HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania has climbed four spots to No. 13 in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business rankings, the Commonwealth’s highest position in 15 years and the highest-ranking among all states in the Northeast. The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry said the improvement is strong evidence that pro-growth reforms championed by the business community are making the Commonwealth more competitive for private-sector investment. The ranking comes after years of work to improve Pennsylvania’s business climate through policies supported by the PA Chamber, including reducing the Corporate Net Income Tax, modernizing Net Operating Loss deductions, improving permitting, investing in workforce development, and strengthening the state’s economic competitiveness. “Pennsylvania’s rise among the nation’s most competitive states for business is encouraging and shows that pro-growth policies are making our Commonwealth more attractive for investment, jobs, and opportunity,” said PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. “We should be proud of this progress, but our goal isn’t to be No. 13 — it’s to be No. 1. This ranking shows what’s possible when policymakers prioritize growth, and if we keep our foot on the gas and continue improving Pennsylvania’s competitiveness, there’s no reason we can’t get there.” CNBC evaluates states on factors including workforce, infrastructure, technology and innovation, quality of life, business costs, and – for the first time this year – ease of permitting. CNBC said infrastructure became the top-weighted category in 2026 as companies pursue locations close to transport hubs, top utilities, fresh water, and abundant energy to power advanced manufacturing and data centers. Pennsylvania’s improvement follows years of bipartisan efforts to make government more responsive and predictable while improving the state’s overall competitive position. The PA Chamber has long advocated for reforms that make it easier for employers to invest and grow in Pennsylvania, including faster permitting, competitive tax policy, regulatory modernization, infrastructure investment, and workforce development.