Press Releases

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,280 over the month to 5,074,635 and increased 39,323 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,098 over the month to 185,549 and increased 11,489 over the year.

Radél, Inc., a global manufacturer of electro-mechanical components, will locate a new state-of-the-art production facility in Forsyth County, creating 32 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $9 million in Winston-Salem to establish a U.S. East Coast manufacturing operation.

Samantha Cole has been named the first Child Care Business Liaison at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today. Cole brings nearly a decade of experience in economic development and government to the newly created position.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies North Carolina, Inc. will expand its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wake County, adding 680 jobs and investing $1.2 billion in the Town of Holly Springs, Governor Cooper announced today.

This week, Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper will host a historic visit from Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his wife Mrs. Kishida Yuko. The visit will feature a State Lunch at the Executive Mansion, visits to major Japanese employers in North Carolina and other sites. The State is working to put its best foot forward for the visit, including participation from noted North Carolina chefs and musicians.

Next week, North Carolina will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and a delegation of Japanese dignitaries and media members for a historic State visit. The Prime Minister and his wife, Yuko Kishida, will join the Coopers for a State luncheon on April 12th at the Executive Mansion and for several events across the state. The North Carolina trip will follow a White House State Dinner hosted by President Biden. This will be a historic trip for a sitting head-of-state to visit North Carolina and emphasizes the deep relationship between the state and Japan.

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.

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.

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.

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.