My Take: Delaware's Top States for Business ranking

 Delaware finished in the middle of the pack, ranking 29th, an improvement from its 34th-place finish in 2024.

 To no one's surprise, Delaware's ranking was dragged down by a 45th-place finish in education. Also finishing in the mid-40s were business friendliness and the cost of doing business.

 Not helpful was the recent controversy and legislative action over corporate law changes aimed at discouraging companies from relocating their incorporation business out of Delaware.

The warp speed of legislative proceedings, pushback from pro-shareholder attorneys and groups, and Elon Musk's rejected pay package ensured that the issue stayed on the radar screens of corporate boardrooms, chief counsels, and CEOs.

The one area where Delaware excels comes in the resilience of its economy. CNBC ranked the First State fourth in its ability to navigate the current uncertainties, which include federal layoffs,  tariffs, China, and the prospect of a recession.

One reason for the high ranking is the low percentage of federal employees.  The state was too far away from Washington, D.C., to attract major federal job sites, which often went to Maryland, Virginia, and even West Virginia.

Delaware has some work to do in terms of business friendliness. The current governor appears to focused on this issue. The General Assembly has often moved  in the opposite direction.

Education remains a thorny issue, with Delaware's rankings driven down by poor test scores and numerous. reform efforts.

 The state's mixed performance is nothing to write home about, but the performance of the second-smallest state in land area was far better than that of the smallest - Rhode Island, which finished in a tie with Louisiana at 46. - Doug Rainey, chief content officer.