Press Releases

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the North Carolina tourism economy reached its highest level ever with travelers spending more than $35.6 billion on trips to and within the state. The previous record of $33.3 billion was set in 2022.“We’re excited that North Carolina continues to be a top 5 state for visitors from around the world,” Governor Cooper said. “Our investments in tourism are paying dividends for our visitors experiencing the great things across North Carolina and for the great jobs it brings across the state.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 1,200 over the month to 5,075,803 and increased 28,573 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,202 over the month to 186,723 and increased 14,527 over the year.

Nineteen rural communities from across the state have been selected to participate in the Commerce Department’s program to increase their capacity to plan, implement, and manage economic development programs and opportunities. The Rural Community Capacity (RC2) program, an initiative from the Commerce Department, also involves Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business and East Carolina University’s Master of Public Administration program.

Today, leaders from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services formally launched a collaborative process of developing a report to the North Carolina General Assembly on opportunities to provide workforce development services in conjunction with the state’s Medicaid expansion. N.C. Commerce Chief Deputy Secretary Jordan Whichard and N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley convened a host of partners for a kick-off meeting at NCDHHS on the Dorothea Dix campus in Raleigh.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NC MEP) at North Carolina State University today released a collaborative report, Best Practices for Growing Manufacturing in North Carolina, coinciding with the first day of the North Carolina Manufacturing Conference held May 13-14, 2024, in Durham, North Carolina.

The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, is seeking applications for a competitive reentry grant to support local efforts in addressing workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.As part of Governor Cooper’s NC Job Ready initiative, the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund plans to award a grant of up to $125,000, supporting a local partnership working to make a lasting impact on reentry efforts. This round of grant-making will support a two-year implementation grant.

Green New Energy Materials, Inc., an experienced manufacturer of a key component used in lithium-ion batteries will establish its first manufacturing operation in the United States in Lincoln County, creating 545 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $140 million in the community of Denver, North Carolina.

Crystal Window & Door Systems, a leading manufacturer of replacement and new construction windows will locate a manufacturing center in Johnston County, creating 501 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $83.6 million in Selma."More great manufacturing jobs are coming to Johnston County and North Carolina, the number one state for business in the country,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state’s skilled workforce, paired with North Carolina’s world-class transportation network and favorable business climate, make for a winning combination every time.”

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.