Press Releases

Forza X1, Inc., the builder of an innovative line of electric-powered boats, will invest $10.5 million to establish a new manufacturing plant in McDowell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will create 170 jobs in Marion. “The strong momentum for our emphasis on the clean energy economy is putting money in the pockets of every day North Carolinians in both urban and rural areas like McDowell County.” said Governor Cooper. “While the number of electric cars is rapidly expanding, so will electric boats made by Forza X1 right here in our state.”

Pisgah Laboratories, Inc., a pharmaceutical manufacturer, will add 57 new jobs in Transylvania County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $55 million to expand its manufacturing product line."North Carolina’s life science industry is expanding all over our state including rural areas like Transylvania County with the growth of Pisgah Laboratories," said Governor Cooper. "When North Carolina companies expand and reinvest in our state, it validates our ranking as the best state to do business.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2022 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, remaining unchanged from May’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 12,675 over the month to 4,929,133 and increased 215,137 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,767 over the month to 172,658 and decreased 74,565 over the year.

Today, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the World Golf Hall of Fame announced that the World Golf Hall of Fame will be moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper joined the announcement today, where the two organizations detailed the new visitor experience at the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst campus set to open in 2024. The Hall of Fame will relocate its physical collection from Florida to North Carolina.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Minister for International Trade Penny Mordaunt have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Trade Relations to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy.

North Carolina’s jobs portal, NCWorks.gov, is back online and available for use by jobseekers and employers.

Business Facilities Magazine names the state the Best Business Climate in America.

CNBC has named North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business in 2022. This morning, Governor Roy Cooper joined CNBC’s Scott Cohn at the Oceanic at the Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach for a live broadcast where the winner was revealed.

Merchants Distributors, LLC (MDI), a wholesale grocery distributor founded in Hickory in 1931 will invest $35 million in a new expansion of its services and operations, creating 125 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company anticipates adding approximately 250,000 square feet to its perishable capacity at its Caldwell County facilities.

Five new television and film projects are approved to receive North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant funds, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Combined, these projects are expected to produce direct in-state spending of $107 million while creating more than 4,900 job opportunities in the state.   “We’ve worked tirelessly to get the film industry going again in North Carolina and we’re succeeding," said Governor Cooper. "Film, television and digital streaming projects here mean more money and jobs for North Carolinians.”