Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April. Dare County had the highest unemployment rate at 24.5 percent, while Bertie County had the lowest at 6.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton had the highest rate at 17.6 percent and Durham-Chapel Hill and Greenville each had the lowest rate at 9.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 12.5 percent.

GRAIL, Inc.., an innovative healthcare company pioneering a test that detects more than 50 cancers with a single blood draw, will invest $100 million and over time create 398 new jobs in Durham, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.&n

Governor Roy Cooper has announced that North Carolina has received a $6 million federal grant to support jobs and workforce training to help address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Getting more North Carolinians back to work in a safe way is a critical part of rebuilding our economy,” Governor Cooper said. “This grant will help workers and families that have been struggling financially due to COVID-19 get back on their feet.” 

Demographic and location data about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in April was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The new data regarding claims for benefits include details such as age range, the industries impacted, and the number of claims received from each of the state’s 100 counties.

Ontex Operations USA, LLC part of Belgium’s Ontex Group NV, has plans to establish significant new operations in Rockingham County that would create up to 403 new jobs by 2025, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will manufacture a range of personal care and hygiene products that will be sold through leading retailers in the USA and Canada. Expenditures for the land, building, and operating assets including those made by Ontex will generate an investment of $93.3 million.

Today, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland announced that Pryor Gibson will serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Employment Security (DES). He assumes the role immediately, and will be responsible for the Division’s operations, communication and accountability. “Pryor Gibson is a forceful presence to lead DES during this unprecedented economic stress,” said Secretary Copeland.

Unix Packaging, a California-based contract manufacturer of branded and private label beverages, will create 226 new jobs in Burke County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $19 million to locate its first East Coast manufacturing facility in Morganton. “Companies like Unix Packaging continue to choose North Carolina as the right choice for East Coast operations,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision shines a bright spotlight on North Carolina’s strong economy and ability to support growing companies amid this global pandemic.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 12.2 percent, increasing 7.9 percentage points from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 10.3 percentage points to 14.7 percent. North Carolina’s April 2020 unemployment rate increased 8.1 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 643,157 over the month to 4,112,383 and decreased 744,300 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 357,418 over the month to 573,118 and increased 367,922 over the year.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company has been awarded a Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund (JMAC) grant to support the relocation of its foundry operation from Mecklenburg County to Stanly County. In modernizing its production of cast iron soil pipe, fittings and castings, the company will retain at least 1,050 jobs in North Carolina as it invests $325 million in Stanly County.  At least 400 of these jobs will be based at the new foundry in Stanly County.

More information about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in North Carolina in March was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The new data regarding claims for benefits include details about the applicants’ demographics, the industries impacted, and the number of claims received from each of the state’s 100 counties.