Press Releases

Today in Boone, Governor Josh Stein joined Dogwood Health Trust to announce a $30 million small business grant program to support businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and bolster economic recovery. Small businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million are eligible to apply for grants up to $50,000 from the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant program.

The February 6th deadline to timely apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for 39 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina is quickly approaching. DES will continue to process DUA applications as they are received. Applications for DUA can be filed at des.nc.gov.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 1,224 over the month to 5,066,954 and increased 5,467 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 188 over the month to 196,926 and increased 9,526 over the year.

Today, Governor Stein announced that Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business (NYSE: RTX), will expand its turbine airfoil manufacturing plant in Buncombe County, a significant vote of confidence in western North Carolina. The company’s expansion project will create 325 additional jobs and includes an additional investment of $285 million in Asheville.  

People who were paid unemployment benefits in 2024 can now view or download their 1099-G tax statements through their secure MyNCUIBenefits account at the N.C. Division of Employment Security (DES) website. A paper copy will be mailed by Jan. 31 to those who requested it with a delivery expected in early February.

The State of North Carolina announced 16,956 new jobs in the state in 2024, representing 218 business recruitment, expansion or rural development projects that engaged with the North Carolina Department of Commerce or its team at the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. in 2024.  These projects will bring $15.2 billion of capital investment into the state.

Residents of 39 counties may now apply to participate in the temporary jobs program that puts North Carolinians to work on recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Helene, N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley announced today. This represents an expansion from the 25-county area that was first announced in October.

Governor Josh Stein Signs Five Helene Recovery Executive Orders in First Action as Governor Today, Governor Josh Stein signed five executive orders to bring much-needed relief to people in western North Carolina, including accelerating temporary housing and the repair of private roads and bridges.

The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to February 6, 2025, for people in 39 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Applications for DUA can be filed at des.nc.gov. This extension to February 6, 2025, maintains consistency with the deadlines set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and allows the Division of Employment Security to continue to provide temporary financial support to people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce awarded 20 Community Development Block Grant - Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) fund requests to 20 local governments totaling $25.8 million. The requests will provide housing and public improvements for low- and moderate-income North Carolinians.“We’ve continued to make major investments in North Carolina communities that need support with affordable housing,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These neighborhood revitalization grants will help rural communities improve economic prosperity for all of their residents.”