America's Top States for Business 2026: Here's hint #3

July 8, 2026 - 21:04

CNBC's Scott Cohn is teasing the upcoming 2026 Top States for Business ranking with a new, intentionally tricky hint. The annual list, set to be revealed this Thursday, measures states on a broad range of competitiveness factors, from workforce and infrastructure to cost of living and business friendliness. Cohn, who has overseen the ranking for years, described the latest clue as "diabolical," suggesting it will require some serious thought to decode.

The hint is the third in a series designed to build anticipation for the full report. While Cohn did not reveal the exact wording of the clue in his latest commentary, he emphasized that the 2026 winner will need to excel in areas that have become increasingly critical in the post-pandemic economy. These include resilience in supply chains, investment in renewable energy, and the ability to attract a skilled, remote-ready workforce.

Past winners have often been states that balance low taxes with high quality of life, but Cohn hinted that the 2026 criteria might shift the focus toward adaptability and long-term planning. The full ranking, which evaluates all 50 states, will be released on Thursday. Until then, business leaders and economic development officials are left to puzzle over the latest cryptic hint.