Facts & Figures

Virginia’s stable economic climate and skilled workforce, combined with the state’s strong incentive offerings and business-friendly government policies, keep it on top of the leader board for Best Places For Business. Recent rankings include:

#1 Top State for Education
CNBC (2023)

#2 Best State for Higher Education
SmartAsset.com (2022)

#5 Best Places to Work in Manufacturing
SmartAsset.com (2022)

#2 State to Work in Tech
BestColleges (2022)

#1 State for Best Business Climate
Site Selection Magazine (2022)

2021 State of the Year for Best Business Climate
Business Facilities (2021)

#1 State for Tech Talent Pipeline
Business Facilities (2021)

#1 State for Best Business Climate
Business Facilities (2021)

#1 State for Business
CNBC (2021 & 2019)

One of the top 10 Emerging U.S. Industrial Markets to Watch in 2021 (Shenandoah Valley)
Colliers International (2021)

#10 Best Place to Work in Manufacturing (Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro MSA)
SmartAsset.com (2020)

#2 State for Best Business Climate
Business Facilities (2020)

#1 State in Prosperity Cup
Site Selection magazine (2019)

#1 State for Higher Education
SmartAsset.com (2021)

#1 State for Workforce Development – Atlantic Region
Site Selection magazine (2018)

#4 Top State in Nation for Business
CNBC (2018)

#10 Best City to Work in Tech (Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro MSA)
studentloanhero.com (2018)

#1 State for a Higher Education
SmartAsset.com (2017)

#5 Best State for Business
Forbes.com (2017)

#6 Top Ten States
Site Selection Prosperity Cup (2017)

#11 Top States for Doing Business
Area Development magazine (2017)

#29 Best 100 Towns in Virginia for Small Businesses (Fishersville)
Lendedu.com (2017)

#4 Augusta County ranked one of the smartest localities in VA for mortgages
SmartAsset (2016).

#1 Fishersville Ranked Best Place to Buy First-Time Home in Virginia (Stuarts Draft Ranked #6)
Nerdwallet.com (2015)

#1 State with Highest Quality of Life in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast
Forbes (2015)

#1 State for Regulatory Environment
Forbes (2015)

#2 State Labor Supply
Forbes (2015)

#4 Best State to Make a Living
Forbes (2015)

#5 Best State Quality of Life
Forbes (2015)