Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 50 of North Carolina’s counties in February 2024, decreased in fourteen, and remained unchanged in 36. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.7 percent while Watauga County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, one decreased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.1 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

Andrea DeSantis, Ph.D., will serve as the next North Carolina Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS), Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today. She will succeed current Assistant Secretary Chet Mottershead, who is retiring and will remain at the agency for a short time during the transition period.DeSantis most recently served as a Policy Advisor for Governor Roy Cooper, focusing on issues of workforce development and higher education.

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders are encouraging North Carolina employers to hire veterans and to apply for recognition with a HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an official program of the U.S. Department of Labor.The application period runs through April 30, 2024.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded grants totaling $750,000 to three local Workforce Development Boards to support the creation of Local Reentry Councils (LRCs). These new groups will collaborate with workforce development partners, the N.C. Department of Adult Correction and others in their communities to support justice-involved people in making a successful transition to employment, which in turn promotes public safety.

LMFakro, a manufacturer of attic ladders, will create 23 new jobs to establish its first U.S. assembly plant for attic ladders in Pasquotank County, Governor Cooper announced today.“North Carolina’s robust transportation infrastructure, strong workforce of manufacturing professionals, and nationally recognized business-friendly environment makes it the perfect place for distribution companies like LMFakro to call home. This is great news for Pasquotank County and all of northeastern North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper.

Duotech Services, LLC, an engineering company that specializes in the repair and maintenance of legacy defense equipment, will expand its operations in Macon County, creating 95 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest $6.5 million in Franklin."Duotech’s growth is another reason why North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the country,” said Governor Cooper. “We welcome the expansion of this nimble and innovative company that’s supporting the defense of our country and its allies while creating great jobs in western North Carolina.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,135 over the month to 5,071,461 and increased 50,979 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,265 over the month to 184,472 and increased 6,541 over the year.

SCHOTT Pharma USA, Inc., a global leader in manufacturing drug containment solutions and delivery systems for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, will establish a new production facility in Wilson County, creating 401 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $371 million in the City of Wilson.

Forty Main Street Champions will be honored for their contributions to downtown revitalization and community building in 2023 during a recognition ceremony today in Goldsboro. With the addition of this year’s honorees, 415 Main Street Champions have now been recognized by the N.C. Department of Commerce since 2000.

Coinciding with Governor Roy Cooper’s “Equal Pay Day” proclamation and the National Women’s History Alliance 2024 theme of celebrating “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders is urging greater gender diversity on corporate boards to better represent North Carolina’s demographics. Companies with diverse boards not only are more reflective of the population but perform better and drive greater profitability for their shareholders.