Press Releases

Up to $11.3 million in forgivable loans is available to small businesses in communities hit by Hurricane Matthew, the N.C. Department of Commerce reminded business owners today.

The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent. North Carolina’s July 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 13,077 over the month to 4,800,661 and increased 70,096 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 6,170 over the month to 203,407 and decreased 13,678 over the year.  

Jackson Paper Manufacturing Company, North Carolina’s largest recycled paper producer, will open a new plant in Burke County, creating 42 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest approximately $14 million in its new plant in Morganton and begin operations in the 2nd quarter of 2019. This new facility will produce more than 1 billion square feet per year of corrugated sheets for sale to corrugated box makers.

Meeting on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College on Aug. 8, the NCWorks Commission approved new Career Pathways, discussed the connections between education and employer needs, and certified local Career Centers.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in three.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.0 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent.  All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.3 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent.  The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.2 percent.

Half of North Carolina employers are having difficulty filling open positions, according to the results of a new survey of business hiring needs from late 2016 to early 2018. The 2018 Employer Needs Survey is published by the NCWorks Commission and conducted on its behalf by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD). 

North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper commended North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) employees today for leading a statewide drive to benefit young people in North Carolina’s out-of-home care system. Raleigh-based DWS staff launched the Luggage of Hope service project to provide luggage and toiletries to ease transitions for children in foster care.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 60 of North Carolina’s counties in May, increased in eight, and remained unchanged in 32.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.  Seven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one increased, and seven remained unchanged.

The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent. North Carolina’s May 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 12,280 over the month to 4,774,254 and increased 64,944 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 5,969 over the month to 213,611 and decreased 6,727 over the year..   

The Government Performance Lab (GPL) at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University announced today that North Carolina will benefit from the assistance of a government performance expert, at no cost to taxpayers. This new collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Harvard Kennedy School marks the first time that the state has been awarded technical assistance by the GPL.  North Carolina was one of six jurisdictions selected to receive pro bono technical assistance.