Press Releases

Applications are now being accepted for a new round of grantmaking from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a key source of capital for North Carolina’s emerging technology companies.  The state program works in conjunction with two federal technology grants, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.  For the first time since 2009, the state will not only match awarded federal grants but will now help fund companies’ efforts to prepare and submit initial SBIR or STTR proposals to the federal government.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders has named Jennifer Mundt, an experienced legislative analyst and policy executive, as the department’s Assistant Secretary of Clean Energy Economic Development, an important new role at the state’s lead agency for economic development.    Ms. Mundt will guide North Carolina’s efforts to secure economic development and workforce opportunities in the increasingly important clean energy industry sector, including development of the state’s resources for offshore wind energy (OSW).

Medical equipment supplier, Innosonian America, LLC, will create 34 new jobs in Franklin County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $345,000 to relocate its warehousing and sales facility to the Town of Youngsville. “It’s good to kick off economic recruitment in 2022 with important jobs in rural North Carolina created by global company Innosonian,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina’s world class workforce, location and quality of life can meet this innovative company’s needs.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced 24,224 new jobs in North Carolina last year, representing 185 business recruitment, expansion or rural development projects that engaged with the North Carolina Department of Commerce or its team at the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. in 2021.  These projects will bring $10.1 billion of capital investment into the state, marking new all-time highs for economic development performance.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in November and increased in three. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.0 percent while Orange 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 5.2 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.7 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

Science 37, Inc. [ NASDAQ: SNCE ], the Agile Clinical Trial Operating Systemtm, will relocate its corporate headquarters from California to North Carolina’s Research Triangle region and create 250 jobs over five years in Wake County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest nearly $1.5 million to establish operations in the Town of Morrisville.

The majority of respondents to a rolling survey of North Carolina businesses launched in October expressed optimism for the future of their businesses and reported they were meeting or exceeding revenue goals, according to preliminary results from the state’s new Business Pulse Survey.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.4 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent. North Carolina’s November 2021 unemployment rate decreased 2.5 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 18,133 over the month to 4,843,510 and increased 130,872 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 10,177 over the month to 198,226 and decreased 124,884 over the year.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded 21 Community Development Block Grant - Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) requests to local governments totaling $14.9 million. The requests will provide housing and public improvements for low- and moderate-income North Carolinians.  “It costs more now to buy or rent so it’s critical that we invest more in affordable housing,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These neighborhood revitalization grants will help us build stronger and more resilient communities across our state.”

LT Apparel Group, a leading manufacturer of childrenswear apparel is expanding operations in North Carolina with an investment of at least $57 million in Greensboro. The company’s project will add a minimum of 116 new jobs to the community and will help increase industrial capacity at the Reedy Fork Corporate Park. “Manufacturers continue to choose North Carolina for expansion projects that are critical to their bottom line,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “LT Apparel Group’s decision demonstrates confidence in our workforce and the growth of our state."