Press Releases

New data tools and greater focus on employer engagement highlighted at NCWorks Commission meeting; Four new Career Pathways certified to help connect people with skills for high-demand jobs

Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today an initiative to attract business by highlighting the world-class, inventive, and forward-thinking nature of North Carolinians through the NC Next Firsts campaign. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the state’s public-private economic development organization, are implementing the effort. 

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has appointed Lockhart Taylor the department’s Assistant Secretary of the Division of Employment Security. Taylor has served as Interim Assistant Secretary since Sept. 1, 2017. Taylor will guide the department’s administration of unemployment insurance for the state. The Division administers the state's unemployment insurance program, helping people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Communities In Schools program will assist at-risk students with graduating and preparing for a career

igh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in September and remained unchanged in one.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1 percent.  All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.3 percent.  The September not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.0 percent. 

Company will invest more than $26 million in Mars Hill expansion

Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, remaining unchanged from August’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent. North Carolina’s September 2017 unemployment rate decreased 1.0 percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 28,399 over the month to 4,730,428 and increased 88,598 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 738 over the month to 200,905 and decreased 46,413 over the year. 

North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority awards $3.97 million in grants to support jobs and infrastructure and property upgrades

State supports proposals from four local communities seeking Amazon’s HQ2 project

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has appointed Kenny Flowers, an economic and community development professional, as the department’s Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development. Flowers will guide the department’s support for North Carolina’s rural communities. He will lead a team of specialists that help communities make the preparations and infrastructure investments needed to attract companies and spur economic growth.