Press Releases

Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent. North Carolina’s February 2019 unemployment rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 8,831 over the month to 4,817,920 and increased 57,152 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 3,712 over the month to 194,753 and decreased 12,502 over the year.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.0 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.6 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.5 percent.

North Carolina Main Street Champions will be recognized today for their commitment to downtown improvements and strong communities during a Recognition Ceremony in Salisbury starting at 9:00am (March 14). Forty-three Champions will receive honors for contributions to their Main Street programs and downtown districts in 2018. This year’s group of Main Street Champions brings the total number to 721 that have been recognized by the North Carolina Department of Commerce over the past 19 years.

Fourteen communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization this evening at the North Carolina Main Street and Small Town Main Street Awards Ceremony.  The ceremony began today, Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. Chief Deputy Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Commerce Liz Crabill and Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development Kenny Flowers will present the awards in categories that include economic vitality, design, promotion and organization.

This press release, first published on March 11, 2019, has been updated to now include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' historical revisions for all labor force data, including updated information for the January 2018 labor force data as well as the reported over-the-year changes. The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.

Twenty-four communities located in smaller, rural counties across the state were selected by the N.C. Department of Commerce to participate in Downtown Strong, a new initiative of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  The program will provide downtown revitalization expertise to selected incorporated rural communities.

Cellectis, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company is planning to create up to 200 jobs as it locates its U.S. commercial-scale manufacturing facility in Wake County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company is developing immunotherapies based on gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cells (UCART).

Community and economic development leaders from across North Carolina will explore how three key ingredients combine to support vibrant downtowns at the 2019 edition of the N.C. Main Street Conference, the state’s premier gathering for downtown revitalization and development.  The conference, organized by the Department of Commerce and its N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, will convene March 12-14 in Salisbury.

Six local partnerships across North Carolina have won grants totaling almost $1.5 million to support efforts to connect people with the skills they need to get good-paying jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. He made the announcement at the North Carolina Research Campus location of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, lead partner for one of the innovative programs awarded a grant. 

Governor Roy Cooper has established a North Carolina Entrepreneurial Council to support policies that encourage entrepreneurship, foster economic development, and support sustainable, high-quality jobs. “Entrepreneurs play a key role in stimulating our economy, creating new businesses and jobs and helping to revitalize communities across our state,” said Gov. Governor Cooper. “This diverse council will elevate North Carolina’s entrepreneurial spirit and promote innovation in our economy.”