Jul 9, 2026, 15:06

Best States and Companies for Business in 2026

2026年最適合經商的州與公司

Introduction

New reports from CNBC, TIME, and Statista show the best places for business in the US and Canada.

CNBC、TIME 和 Statista 的新報告顯示了美國與加拿大最適合經商的地方。

Main Body

Ohio is now the best state for business. It has the best roads and low costs. However, Ohio needs better schools and more skilled workers.

俄亥俄州現在是最適合經商的州。該州擁有最好的道路且成本較低。然而，俄亥俄州需要更好的學校和更多高技術工人。

Other states are changing. Arkansas is improving and has more jobs. Hawaii and Alaska are the worst states for business because they have high costs.

其他州的情況正在改變。阿肯色州正在進步且有更多工作機會。夏威夷與阿拉斯加則是最不適合經商的州，因為成本高昂。

TIME and Statista also ranked the best companies. They looked at three things: happy workers, money, and how companies help the planet.

TIME 和 Statista 也對最佳公司進行了排名。他們考察了三項指標：員工滿意度、財務狀況以及公司對地球的貢獻。

Conclusion

Ohio is the top state for business. Now, the best companies must care about their workers and the environment.

俄亥俄州是最適合經商的頂尖州分。現在，最佳公司必須關注其員工與環境。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Opposite' Bridge

In English, we use special words to change the direction of a sentence. This is how you move from simple A1 sentences to A2 flow.

The Magic Word: However Look at this pattern from the text: Ohio has best roads $\rightarrow$ However $\rightarrow$ Ohio needs better schools.

It works like a U-turn. You say something good, then you use However to say something bad (or vice versa).

Compare these two styles:

Basic: Ohio is great. Ohio has bad schools. (Choppy)
A2 Level: Ohio is great. However, it has bad schools. (Smooth)

More 'Contrast' pairs found in the text:

Improving $\leftrightarrow$ Worst
Low costs $\leftrightarrow$ High costs
Happy workers $\leftrightarrow$ Skilled workers (Need)

Quick Tip: Put a comma ( , ) after However when you start a sentence with it!

Vocabulary Learning

reports (n.)

Documents that give information about a specific subject

Example:I read the news reports about the economy.

skilled (adj.)

Having the training or experience to do a job well

Example:The company wants to hire skilled workers.

improving (v.)

Getting better

Example:My English is improving every day.

ranked (v.)

Put in a list based on quality or importance

Example:The city is ranked as the best place to live.

environment (n.)

The natural world, including air, land, and water

Example:We must protect the environment for the future.

Analysis of 2026 North American Corporate Competitiveness and State Business Rankings

2026年北美企業競爭力與州營商排名分析

Introduction

Recent data from CNBC, TIME, and Statista provide a detailed evaluation of the business environments in U.S. states and the performance of leading companies in the United States and Canada.

CNBC、TIME 與 Statista 最近的數據詳細評估了美國各州的營商環境，以及美國與加拿大領先企業的表現。

Main Body

The 2026 CNBC study names Ohio as the best U.S. state for business, showing a major improvement from its 30th-place rank in 2007. This success is caused by a strategic focus on infrastructure and the low cost of doing business, where Ohio now ranks first in both categories. Furthermore, the state benefits from its central location and the creation of 'ready-to-use' business sites. However, some challenges remain; Ohio ranks 35th for its workforce and 23rd in education. Consequently, JobsOhio is investing $300 million to improve STEM skills. Additionally, the growth of data centers has caused political tension, leading Governor DeWine to temporarily stop certain tax incentives.

2026年 CNBC 的研究將俄亥俄州列為美國最佳營商州，較 2007 年的第 30 名有顯著進步。這項成功歸功於對基礎設施和低營商成本的策略性關注，俄亥俄州目前在這兩個類別中均排名第一。此外，該州受益於其中心地理位置以及「即用型」營商場地的創建。然而，挑戰依然存在；俄亥俄州在勞動力方面排名第 35，教育方面排名第 23。因此，JobsOhio 投資 3 億美元以提升 STEM 技能。此外，數據中心的增長引起了政治緊張，導致州長 DeWine 暫時停止了某些稅務優惠。

Other regional trends show a mix of results. North Carolina and Virginia continue to rank highly, although the quality of life in North Carolina has decreased. Meanwhile, Arkansas is described as the most improved state, rising to 28th place due to job growth and new workers in its northwest region. Despite this, Arkansas still faces serious problems with healthcare, crime rates, and education. On the other hand, Hawaii and Alaska are the lowest-performing states, with Hawaii struggling specifically with high childcare costs and poor infrastructure.

其他地區趨勢顯示結果不一。北卡羅來納州與維吉尼亞州繼續保持高排名，儘管北卡羅來納州的生活品質有所下降。同時，阿肯色州被描述為進步最顯著的州，由於西北地區的就業增長和新勞動力加入，排名上升至第 28 位。儘管如此，阿肯色州在醫療保健、犯罪率和教育方面仍面臨嚴重問題。另一方面，夏威夷與阿拉斯加是表現最差的州，其中夏威夷特別受困於高昂的育兒成本和糟糕的基礎設施。

At the same time, TIME and Statista have launched 'America’s Best Companies 2026' and a similar study for Canada. These rankings use a three-part scoring system that looks at employee satisfaction, financial growth, and sustainability transparency (ESG). The ESG part uses specific indicators, such as carbon emissions and gender diversity on boards, to measure how companies manage their environmental and social impact.

