CNBC ranks Iowa 9th in 'top states for business'

Virginia was number one, Texas number two, and Iowa a  ninth in CNBC's annual rankings of  Top States for Business.

Despite its top-ten showing, Iowa didn't even match its arch-rival, Minnesota, which finished seenth.

The rankings might give Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad fodder for his effort to drum up support for better transportation funding. It ranked Iowa 37th in infrastructure and transportation.

The governor probably won't get much of a boost for his drive to shrink government and lower business taxes from the rankings.

 CNBC ranked Iowa No. 1 in the cost of business. The category includes individual income and property taxes, as well as business taxes, particularly as they apply to new investments. It also includes utility costs, office, space, industrial space and wage costs.

Here's how Iowa fared in all the categories:

Cost of Business: 1

Workforce: 21

Quality of Life: 18

Economy: 5

Infrastructure and transportation: 37

Technology and Innovation: 28

Education: 15

Business friendliness: 11

Access to capital: 35

Cost of living: 14

Overall: 9