Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 counties in January 2026. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.0 percent while Camden County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.7 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.5 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted January 2026 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, unchanged from December’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,494 over the month to 5,109,781 and increased 19,919 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 96 over the month to 203,481 and increased 2,876 over the year.

Governor Josh Stein announced today that SMBC Group, one of Japan’s largest financial institutions, will establish its second U.S. headquarters in Charlotte to support its operations, creating 2,000 jobs over the course of six years. The company will invest $50.5 million in Mecklenburg County.Governor Stein met with leaders from the company to recruit them to North Carolina during his business development trip to Tokyo last fall.

Today the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) announced a first-round Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), making $40 million in federal funding available to help restore and reinvigorate commercial districts in western North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Today Governor Josh Stein joined Siemens Mobility Inc. at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new passenger rail manufacturing center in Lexington.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Linde Inc., an industrial gases and engineering company, will create 20 new jobs in Northampton County. The jobs are part of an investment of more than $75 million to build an air separation facility in Garysburg.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that Capital Group, one of the world’s largest and most experienced active asset managers, will establish a major East Coast operations hub in Charlotte.“We’re excited that Charlotte’s reputation as one of the nation’s top banking centers has attracted Capital Group to establish its East Coast hub here,” said Governor Stein. “North Carolina offers a talent pool that’s especially well suited to helping financial services companies like the Capital Group succeed in our state.”

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced TSEA Energy, a manufacturer of energy equipment, will establish its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Rockingham County. The company says it will create 160 jobs and invest $25 million in Eden.“I am delighted to welcome TSEA Energy to North Carolina and Rockingham County,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our highly skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and convenient East Coast location will help them modernize the electrical grid as utilities meet the growing energy demand in our state and our nation.”

Governor Josh Stein today announced nearly $8.5 million in new infrastructure grants to support small business recovery in western North Carolina. The funding will assist 13 local projects through the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), continuing the state’s coordinated response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, and North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette 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 ends April 30, 2026.