Press Releases

— The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent. North Carolina’s February 2016 unemployment rate was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 25,687 over the month to 4,557,152 and increased 103,145 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 164 over the month to 266,243, and decreased 3,998 over the year.

More than $207,000 in the latest round of NCWorks grants will improve the skills of North Carolina’s workers. The NCWorks Incumbent Worker Training Grant program helps business strengthen its workforce by reimbursing participating employers for training costs.  The grants are awarded twice a year. In the first quarter of this year, 30 businesses were awarded $207,598 to train 438 workers.

Goldsboro, N.C.--. Main Street Champions will be recognized for their commitment to downtown improvements and strong communities this morning during an awards breakfast in Goldsboro. Thirty-seven individuals will receive honors for their contributions in 2015. This year’s group of Main Street Champions brings the total number to 603 since Champions were first named in 1980 as part of N.C. Main Street’s 20th anniversary celebration.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.5 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.0 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville and Raleigh each had the lowest rate at 4.8 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.8 percent.

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that PayPal, Inc. will open a 400-job global operations center in Charlotte. The technology platform and digital payments leader is headquartered in San Jose, California.  It will invest over $3.6 million in Mecklenburg County by the end of 2017.

Goldsboro, N.C.North Carolinians will receive top honors tonight for their focus on downtowns across the state during the N.C. Main Street Awards Ceremony in Goldsboro. Fourteen award winners will be recognized for excellence in downtown revitalization efforts in categories that include design, economic vitality, organization and promotion.

Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will establish a manufacturing and research facility in Durham County where it will create 52 new jobs during the coming five years. The company plans to invest $19.9 million in the site over that time.

— The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 5.6 percent, remaining unchanged from December’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.9 percent. North Carolina’s January 2016 unemployment rate was 0.1 of a percentage point lower than a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 18,257 over the month to 4,531,610 and increased 87,478 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,415 over the month to 267,017, and decreased 1,427 over the year.  

North Carolina’s largest downtown revitalization conference gets underway this Wednesday, March 16th in Goldsboro.  Commerce’s NC Main Street Center will host the three-day conference offering learning sessions, tours, downtown exploration and networking opportunities  with downtown professionals, elected officials, consultants and volunteers.

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that KSM Castings USA is expanding its operations in Cleveland County, creating 80 new jobs during the coming five years. The German manufacturer of automotive components will invest $80 million at its facility in Shelby.