Commonwealth Maintains National Leadership with Top-Five Finish for Eighth Consecutive Year
ARLINGTON, Va. (July 15, 2026) — Arlington Economic Development is celebrating Virginia’s rise to No. 3 in CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier destinations for business investment, innovation and economic growth.
Virginia improved from No. 4 in 2025 to No. 3 in 2026, trailing only Ohio and North Carolina. The annual CNBC study evaluated all 50 states using 138 competitiveness metrics across 10 key categories, with the greatest emphasis placed on infrastructure, economy and workforce.
The Commonwealth also ranked among the nation’s leaders in several critical business categories, highlighting the strengths that continue to attract employers, entrepreneurs and investors.
Virginia’s 2026 CNBC Rankings at a Glance
- Overall Ranking: No. 3 nationally
- Infrastructure: No. 2
- Top 10 Rankings In:
- Technology & Innovation
- Quality of Life
- Education
- Workforce
- Access to Capital
- Infrastructure
- Top-Five Overall Finish Every Year Since 2018
- Six No. 1 Overall Rankings, more than any other state in CNBC’s history
Arlington Helps Drive Virginia’s Competitive Advantage
Local leaders said Virginia’s continued success reflects the strength of Arlington’s innovation ecosystem, workforce and strategic investments.
“Virginia’s rise in the rankings is an important signal for Arlington and for the region,” said Matt de Ferranti, Chair of the Arlington County Board. “Our County will continue working with state, regional and private-sector partners to strengthen the fundamentals that matter most to businesses and residents: economic resilience, access to opportunity, infrastructure, innovation and quality of life.”
Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz said the recognition reinforces the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, housing, workforce development and innovation.
“Arlington’s economy is deeply connected to Virginia’s overall competitiveness,” Schwartz said. “This recognition reinforces the value of continued investments in infrastructure, talent, housing, innovation and community assets that help employers and workers choose Arlington and choose Virginia.”
National Innovation Quarter Strengthens Regional Growth
Arlington continues expanding its role in Virginia’s economic future through transformative initiatives such as the National Innovation Quarter (National IQ), a new innovation district spanning Arlington and Alexandria.
Launched in 2026, National IQ is designed to unite:
- Industry leaders
- Government agencies
- Universities
- Entrepreneurs
- Technology innovators
Founding partners include:
- Amazon
- Northrop Grumman
- SAIC
- Virginia Tech
- Arlington Economic Development
- Alexandria Economic Development Partnership
- JBG SMITH
- National Landing Business Improvement District
- Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
The initiative is focused on advancing next-generation technologies, fostering innovation and strengthening national competitiveness.
Business Leaders See Arlington as a Competitive Destination
Anna Nissinen, Chief Economic Development Officer and Director of Arlington Economic Development, said the CNBC ranking reflects the advantages companies experience when locating and expanding in Arlington.
“Virginia’s continued national leadership in the CNBC rankings reflects what businesses see every day in Arlington: exceptional talent, unmatched connectivity, strong public-private collaboration and an innovation ecosystem built for the future,” Nissinen said. “Arlington is proud to help drive the Commonwealth’s competitiveness through our focus on business investment, placemaking, tourism, arts and culture, and next-generation industries that are shaping the regional economy.”
Nissinen added that Arlington remains well-positioned to capitalize on Virginia’s growing national reputation.
“Arlington is competing from a position of strength. Our talent base, strategic location, innovation assets and quality of life create a powerful value proposition for businesses looking to grow. As Virginia continues to earn national recognition, Arlington will keep advancing that momentum through a collaborative, future-focused approach to economic competitiveness.”
Virginia Continues Investing in Long-Term Competitiveness
The CNBC recognition follows ongoing statewide efforts to strengthen Virginia’s business climate through investments in:
- Business-ready development sites
- Infrastructure improvements
- Workforce development
- Expedited permitting
- Economic competitiveness initiatives
These investments continue positioning Virginia—and communities like Arlington—for sustained economic growth and business expansion.
About Arlington Economic Development
Arlington Economic Development (AED) works to strengthen Arlington’s economy by supporting business attraction, expansion and retention while advancing tourism, real estate development, arts and culture, and place-based economic development strategies. Through collaboration with public and private partners, AED helps ensure Arlington remains one of the nation’s most competitive locations for businesses, talent and innovation.
