Press Releases

Armorock, LLC, the world’s largest manufacture of polymer concrete structures, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Edgecombe County, creating 55 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest $6.6 million in Battleboro in order to be closer to its growing customer base in the Southeast.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper met with business leaders, workforce development representatives, and local community colleges and university administrators to discuss economic development in North Carolina. Governor Cooper and his office have recruited and announced more than 62,000 jobs. More than 6,923 were announced in Mecklenburg County, along with $539 million in investment.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 45 of North Carolina’s counties in December, increased in 25, and remained unchanged in 30. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.5 percent. Ten of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one increased, and four remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 4.4 percent and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.7 percent. The December not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.3 percent.

Today, six North Carolina manufacturers received 2019 Governor’s Export Awards in a ceremony highlighting their growing sales success in international markets. These manufacturers make everything from cosmetics to heavy-duty plastic waste containers. North Carolina’s export of goods and services supports more than 400,000 jobs in the state, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution.

Community and economic development leaders from across the state will gather for the 2020 North Carolina Main Street Conference March 10-12. Organized by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and its N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center, the conference will convene in New Bern to explore downtown revitalization and economic development strategies.

North Carolina wrapped up 2019 with production companies spending more than $167 million in direct in-state expenses, the most money spent on television and film projects in the last five years. Combined, the projects created 11,820 job opportunities for North Carolina’s highly-skilled film professionals.

Two workforce incentive programs managed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce reached higher benchmarks last year, indicating more people found jobs thanks to the financial support these programs provide to North Carolina employers.

Pactiv Corporation, a food packaging manufacturer and distributor, will create 25 new jobs in Guilford County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest a minimum of $8 million to expand their current facility in Greensboro. “Companies like Pactiv choose to expand in North Carolina because our state has the right ingredients for success: the infrastructure and workforce to help grow their business,” said Governor Cooper.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from November’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.5 percent.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), a global healthcare and biopharmaceutical company, will invest over $470 million and create more than 460 new jobs in Durham, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project will bring a new state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility to North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. "Life science companies like Lilly continue to choose North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Our exceptional workforce draws global companies as we continue to grow North Carolina into a worldwide hub for the biotechnology industry.”