CNBC's ninth annual study once again puts all 50 states to the test, measuring them on more than 60 different metrics in ten key categories of competitiveness.
Top States For Business

9. North Carolina

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Category Score 2015 Rank 2014 Rank
Workforce23716 (Tie)4
Cost of Doing Business22017 (Tie)23
Infrastructure19523 (Tie)21
Economy23764
Quality of Life13733 (Tie)34
Technology & Innovation1741012
Education953033
Business Friendliness901719
Cost of Living422314
Access to Capital501 (Tie)17
Overall147795

Economic Profile

Governor: Pat McCrory, Republican

Population: 9,943,964

GDP growth: 1.4 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2015): 5.7 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 5 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5.75 percent

Gasoline tax: 54 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aaa/stable

Major private employer: Wal-Mart

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Carolina FY 2014 CAFR

FULL LIST: 2015 TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS

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