LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) – Michigan has ranked sixth, its highest rank ever, in CNBC’s top 10 states for business list.

This is the fourth time that Michigan has been ranked inside the top 10 since the list was started in 2007. This is the third straight year that the state has made it in the top 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

The list considers many factors, such as cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, infrastructure and economy.

“Michigan is on the move, and I am so proud that we just reached our highest ever rank in CNBC’s list as a top ten state for doing business,” said Gov. Whitmer. “We’re on the rise because all across the state, we’re bringing people together to create jobs, bring advanced manufacturing home, lower the cost of job training, and fix our damn roads. This national recognition is yet another sign that we’re making progress, and to keep our momentum going strong, we will keep a close eye on any impact that uncertainty caused by national tariffs and federal budgets could have on our state’s economy. Here in Michigan, we will continue rolling up our sleeves and getting things done.”

Michigan was ranked nine in 2024 and 10 in 2023. Before that, the highest Michigan was ever ranked was seven in 2016.

Michigan improved its rank in several sub-categories as well, and Gov. Whitmer listed what has been done that may have contributed to the changes:

Four for cost of doing business, up eight spots from last year. Cut red tape to help businesses build and expand in Michigan faster, cut taxes for small businesses and set up programs to help them develop their workforce.

13 for workforce, up five spots from last year. Established Michigan Reconnect, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the Community College Guarantee, putting 250,000+ on path to higher education and skills training while saving thousands of dollars.

14 for quality of life, up ten spots from last year. Cut taxes for retirees and working families, made largest ever investments to build housing and revitalize downtowns, expanded free pre-K, started feeding all public-school students free breakfast and lunch in school.

15 for infrastructure, up nine spots from last year. On track this year to fix, repair, or replace 24,500 lane miles of road and 1,900 bridges since 2019.

18 for economy, up twenty spots from last year. Brought in tens of thousands of jobs in autos, auto parts, semiconductors, clean energy, and so much more.

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