Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 44 of North Carolina’s counties in March 2024, increased in 22, and remained unchanged in 34. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. Six of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, four decreased, and five remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed April 28 – May 4, 2024 as Small Business Week to celebrate the impact of entrepreneurs and small businesses on North Carolina’s economy.

Boviet Solar, a global renewable energy company, will create 908 new jobs in Pitt County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $294 million to locate its first North American solar panel manufacturing facility in the City of Greenville.“It’s great to welcome Boviet Solar to North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision has proven yet again that North Carolina is a hub for clean energy, offering advanced manufacturers a skilled workforce, an excellent quality of life, and affordable communities to support its work in sustainability.”

Innovative Construction Group, LLC, an off-site construction services company serving developers, general contractors, and professional builders, expects to establish a new manufacturing facility in Chatham County and the Town of Siler City. The company plans to make a capital investment of approximately $39.8 million which will create, they believe, as many as 157 jobs over the next five years.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 31 grant requests to local governments totaling $10,982,835, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 565 jobs, 135 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $211 million in public and private investment.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,280 over the month to 5,074,635 and increased 39,323 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,098 over the month to 185,549 and increased 11,489 over the year.

Radél, Inc., a global manufacturer of electro-mechanical components, will locate a new state-of-the-art production facility in Forsyth County, creating 32 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $9 million in Winston-Salem to establish a U.S. East Coast manufacturing operation.

Samantha Cole has been named the first Child Care Business Liaison at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today. Cole brings nearly a decade of experience in economic development and government to the newly created position.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies North Carolina, Inc. will expand its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wake County, adding 680 jobs and investing $1.2 billion in the Town of Holly Springs, Governor Cooper announced today.

This week, Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper will host a historic visit from Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his wife Mrs. Kishida Yuko. The visit will feature a State Lunch at the Executive Mansion, visits to major Japanese employers in North Carolina and other sites. The State is working to put its best foot forward for the visit, including participation from noted North Carolina chefs and musicians.