Press Releases

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed October 1-7, 2023 North Carolina Manufacturing Week. With the eighth-largest manufacturing economy in the United States, and the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeast, manufacturing remains essential to the success of every sector of North Carolina’s economy.

North Carolina today announced participation in a regional offshore wind workforce assessment and supply chain project. The purpose of the “SMART-POWER Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis” is to understand the region’s existing offshore wind capabilities and identify supply chain investments that could most effectively leverage these resources and provide the greatest benefits to members states while furthering the responsible development of offshore wind.

Provalus, an IT services company, will create 92 jobs in Columbus County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $500,000 to establish operations in the City of Whiteville.“This announcement by Provalus is a great win for Columbus County,” said Governor Cooper. “The decision to operate in Whiteville is evidence of the strength of rural North Carolina’s talented workforce, strong economy, and great quality of life.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 41 of North Carolina’s counties in August 2023, decreased in 28, and remained unchanged in 31. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.2 percent while Swain County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Seven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, two increased, and six remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

North Carolina’s designated Main Street and Small Town Main Street communities have leveraged more than $5.2 billion in public and private investment in their downtown districts since 1980, according to new figures released today by the Department of Commerce.During the recently completed 2022-23 fiscal year, North Carolina’s Main Street programs leveraged $684,637,060 in local public and private investment and saw 365 new businesses and nearly 3,000 jobs added in their downtown districts.

Chick-fil-A Supply, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chick-fil-A, Inc., and distribution service provider of the chain’s restaurants, will create more than 85 jobs in Rowan County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Chick-fil-A Supply will invest $58.3 million to open a new distribution center in the City of Kannapolis.“Chick-fil-A’s expansion is good for Kannapolis along with Rowan and surrounding counties,” said Governor Cooper. “We appreciate their vote of confidence in North Carolina and the strength of our workforce and infrastructure.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted August 2023 unemployment rate was 3.3 percent, unchanged from July’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.6 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 12,790 over the month to 5,072,983 and increased 103,639 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 2,183 over the month to 173,576 and decreased 26,778 over the year.

The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation announced today that 65 innovative small businesses in North Carolina have received 73 grants to develop and commercialize groundbreaking new technologies with the potential for commercialization. In North Carolina fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30, the One North Carolina Small Business Program awarded nearly $2.05 million to pioneering small businesses in 19 counties across the state.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 39 of North Carolina’s counties in July 2023, increased in 27, and remained unchanged in 34. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.7 percent while Buncombe and Swain Counties each had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Two of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, two increased, and 11 remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

Today, North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders released the following video message in honor of Women’s Equality Day, which is Saturday, August 26: