Virginia Drops to Fourth in CNBC Business Rankings

Virginia has dropped from first to fourth place in CNBC's 2025 'Top States for Business' rankings, its lowest since 2018, largely due to federal workforce cuts under President Trump's administration affecting the state's heavily federal-dependent economy. North Carolina reclaimed the number one spot, followed by Texas and Florida. While Virginia continues to rank first in education and second in infrastructure, it also excels in quality of life, technology, business friendliness, and access to capital. The state's business costs and overall economic ranking have fallen, prompting debate over the root causes. Democrats, including Senator Tim Kaine and gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, blamed Trump-era tariffs and budget cuts, while Governor Glenn Youngkin defended fiscal discipline and highlighted efforts to support displaced workers. The discussion reflects ongoing concerns about the impact of federal policy shifts on Virginia's economic future.