Louisiana has been named the #9 Top State in the USA for Doing Business in Area Development Magazine’s 2025 rankings – the first Top 10 finish for Louisiana in five years.
The recognition underscores Louisiana’s growing competitiveness across categories that matter most to site selectors and corporate leaders:
- #1 in the USA for Energy Cost
- #4 in the USA for Workforce Training Programs
- #4 in the USA for Energy Availability
- #7 in the USA for Regulatory Framework
- #10 in the USA for Favorable Property Cost
- #10 in the USA for Overall Cost of Doing Business
In its analysis, Area Development noted that today’s rankings are less about branding and more about execution: how effectively states align land, labor, logistics, and leadership to meet fast-moving corporate timelines. Louisiana’s combination of affordable energy, strong workforce training programs, and competitive costs earned it a place among the nation’s leaders.
This recognition builds on recent momentum across Louisiana’s economy, from major industrial investments to the launch of new state-led initiatives, such as the 9×90 Work Plan and Project Lightning Speed.
The 2025 Top Ten States for Business in the United States are:
