Business

Mississippi ranks sixth best state to start business in 2026

Mississippi ranks sixth best state in America to start a business in 2026, according to a Facebook post shared by local supporters of the state’s business climate.

The post cited several reasons for the placement, saying Mississippi offers “insane execution speed,” a “talented workforce,” a “low cost of doing business” and a “business-friendly environment.” The post added that those factors help produce “record-breaking momentum.”

State rankings can influence where entrepreneurs, investors and businesses choose to locate, and they often factor into economic development strategies. Organizations that produce such lists typically evaluate elements like workforce quality, cost of doing business, access to capital and regulatory environment.

Mississippi state and local officials have in recent years emphasized recruitment of new companies and support for small-business growth as part of broader efforts to boost jobs and investment. Independent assessments and rankings can bolster those efforts by drawing attention to the state.

Details about which organization produced the 2026 ranking were not provided in the post. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Jon Myers

Jon Ross Myers founded Mississippi News Group in 2013. Before founding the organization, he worked at The Daily Mississippian, The Marion Salute and The Southern Sentinel. A Mississippi journalist and writer based in Ripley, he received second place in poetry in the 2025 William Faulkner Literary Competition for "The Garden."