Press Releases

The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, increasing 1.0 point from June’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point to 10.2 percent. North Carolina’s July 2020 unemployment rate increased 4.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 72,211 over the month to 4,502,345 and decreased 382,495 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 62,712 over the month to 419,812 and increased 220,318 over the year.

Dansons US, LLC, a global manufacturer of consumer goods, will locate a distribution center in Cumberland County, North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland announced today. The company plans to add up to 118 jobs and invest approximately $27.7 million in Fayetteville.

Continental Structural Plastics (CSP), a leading manufacturer of automotive and heavy truck composite components, will expand its operations in North Carolina to create 61 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will make a capital investment of $45 million to add new capabilities to its Salisbury facility in Rowan County. “North Carolina’s manufacturing base continues to grow and strengthen our economy,” said Governor Cooper. “Even in the face of the pandemic, North Carolina is producing jobs and attracting companies who need our resilient, productive workforce.”

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 18 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,847,243, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 590 jobs, 296 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $103 million in private investment.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have experienced interruption due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could qualify for up to $250,000 from a new state grant program, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Job Retention Grant Program (JRG) through the agency’s website. “The Job Retention Grant Program offers another way for employers hit hard by COVID-19 to gain some relief,” said Governor Cooper. “This program aims to help employers keep employees on the payroll.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that Beam Therapeutics (Nasdaq; BEAM), a biotechnology company developing precision medicines through DNA base editing, plans to build a manufacturing facility in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, creating 201 jobs. Over a period of 5 years, the company expects to invest $83 million in the facility, which will support clinical and commercial manufacturing for the company’s novel base editing programs.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has identified and hired an experienced, international consulting company to help the agency assess North Carolina’s potential as an offshore wind industry hub.  BVG Associates, headquartered near London with offices in Glasgow, Scotland, Boston, and Richmond, Virginia will help the Department research and develop an inventory of businesses, organizations, and physical infrastructure best positioned to promote offshore wind development in North Carolina.

Retirement Clearinghouse, LLC (RCH), a leading national name in retirement plan services, will create 300 new jobs in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $4.1 million to expand their headquarters and corporate office in Charlotte.  “North Carolina continues to attract innovative technology companies like Retirement Clearinghouse,” said Governor Cooper. “This Mecklenburg County expansion highlights the region and how its talented workforce can help tech companies reach their business goals.”

Prepac Manufacturing Ltd., a North American manufacturer of Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) furniture will locate a new east coast furniture factory in Guilford County, creating 201 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $27.1 million in a new 260,000 square foot factory in Whitsett. "Even in a pandemic, North Carolina continues to grow jobs with companies like Prepac because of our great workforce, strategic location and reliable transportation,” said Governor Cooper.

World Cat, a manufacturer of outboard power catamarans for recreational boaters worldwide, will expand its North Carolina operations with a new production facility in Pitt County, Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland announced today. The company plans to add 60 jobs and invest $8,879,000 at a site in Greenville.