Press Releases

The North Carolina Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC TOWERS), held its second meeting in Wilmington May 5th. NC TOWERS brings together representatives from government, industry, wildlife and environmental advocates, community leaders and the military to help North Carolina take advantage of the economic and environmental opportunities that offshore wind and the associated supply chain present.

Fifteen local governments across the state have been awarded $45.8 million to help seventeen motorsports venues in their communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The grants from the state’s Motorsports Relief Fund, administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, will enhance local tourism, travel, and hospitality industries that benefit from the many motorsports events held in North Carolina.

COSMOIND Co., Ltd., a polyethylene infrastructure piping manufacturer, will create 168 new jobs in Nash County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $12.8 million to build its first North American manufacturing campus for industrial, natural gas, and drinking water pipes in Middlesex.

Max Solutions, Inc., a specialty packaging manufacturer, will create 150 new jobs in Cabarrus County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $27 million to build a manufacturing facility in the City of Concord. “North Carolina’s reputation for manufacturing continues to attract entrepreneurs across all industries and Cabarrus County is the perfect spot,” said Governor Cooper. “With our talent, transportation, and East Coast location, manufacturers in all phases of growth can count on North Carolina to support their success.”

Champion Home Builders, a provider of manufactured and modular homes, will expand its North Carolina operations to create 182 jobs in Scotland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $18.7 million into the acquisition and planned future development of a manufacturing campus in Laurinburg.

Premix Group, a plastics manufacturer, will create more than 30 new jobs in Gaston County, North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today. The company will invest $47 million to locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in North Carolina.

Atlantic Building Components & Services, Inc., a manufacturer of wood trusses and building components for the construction industry, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Robeson County, creating 105 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $6 million in Fairmont.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 1 - 7, 2022 as Small Business Week to celebrate America’s entrepreneurs and the impact of small businesses on North Carolina’s economy. “From the mountains to the coast, small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy,” Governor Cooper said. “As we emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever, we’re committed to providing the educated workforce and resources these entrepreneurs need to succeed.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the North Carolina tourism industry saw a major recovery in 2021 with $28.9 billion in visitor spending. With domestic travel reaching new heights as international visitation lagged, the total falls just 1 percent below the record set in 2019 and represents a 45 percent increase from pandemic-stricken 2020.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 85 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in three, and remained unchanged in 12. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.7 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.1 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.