Ohio Leads Midwest, Lands in Top 5 States for Business in Area Development's 2026 Rankings

Takes Top 5 overall a third time with a standout performance in sites and infrastructure location factors

COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 30, 2026) - Ohio is the Midwest's top state for business and ranks No. 5 nationally in Area Development's 2026 Top States for Doing Business, JobsOhio announced today. It is Ohio's second consecutive year leading the Midwest and its third top five finish since 2023.

A respected benchmark in economic development, the 2026 survey responses spanned 20 location factors, which the analysis groups into four broad dimensions of state competitiveness: workforce, talent and innovation; sites, utilities and infrastructure; government responsiveness and project execution; and cost, tax and long-term operating risk.

"Ohio's momentum is not slowing down," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "Our growing reputation as a top state for business shows we can compete and win at the highest levels, and our staying power reflects decades of hard work by partners across the state to strengthen our economy and workforce."

Ohio's strongest showing came in sites, utilities and infrastructure, where it is one of only two states to rank in the top 10 across all five factors - for water and wastewater capacity (No. 2), site readiness programs (No. 4), logistics and transportation infrastructure (No. 4), energy availability and grid capacity (No. 5), and availability of industrial sites and buildings (No. 6). Ohio continues to expand its inventory of certified, industry-ready sites through Ohio's Site Inventory Program. Since launching in 2020 with $148 million, the program has attracted nearly $1.8 billion in private investment across 18 million square feet of new industrial and commercial space at 54 sites around the state.

"Area Development's recognition confirms that the collaborative Team Ohio model of economic development is giving companies the confidence they need to invest and succeed here," said JobsOhio CEO J.P. Nauseef. "This is why businesses keep choosing Ohio. It's why the state added 12,000 more residents than we lost in 2025. And it's why Ohio's momentum isn't slowing down."

Consultants ranked Ohio No. 3 for access to skilled manufacturing labor and No. 5 for engineering talent and industry cluster strength. Earlier this year, JobsOhio announced its $300 million Experiential Learning Initiative, a 10-year commitment to offering financial incentives to employers who invest in experiential learning. Through the Initiative's first program launched last month, each employee who completes an approved training pathway can bring employers up to $10,000.

Area Development Magazine's Top States for Business ranking is based on a survey of corporate site selectors and economic development consultants who evaluate states based on their recent project experiences and overall business climate assessments. Read the complete 2026 Top States for Doing Business report at AreaDevelopment.com. To learn more about why businesses thrive in the Buckeye State, contact JobsOhio today.

About JobsOhio

JobsOhio, Ohio's private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

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