Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 65 of North Carolina’s counties in May, decreased in 34, and remained unchanged in one. Swain County had the highest unemployment rate at 19.7 percent, while Bertie and Chowan Counties each had the lowest at 8.1 percent. Nine of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, five decreased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Asheville had the highest rate at 16.1 percent and Goldsboro had the lowest at 10.1 percent. The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 12.7 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 12.9 percent, remaining unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 1.4 percentage points to 13.3 percent. North Carolina’s May 2020 unemployment rate increased 8.9 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 118,154 over the month to 4,200,388 and decreased 662,968 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 16,021 over the month to 621,713 and increased 417,511 over the year.

Global packaging maker Serioplast US LLC will establish production operations in Red Springs in a project that will create 46 new jobs in Robeson County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company, which manufacturers rigid plastic packaging for a wide variety of consumer goods, plans to invest $9.42 million in its new North Carolina presence. “New jobs like these demonstrate that North Carolina has a strong workforce and is open for business,” Governor Cooper said. “This investment by Serioplast shows that our state remains is a good fit for global companies.”

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved three grant requests to local governments totaling $2,825,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 264 jobs, 250 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $114 million in private investment.  

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has launched a comprehensive project to assess the state’s inventory of businesses, organizations, and physical infrastructure best positioned to promote offshore wind development in North Carolina.  The move is the latest step in Governor Roy Cooper’s far-reaching commitment to build a clean energy economy to fight climate change and grow clean-energy jobs in North Carolina.

Anthem Displays LLC, a national manufacturer of digital billboards, will create 17 jobs in Bladen County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project will generate a $3.6 million investment in Elizabethtown. “North Carolina continues to attract new jobs in a wide range of industries,” said Governor Cooper. “Global companies like Anthem Displays see the potential of growing in southeastern North Carolina because of the strong workforce that is ready to get to work.”

Prime Beverage Group, a new contract beverage manufacturer, will create 231 new jobs in Cabarrus County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $68 million to establish their first manufacturing facility in Kannapolis. “North Carolina is the ideal location to create new products and serve new markets,” said Governor Cooper. “Prime Beverage Group’s first manufacturing facility in our state showcases our readiness to grow jobs and move our state’s economy forward.”

Grifols Therapeutics, the global healthcare company, will expand its North Carolina operations with a new $351.6 million capital investment, creating 300 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will construct a specialized blood plasma facility and logistics center at its Clayton campus in Johnston County.

Ames Copper Group, a joint venture of Prime Materials Recovery, Inc. (PMR) and the Cunext Group, will create 46 jobs in Cleveland County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest at least $26.3 million with the expansion of its copper manufacturing facility located in Shelby. “This is good news for Cleveland County, and the City of Shelby,” said Governor Cooper. “Ames Copper Group knows our state’s strong workforce and looked to North Carolina for this next phase of growth.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April. Dare County had the highest unemployment rate at 24.5 percent, while Bertie County had the lowest at 6.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton had the highest rate at 17.6 percent and Durham-Chapel Hill and Greenville each had the lowest rate at 9.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 12.5 percent.