Press Releases

Two local partnership groups have won grants totaling $450,000 to support innovative efforts addressing workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.The two-year implementation grants come from the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund, which Governor Cooper established as part of his NC Job Ready initiative to prepare North Carolina’s workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2023 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, remaining unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 20,351 over the month to 5,033,140 and increased 42,690 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,076 over the month to 175,754 and decreased 1,737 over the year.

North Carolina has received approval for a $7.5 million federal workforce grant to help workers who were affected by the Pactiv Evergreen layoffs in Canton and Waynesville, Governor Roy Cooper has announced. $2.5 million will be made available immediately, and the remainder will be distributed as needed to support workforce development efforts in the weeks and months to come. 

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 11 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,478,850, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 383 jobs, 173 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $91 million in private investment.

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that 29 local governments in rural areas across the state have been awarded grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund, a robust source of support for rural economic development projects in North Carolina. A total of $8 million will be issued in this third round of grantmaking from the Fund, which helps local governments overcome challenges that limit their economic competitiveness. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and its Rural Economic Development Division administers the fund.

ProKidney, Corp., a late clinical-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on chronic kidney disease (CKD), will be establishing a new biomanufacturing facility in Guilford County, potentially creating up to 330 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Auction Direct USA, an operator of a network of used vehicle superstores, will expand its operations in North Carolina by locating a new high-volume vehicle reconditioning facility in Granville County, creating 173 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $2.9 million in Oxford.

Today, the North Carolina Department of Commerce launched two new initiatives and web pages aimed at strategically positioning North Carolina consortia and companies for potential federal designation as Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hub), and for other federal investments enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

Bosch will add 400 new jobs in Lincoln County for its power tools business, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company says it will invest $130 million to expand its power tools accessory manufacturing site in the City of Lincolnton.“It is great news that Bosch has selected to expand its North American manufacturing operations right here in Lincolnton,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state's strong rural communities and talented workforce continue to attract businesses and provide opportunities for growth.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in April 2023 and increased in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.8 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.5 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.1 percent.