Press Releases

The Department of Commerce’s Office of Urban Development will hold their annual N.C. Main Street Conference January 29-31 in New Bern. The conference theme – Main Street: Two Billion Reasons to Celebrate – is a nod to the state’s Main Street communities surpassing the $2 billion mark in combined downtown investment.

N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Pat Mitchell announced today that the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 17 grants totaling $10,546,399.

The N.C. Department of Commerce announced today that a new video and website on urban design and the importance of creating walkable communities, Designing Better Places, is available for viewing and download on the Commerce website at www.designingbetterplaces.com

, NC - Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that ASG (AGI Shorewood) will expand its manufacturing operations in Henderson County.  The company plans to create 50 new jobs in North Carolina and invest more than $8.5 million in East Flat Rock.  

More than 30 North Carolina businesses and 700 employees are benefitting from grants from the NC Incumbent Worker Development Program (IWDP) that were awarded in December 2013.  The program provides funding for employers to train their existing workforce. 

The N.C. Department of Commerce announced today that Roxboro, North Carolina has been awarded up to $175,000 from the Main Street Solutions Fund for the Kirby Rebirth and Uptown Renewal project. “The Office of Urban Development’s Main Street Solutions Fund continues to work closely with communities across North Carolina,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “We are pleased to provide direct support to small businesses in Roxboro’s Uptown District.”

The N.C. Department of Commerce announced today that Mount Airy has been designated a N.C. Certified Retirement Community. The N.C. General Assembly established the program in 2008 to designate communities that offer unprecedented quality of living that is desirable to retirees.“This designation will be a valuable economic development tool for the city of Mount Airy and its residents, “said N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker.  “The people of Mount Airy recognize the valuable contributions that retirees can make to the overall enhancement of their community. “

Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Richard Lindenmuth will become the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “North Carolina is starting to see signs of economic recovery, and this new partnership will strengthen our state’s recruiting efforts and increase efficiency,” said Gov. Pat McCrory. “Richard Lindenmuth’s leadership and job expertise in business operations will play a critical role in directing this new organization.”

, NC -  Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that InterFlex Acquisition Company, LLC will be expanding its operations in Wilkes County. The company plans to create 63 new jobs and invest more than $10.2 million over the next three years in Wilkesboro.   “Our administration remains focused on expanding partnerships with existing North Carolina businesses like InterFlex,” said Governor McCrory. “Wilkesboro and InterFlex will benefit greatly from this major expansion.”  

The Apprenticeship and Training Bureau, formerly a part of the N.C. Department of Labor, transitioned to the N.C. Department of Commerce on January 1.  The program combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction to develop workers who are fully competent in their respective occupations.