Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is now accepting applications from other state agencies and non-profit organizations for special grants designed to help small businesses train workers. The department’s Workforce Solutions division is making up to $2 million available for these grants, from federal funds allocated to North Carolina through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 14 grant requests to local governments totaling $2,979,648, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The $2.9 million in funding is on top of more than $42 million already awarded this year, making 2022 a record year for RIA investment in rural North Carolina. The requests include commitments to create a total of 494 jobs, 128 of which were previously announced.

Future Meat Technologies Inc. d/b/a Believer Meats, a cultivated meat company, will create up to 100 new jobs in Wilson County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will make an initial investment of more than $123 million to establish its first commercial-scale food manufacturing facility in Wilson. 

Sumitomo Forestry America, Inc., a comprehensive housing and wood products company will create 129 jobs in Randolph County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company, through a new wholly owned subsidiary, will establish a manufacturing facility and invest $19.5 million in Archdale.

Alamance Foods, Inc., a manufacturer of a variety of consumer food products, will invest $42 million to expand its North Carolina operations in Alamance County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will create 135 jobs in Burlington.

Woodgrain, Inc., a building products company, will create 42 new jobs in Nash County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $7.5 million to expand its door-hanging operation in Rocky Mount. “It’s great that Rocky Mount is Woodgrain’s top choice for its expansion,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision is indicative of the company’s positive experience with our strong communities, manufacturing economy and our world class workforce.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in October and decreased in one. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.2 percent while Asheville, Durham-Chapel Hill, and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.3 percent. The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.9 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted October 2022 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.2 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 10,310 over the month to 4,933,609 and increased 154,352 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 9,944 over the month to 194,125 and decreased 23,846 over the year.

Ziehl-Abegg, Inc., a manufacturer of commercial ventilation systems, will create 189 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company says it will invest more than $100 million to expand its operations and relocate its North American headquarters to Winston-Salem. “I am delighted to congratulate Ziehl-Abegg on this expansion in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County,” said Governor Cooper. “The company’s increased investment is a great vote of confidence in our thriving economy, central East Coast location, and skilled manufacturing workforce.”

North Carolina will celebrate “Employ A Veteran Week,” November 7-11, with a variety of events that help connect veterans to jobs and other services, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.