Press Releases

The state’s seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from May’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.9 percent. North Carolina’s June 2021 unemployment rate decreased 4.2 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 12,600 over the month to 4,769,929 and increased 365,146 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 8,422 over the month to 231,636 and decreased 192,329 over the year.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce today released the Economic Development Strategic Plan for the State of North Carolina. The plan, titled First in Talent, recognizes that investing in North Carolina’s workforce is the key to building a more prosperous and resilient economy for all North Carolinians. The comprehensive economic development plan is a four-year plan that identifies three key goals critical to the state’s economic development strategy:

One year after Governor Roy Cooper announced the launch of NCcareers.org, a comprehensive career information system, NCcareers.org has experienced 1.3 million page views with more than 178,300 unique users exploring occupations in North Carolina.

Metal Specialist LLC, a custom metal fabricator, will create 33 new jobs in Duplin County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $2.9 million to build a new headquarters operations and manufacturing facility in the Town of Wallace. “We are excited to announce that Metal Specialist has made the deliberate decision to expand in rural North Carolina," said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina-based companies know that our resilient economy, our great quality of life and our skilled workforce will continue to support their growth trajectory.”

Red Bull and filling company Rauch will partner to build a new beverage manufacturing, filling and distribution center in Cabarrus County, creating more than 400 new jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The combined project will invest more than $740 million in the City of Concord by 2027.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved a $150,000 grant to Davidson County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. A commitment to create 21 new jobs and a private investment of $192,155 are tied to the grant.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded grants totaling almost $288,000 to support three innovative youth workforce development projects, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper announced today. “Business leaders tell me their number one need is skilled talent, especially as we emerge from the pandemic. These Youth Initiative Grants will help those businesses by preparing young people with the experience and training they need to get the good paying jobs they provide,” said Governor Cooper.

Roseburg Forest Products, an innovative U.S. forest products manufacturer, will create 137 new jobs in Halifax County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest a total of $200 million to develop a sustainable high-tech sawmill operation in the Town of Weldon. “We are continuing our efforts to bring good paying jobs to rural North Carolina and it will be great to have Roseburg Forest Products in Halifax County,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision underscores the confidence companies have in our state, our location, our workforce and our quality of life.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 77 of North Carolina’s counties in May, decreased in eight, and remained unchanged in 15. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.3 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, one decreased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.5 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.7 percent. The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.5 percent.

Elkay Manufacturing, a leading producer of sinks and water delivery products, will expand its operations in Robeson County, leading to the creation of 20 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.5 million in a facility in Lumberton, becoming the first tenant in the Lumberton/Robeson County I-95/I-74 Industrial Park.