Press Releases

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 1 - 7, 2022 as Small Business Week to celebrate America’s entrepreneurs and the impact of small businesses on North Carolina’s economy. “From the mountains to the coast, small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy,” Governor Cooper said. “As we emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever, we’re committed to providing the educated workforce and resources these entrepreneurs need to succeed.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the North Carolina tourism industry saw a major recovery in 2021 with $28.9 billion in visitor spending. With domestic travel reaching new heights as international visitation lagged, the total falls just 1 percent below the record set in 2019 and represents a 45 percent increase from pandemic-stricken 2020.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 85 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in three, and remained unchanged in 12. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.7 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.1 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

North Carolina has clear potential to significantly grow its defense innovation economy with more strategic focus and improved state leadership, according to recommendations from the North Carolina Defense Innovation Task Force, a study group convened by the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation (BSTI).

In an effort to promote inclusive hiring practices for businesses across North Carolina and improve the state’s labor supply, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has spearheaded an educational campaign on Autism Acceptance Month. The department has provided a series of outreach and engagement activities designed to educate staff on the meaning and prevalence of autism, sharing resources for neurodiverse staff and family, and promoting programs that increase employment for ASD individuals.

Technimark, LLC, a manufacturing solutions provider for the healthcare and consumer packaging markets, will expand its healthcare production operations in Randolph County, creating 220 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $62 million to support growth in its healthcare and consumer packaging markets.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 15 grant requests to local governments totaling $3,840,156, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 649 jobs, 215 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $351 million in private investment.    

Vanguard Furniture Company, Inc., a North Carolina furniture manufacturer, will add 100 new jobs in Burke County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $5.9 million for an expansion of its upholstery manufacturing operations to Morganton. “North Carolina continues to be the global leader for furniture manufacturing,” said Governor Cooper. “Vanguard’s decision to expand in our state affirms that our quality of life and skilled workforce can provide a thriving business climate that brings success.”

North Carolina continues to make progress in its overall innovation capacity, rising one place in its national ranking, but the state still needs to encourage more private-sector research and development activities, according to the latest edition of a closely watched report on innovation in North Carolina.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2022 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 25,123 over the month to 4,853,239 and increased 191,889 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 9,880 over the month to 177,303 and decreased 80,734 over the year.