Alaska ranked bottom state for business

State Competitiveness Ranking - CNBC's annual ranking places North Carolina as the top state for business for the third time in four years [1] - The ranking considers inherent disadvantages like size and location, as well as self-inflicted issues of states [2] - Louisiana and Rhode Island are tied at 46th place, with Louisiana being the most dependent on the federal government and having a weak housing market, while Rhode Island has high costs and heavy regulation [2] - Montana ranks 48th with the worst workforce and workforce development programs in America [3] - Hawaii is the most expensive state and among the least business-friendly, ranking 49th [3] - Alaska finishes last in 2025 due to its economy being heavily tied to oil, with 98% of its operating budget dependent on oil and gas [3][4] Alaska's Economic Challenges - The price of Alaska's North Slope oil is declining, impacting the state's economy [5] - Alaska faces challenges including the worst economy, the second worst infrastructure, and the third worst education system in the US [6] - Policymakers have been trying to diversify Alaska's economy for decades, including a plan to lease public lands for carbon storage [6] - A natural gas pipeline project is being considered to open new markets for Alaskan oil production's byproduct, but its economics are tricky as oil and natural gas prices decrease [7]