For the first time since CNBC's Top States for Business rankings began in 2007, Infrastructure is the heaviest weighted category.
To determine the appropriate weight for each category, we analyze each state's economic development marketing pitches to see which selling points come up the most. For example, if more states are talking about their workforces, the Workforce category is worth more possible points. That way, we measure the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves.
"Can the state move fast with permitting and approvals? Can you get easements and rights-of-way put into place quickly?" Martindale said."If you have a business environment where those things all come together, you can allow things to happen quickly."