By putting partisanship aside, North Carolina ranks No. 1 in America’s Top States for Business, with the nation’s strongest economy

• • Always a contender in CNBC’s annual state competitiveness rankings, North Carolina finishes on top for the first time.
  • Political leaders in the Tar Heel State keep managing to put partisanship aside to build the nation’s strongest economy.
  • Other top finishers are Washington, Virginia, Colorado and Texas. This year’s Bottom State for Business is Mississippi.