and neighborhoods; further establishing Ohio as the best place to do business, live, work, and raise a family.

The state has also invested over $415 million for the All Ohio Future Fund and $900 million for brownfield remediation in recent years, increasing the number of shovel-ready job sites across the state.

BOLSTERING OHIO'S ECONOMY: The Ohio House recently passed legislation that brings Ohio's Budget Stabilization Fund balance to over $4 billion, reinforcing Ohio's strong fiscal foundation and long-term economic stability. Ohio also holds a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies.

IMPLEMENTING A FLAT TAX: Additionally, Republicans in the legislature have continued to phase down the state income tax in recent years, providing savings for Ohioans. The state's most recent budget plan took the top tax bracket down from 3.5% to 3.125% in tax year 2025 and down to 2.75% in tax year 2026, and into the future. The move to a flat tax makes Ohio more competitive with other states, simplifies the tax code, and spurs revenue.

INCREASING ENERGY GENERATION: Through House Bill 15, Ohio House Republicans created a comprehensive strategy to ensure Ohio can meet the growing electricity demand created by business growth and economic development. This law helps significantly boost the development underway into both behind-the-meter and grid-connected projects, resulting in more energy generation for businesses and Ohio residents.

STRENGTHENING OHIO'S TOP INDUSTRIES: The legislature continues to support Ohio's top industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and defense industries, through legislation that drives innovation, creates and retains good, high-paying jobs, and keeps Ohio competitive.

DELIVERING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF: To help provide significant property tax relief for Ohioans, the House championed five pieces of legislation late last year that work to curb tax hikes and deliver direct property tax relief, totaling more than $3 billion in savings. Most recently, the Legislature allocated $350 million to secure additional property tax relief for Homestead Exemption recipients.

ESTABLISHING NEW HOUSING PROGRAMS: To support businesses expanding in Ohio, the House created the Welcome Home Ohio Program, which has built and/or rehabbed 440 single-family houses for Ohioans over the last two years. The House also established two new housing initiatives in the State Operating Budget to encourage housing development and incentivize local governments to adopt pro-housing policies, particularly near major economic development projects.

JOBSOHIO: JobsOhio was created through House Bill 1 of the 129th General Assembly, which Governor Kasich signed into law in 2011.

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