Press Releases

Provalus, an information technology outsourcing firm, will establish a Center of Excellence in Wilkes County, creating 150 jobs, according to the company. Provalus will invest $1.05 million in North Wilkesboro.“North Carolina offers exceptionally talented workers in all parts of our state, and it’s great to see a company like Provalus recognize this strength in Wilkes County,” said Governor Cooper. “Companies know they can count on the state’s highly regarded education and workforce training systems to provide the talent they need to be successful.”

Applications are now being accepted for a new round of grants from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a key source of funding for small businesses engaged in research and development that lead to commercial products.

The state’s seasonally adjusted October 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 763 over the month to 5,067,394 and increased 4,529 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,103 over the month to 196,774 and increased 8,364 over the year.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced the winners of the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction. A youth internship program, two manufacturers, and five individual North Carolinians are being honored for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development. Award recipients were honored on Nov.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Abstract Ice Inc, a manufacturer of specialty craft ice products, will create 26 new jobs and invest more than $14.7 million in establishing a new manufacturing facility in Forest City.“Today, we celebrate Abstract Ice investing in Rutherford County,” Governor Cooper said. “Western North Carolina is open for business, and innovative companies like Abstract Ice will continue to invest in our state with our highly skilled workforce, strong infrastructure and great quality of life.”

Republished press release from the Appalachian Regional Commission.Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $3.5 million to Mountain BizWorks to bolster its new fund supporting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts throughout 28 counties in North Carolina. The fund, WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, is providing rapid, flexible loans of up to $100,000 to small businesses suffering unprecedented economic losses related to Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina will celebrate “

Today, IQE, Inc., a global semiconductor manufacturer, announced an expansion in Guilford County, signaling its ongoing commitment to future investment in the region, subject to customer commitments and funding from the federal CHIPS Act. The company plans to add 109 jobs and invest $305 million over several years to expand its manufacturing facility for next generation compound semiconductor material in the City of Greensboro.

Three television-streaming series and three independent feature-length films have been approved for North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grants. With production beginning this year, the six projects combined are expected to spend more than $172 million in the state, while creating more than 8,500 job opportunities.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in September 2024. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.6 percent while Buncombe, Ashe, Avery, Currituck, Watauga, Swain, and Dare Counties each had the lowest at 2.5 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.6 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.6 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent.