Press Releases

, N.C.-- North Carolina Commerce is now accepting applications for the Downtown Free Public Wi-Fi Access Pilot Grant Program. Eligible applicants could receive financial resources to expand and enhance free, public Wi-Fi access in downtown business districts throughout western North Carolina. Investments will range from $10,000 to $50,000 dollars. The program seeks to enable communities to create vibrant main streets that allow both visitors and businesses to be digitally connected. The deadline for applications is July 29, 2016.

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 31 grant and loan requests totaling $10,433,899. The requests include commitments to create a total of 622 new jobs. “Job growth favors communities that have ready-to-go sites, buildings and infrastructure,” said Governor McCrory. “These grants will help provide the assets and amenities companies seek when growing their businesses and creating jobs.”

National Trust for Historic Preservation subsidiary issues 2016 accreditations

Solar Company Will Manufacture Photovoltaic Panels

—The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, decreasing 0.3 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate.  The national rate declined 0.3 of a percentage point to 4.7 percent. North Carolina’s May 2016 unemployment rate was 0.7 of a percentage point lower than a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 6,870 over the month to 4,618,342 and increased 142,023 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 13,589 over the month to 250,544, and decreased 25,278 over the year.

Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that Porter’s Group LLC will expand its North Carolina presence with a new facility in Cleveland County. The company will hire an additional 44 workers over the coming three years as it invests $3.75 million there.

—Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in three, and remained unchanged in two.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.7 percent.  Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.6 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.9 percent.  The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.0 percent.

Raleigh, N.C. -- As we remember those servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country on this Memorial Day, Governor Pat McCrory is also encouraging employers to hire military veterans to grow their businesses. North Carolina’s veterans are a talented pool of individuals whose skills and approach to teamwork make them a smart addition to any business.

Governor Pat McCrory celebrated the grand opening of Morinaga Co. & Ltd. in Mebane today. Morinaga was one of the first companies Governor McCrory met with after entering office to help recruit them to North Carolina. In September 2013, the governor announced the company's plans to create 90 new jobs and invest $48 million in a 120,000 square foot production plant in Orange County.

— The Division of Employment Security (DES) has begun to collect unpaid unemployment insurance taxes from employers through a federal program called the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). The Division implemented TOP originally for the recovery of unemployment insurance benefit overpayments to claimants in 2013. In January 2016, DES leveraged this process to implement the recovery of unpaid employer taxes. States have recently been given permission by the federal government to run the TOP program for unpaid unemployment insurance taxes.