CNBC Ranks Georgia #2 State For Business

Up from #8 last year, CNBC’s Top State for Business in 2014 is moving back toward the top, missing the top spot by one point out of 2,500 points possible.

Georgia takes the No. 2 slot this year in America’s Top States for Business rankings. The Peach State finished with 1,616 (finishing one point above the No. 3 state, Minnesota), rising six spots this year due in part to its economy — the best in the nation, according to our study — boasting solid state finances and solid growth. The state also finishes near the top for Workforce (No. 3) and Infrastructure (No. 4).

However, there is room for improvement in the categories of Education, where it holds steady at No. 33, due to low test scores and spending; and Quality of Life, where it comes in at the bottom half of the category, at No. 28. Georgia is consistently adding jobs, but recovery has been difficult for the state.

While year to year fluctuations will happen and points on “quality of life” are going to end up being subjective, the overall takeaway is this: Many have mocked another company’s #1 ranking for years, but the consensus is that Georgia remains an excellent place to do business.