Press Releases

— The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 5.6 percent, remaining unchanged from December’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.9 percent. North Carolina’s January 2016 unemployment rate was 0.1 of a percentage point lower than a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 18,257 over the month to 4,531,610 and increased 87,478 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,415 over the month to 267,017, and decreased 1,427 over the year.  

North Carolina’s largest downtown revitalization conference gets underway this Wednesday, March 16th in Goldsboro.  Commerce’s NC Main Street Center will host the three-day conference offering learning sessions, tours, downtown exploration and networking opportunities  with downtown professionals, elected officials, consultants and volunteers.

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that KSM Castings USA is expanding its operations in Cleveland County, creating 80 new jobs during the coming five years. The German manufacturer of automotive components will invest $80 million at its facility in Shelby.

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) today announced the arrival of Uniquetex, LLC, Inc. to Cleveland County. The company intends to build a 150-person workforce in the Town of Grover over the coming five years. Uniquetex is investing $31.6 million in a production facility there, its first in the United States.

Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that RSI Home Products Manufacturing, Inc. will expand its North Carolina operations with a new facility in Richmond County that will employ 175 workers. The maker of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry plans to invest $5.8 million there during the next five years.

igh, N.C. -  N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla III and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced three productions will receive funds from the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program. Each recipient will begin production within the next 60 days.  “Two of our grantees are returning to film in North Carolina and that is exactly what we want- repeat business,” said Secretary Skvarla. “We want to continue long term relationships on both the big and small screen.”

GF Linamar Becomes Latest Addition to North Carolina’s Transportation Manufacturing Industry

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved nine grant and loan requests totaling $3,737,749. The requests include commitments to create a total of 152 new jobs. “Job creation begins with modern infrastructure,” said Governor McCrory. “By funding utility improvements, access roads and building upgrades, these grants will enable small and mid-sized communities across North Carolina to embrace exciting opportunities for economic prosperity.”

Lenoir, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that Krystal Engineering, LLC, will open a production facility in Caldwell County, ramping up an 82-person workforce during the next five years. The company, a leading global processor of materials for electronics components, plans to invest $20.9 million at the site over that period.

Company Plans to Hire 350 Customer Service Professionals