Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose credited Ohio’s national leadership on efficient business registrations and affordable filing fees as reasons for the state’s top ranking on the best places to do business. Ohio now ranks 5th in the nation for its overall pro-business strengths in economy, infrastructure, workforce and business friendliness, according to CNBC’s new annual ranking of states.

“This ranking not only proves we’re open for business in Ohio but also that we’re doing it right,” said Secretary LaRose.

“Our office serves as the starting point for every new business in this state, and we’re now among the top five pro-business states in the nation, in part, because of the work we’ve done to help job creators get started more efficiently, affordably and sustainably than ever before.”

Reflecting this dynamic entrepreneurial climate, Ohio has continued to see strong business filings in 2025, with nearly 100,000 new filings recorded so far, representing one of the strongest starts in state history.

“With nearly 100,000 new business filings this year, and nearly 16,000 just in May, Ohio is witnessing a wave of entrepreneurship,” LaRose added.

Quick Highlights:

• Fifth overall in America’s top states for business ranking
• First in infrastructure
• Second in cost of doing business
• Sixth in technology and innovation

Secretary LaRose continues to work to simplify the process of starting a business in the Buckeye State by streamlining certifications for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses and modernizing the incorporation process for limited liability companies (LLCs) in Ohio.

A new business in Ohio can be filed in Ohio for $99 – less than our neighboring states – and the application can typically be processed in twenty-four hours.

Secretary LaRose has also expanded the Ohio Business Resource Connection, a compilation of private and public resources available to assist businesses.

He has hosted dozens of roundtables and cybersecurity conferences for small businesses throughout the state with community, legislative and business leaders to spread the word about the resources available for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses.

In response, Ohio Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Steve Stivers said, “While these new rankings aren’t surprising, they are encouraging.”

“We know Ohio is a great state — we have a low cost of living and a high quality of life, and our GDP is the seventh largest in the country. We’re proud that others are recognizing our potential as a top state for business. We do still have work to do, but our improvement this year shows that we’re certainly on the right track.”

This year, Ohio improved from its 2024 overall ranking of seventh to the current fifth place position. Notably, the state ranked first in Infrastructure, a significant jump from last year’s 13th. The study enhanced its Infrastructure metrics in the 2025 edition to determine how states are delivering on companies’ power and data demands, and Infrastructure is now the second-heaviest weighted category.

“Thank you to Gov. DeWine and the Ohio Legislature for their continued efforts toward improving infrastructure in our state. We couldn’t have achieved this first-place rank without their service,” said Stivers.

“To continue this upward momentum, we now need to focus on bolstering our workforce, strengthening electric generation and modernizing our grids, and continuing to diversify Ohio’s economy.”

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