與此同時，TIME 與 Statista 推出了「2026年美國最佳公司」以及一項針對加拿大的類似研究。這些排名採用三部分評分系統，考量員工滿意度、財務成長及永續發展透明度 (ESG)。ESG 部分使用特定指標，如碳排放量和董事會的性別多樣性，以衡量公司如何管理其對環境和社會的影響。

Conclusion

Ohio currently leads U.S. business competitiveness due to its infrastructure and cost advantages, while corporate rankings in North America are now more closely linked to sustainability and employee satisfaction.

俄亥俄州目前憑藉基礎設施與成本優勢領先美國營商競爭力，而北美企業排名現在與永續發展及員工滿意度更緊密地聯繫在一起。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Logical Glue' Technique

An A2 student speaks in short, separate sentences. A B2 speaker uses Connectors to glue ideas together. This article is a goldmine for this transition.

🧩 The Contrast Shift

Look at how the text moves from positive to negative ideas. Instead of saying "and," it uses these 'glue' words:

However $\rightarrow$ Used to introduce a problem. ("Ohio is great... However, some challenges remain.")
Despite this $\rightarrow$ Used to show that a problem exists even if something good happened. ("Arkansas is improving... Despite this, it faces serious problems.")
On the other hand $\rightarrow$ Used to compare two different situations (like a mirror). ("Arkansas is rising... On the other hand, Hawaii is struggling.")

📈 The Cause-and-Effect Chain

To reach B2, you must explain why things happen. Notice these triggers:

"This success is caused by..." $\rightarrow$ Directly links a result to its reason.
"Consequently" $\rightarrow$ A sophisticated way to say "So." (Action $\rightarrow$ Consequently $\rightarrow$ Result).
"Leading to..." $\rightarrow$ This creates a flow. Data centers grew $\rightarrow$ leading to $\rightarrow$ political tension.

🛠️ Level-Up Vocabulary

Stop using "good" or "bad." Use these B2-Ready adjectives from the text:

A2 Word	B2 Upgrade	Context from Article
Good/Fast	Strategic	"...a strategic focus on infrastructure"
Big/Important	Major	"...showing a major improvement"
Clear/Open	Transparent	"...sustainability transparency"
Hard	Struggling	"...Hawaii struggling with costs"

Vocabulary Learning

evaluation (n.)

The process of judging the value, quality, or importance of something.

Example:The company conducted a thorough evaluation of its employees' performance.

strategic (adj.)

Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.

Example:The company made a strategic decision to expand into the European market.

infrastructure (n.)

The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

Example:The government is investing heavily in infrastructure to improve the national rail network.

incentives (n.)

Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something, often a financial reward.

Example:The city offers tax incentives to attract new tech companies to the area.

transparency (n.)

The quality of being open, honest, and without secrets.

Example:The public is demanding more transparency regarding how the budget is spent.

indicators (n.)

Signs or signals that show the condition or existence of something.

Example:Economic indicators suggest that the country is entering a period of growth.

competitiveness (n.)

The ability of an organization or country to produce goods and services that meet the needs of others at prices that are competitive.

Example:The new trade agreement is designed to increase the global competitiveness of local businesses.

Analysis of 2026 North American Corporate Competitiveness and State Business Rankings

2026年北美企業競爭力與州級商業排名分析

Introduction

Recent data from CNBC, TIME, and Statista provide a comprehensive assessment of the business environments across U.S. states and the performance of top corporations in the United States and Canada.

CNBC、TIME 與 Statista 最近的數據，全面評估了美國各州的商業環境，以及美國與加拿大頂尖企業的表現。

Main Body

The 2026 CNBC study identifies Ohio as the premier U.S. state for business, marking a significant ascent from its 30th-place ranking in 2007. This elevation is attributed to a strategic focus on infrastructure, where Ohio currently ranks first, and the cost of doing business, in which it also holds the top position. The state's competitive advantage is further bolstered by its geographic centrality and the implementation of 'SiteOhio Authenticated' shovel-ready sites. However, institutional challenges persist; Ohio ranks 35th in workforce and 23rd in education, prompting a $300 million investment by JobsOhio to mitigate the STEM skills gap. The proliferation of data centers has introduced political friction, resulting in a temporary suspension of sales tax incentives by Governor DeWine and emerging as a point of contention in the gubernatorial race between Dr. Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy.

2026年 CNBC 的研究指出，俄亥俄州是美國最適合經商的州，較 2007 年排名第 30 位大幅上升。此提升歸功於對基礎設施的戰略重點關注（目前排名第一）以及營商成本（同樣位居榜首）。該州地理位置居中，加上實施「SiteOhio Authenticated」即買即建場地，進一步強化了競爭優勢。然而，制度性挑戰依然存在；勞動力排名第 35，教育排名第 23，促使 JobsOhio 投資 3 億美元以彌補 STEM 技能缺口。數據中心的激增引入了政治摩擦，導致州長 DeWine 暫時停止銷售稅優惠，並成為 Dr. Amy Acton 與 Vivek Ramaswamy 州長競選之爭的爭論焦點。

Other regional trends indicate a divergence in state performance. North Carolina and Virginia maintain high rankings, though North Carolina's quality-of-life metrics have declined. Arkansas is designated as the most improved state, ascending to 28th place due to workforce attraction and job growth in the northwest sector. Conversely, Arkansas exhibits systemic deficiencies in healthcare, violent crime rates, and educational attainment. The lowest-performing states include Hawaii and Alaska, with Hawaii specifically hampered by high childcare costs and poor infrastructure.

其他區域趨勢顯示各州表現分歧。北卡羅來納州與維吉尼亞州維持高排名，儘管北卡羅來納州的生活品質指標有所下降。阿肯色州被指定為進步最顯著的州，由於西北地區的勞動力吸引力與就業成長，升至第 28 位。相反地，阿肯色州在醫療保健、暴力犯罪率與教育程度方面表現出系統性缺陷。表現最差的州包括夏威夷與阿拉斯加，其中夏威夷特別受到高昂托嬰成本與基礎設施落後的影響。

Parallel to state-level assessments, TIME and Statista have inaugurated 'America’s Best Companies 2026' and a corresponding Canadian analysis. These evaluations employ a tripartite scoring model consisting of employee satisfaction, financial performance (or revenue growth), and sustainability transparency (ESG). The ESG dimension utilizes standardized KPIs, including carbon emissions intensity and board gender diversity, to quantify corporate governance and environmental impact.

與州級評估平行，TIME 與 Statista 推出了「2026年美國最佳公司」及相應的加拿大分析。這些評估採用由員工滿意度、財務表現（或營收增長）以及永續透明度 (ESG) 組成的三方評分模型。ESG 維度利用標準化 KPI，包括碳排放強度與董事會性別多元化，以量化公司治理與環境影響。

Conclusion

Ohio currently leads U.S. business competitiveness through infrastructure and cost advantages, while corporate rankings in North America are increasingly tied to ESG transparency and employee satisfaction.

俄亥俄州目前透過基礎設施與成本優勢領先美國商業競爭力，而北美的企業排名則日益與 ESG 透明度及員工滿意度掛鉤。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of 'Institutional Nominalization'

To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing actions and begin constructing concepts. The provided text is a goldmine for Nominalization—the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to achieve a high-density, academic register.

✦ The 'Density' Shift

Compare a B2-level sentence with the C2-level professional prose found in the text:

B2 (Action-oriented): Ohio improved because it strategically focused on infrastructure.
C2 (Concept-oriented): *"This elevation is attributed to a strategic focus on infrastructure..."

In the C2 version, the action (improved) becomes a noun (elevation), and the process (focused) becomes a noun (focus). This removes the need for a personal subject and elevates the tone to an analytical, objective plane.

✦ High-Yield Lexical Clusters

Notice how the author pairs these nominalizations with precise, high-register verbs to create 'Academic Collocations'. This is the hallmark of C2 proficiency:

[Abstract Noun] $\rightarrow$ [Precision Verb]

Institutional challenges $\rightarrow$ persist

Competitive advantage $\rightarrow$ is bolstered by

Systemic deficiencies $\rightarrow$ exhibit

Political friction $\rightarrow$ emerges as

✦ The 'Tripartite' Logic

C2 mastery involves the use of specialized Latinate adjectives to categorize complex systems. The term "tripartite scoring model" replaces a clunky phrase like "a model with three parts."

Strategic Application: When writing a C2 synthesis, avoid saying "The company grew and also helped the environment." Instead, utilize the nominalized ESG framework: "The company's growth was mirrored by an increase in sustainability transparency."

Vocabulary Learning

ascent (n.)

A rise to a higher social, professional, or numerical position.

Example:The company's rapid ascent to the top of the market was fueled by innovative technology.

bolstered (v.)

Strengthened or supported, often to make something more effective or robust.

Example:The argument was bolstered by a wealth of empirical evidence.

mitigate (v.)

To make something bad less severe, serious, or painful.

Example:The government implemented new policies to mitigate the effects of the economic recession.

proliferation (n.)

A rapid increase in the number or amount of something.

Example:The proliferation of smartphones has fundamentally changed how people communicate.

contention (n.)

A heated disagreement or a point maintained in an argument.

Example:The proposed tax hike became a major point of contention between the two political parties.

divergence (n.)

The process of developing in different directions or becoming different.

Example:There is a growing divergence between the economic fortunes of urban and rural areas.

deficiencies (n.)

Failings or shortcomings; a lack or shortage of something necessary.

Example:The audit revealed several critical deficiencies in the company's internal accounting procedures.

tripartite (adj.)

Consisting of three parts or involving three parties.

Example:The peace treaty was the result of a tripartite agreement between the three warring nations.

Practice All words in a crossword→