Press Releases

Governor Roy Cooper and Department of Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland made two appointments in the state’s workforce commission and division. Daniel (Danny) Giddens will serve as the Commerce Department’s Acting Assistant Secretary of the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS). Kevin A. Trapani has been appointed to the NCWorks Commission and will serve as chair of the Commission.  Danny Giddens, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Division of Workforce Solutions

igh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in October and remained unchanged in seven.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1 percent.  All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.0 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.3 percent.  The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent. 

Six Counties Will Change Tiers Next Year

Fast-growing life sciences company expands in North Carolina

USA, LLC will open a new facility in Alamance County that is expected to create 35 jobs over five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases will invest approximately $47 million to open an air separation facility in Mebane capable of producing liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon.

Governor Cooper welcomes hundreds of new jobs in Wilson

Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, remaining unchanged from September’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent. North Carolina’s October 2017 unemployment rate decreased 1.0 percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 11,504 over the month to 4,742,359 and increased 91,964 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 3,668 over the month to 203,890 and decreased 47,385 over the year. 

New data tools and greater focus on employer engagement highlighted at NCWorks Commission meeting; Four new Career Pathways certified to help connect people with skills for high-demand jobs

Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today an initiative to attract business by highlighting the world-class, inventive, and forward-thinking nature of North Carolinians through the NC Next Firsts campaign. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the state’s public-private economic development organization, are implementing the effort. 

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has appointed Lockhart Taylor the department’s Assistant Secretary of the Division of Employment Security. Taylor has served as Interim Assistant Secretary since Sept. 1, 2017. Taylor will guide the department’s administration of unemployment insurance for the state. The Division administers the state's unemployment insurance program, helping people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.