Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in December and remained unchanged in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.0 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.1 percent. The December not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.8 percent.

To promote workforce development and strengthen connections between education and job readiness, Governor Roy Cooper has declared the week of January 28-February 1, 2019 as Career Pathways Week in North Carolina. During the week, regional NCWorks Career Pathways teams will host workshops across the state aimed at raising awareness among K-12 and community college career counselors and teachers, as well as professionals who serve Vocational Rehabilitation clients and other special populations.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is investing $260,000 in Downtown Strong, a program to build local government capacity by providing economic development planning and revitalization resources and guidance. The program is a result of feedback gleaned from Governor Cooper’s Hometown Strong initiative. Downtown Strong will operate out of the Department of Commerce’s Main Street and Rural Planning Center.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent. North Carolina’s December 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,299 over the month to 4,818,454 and increased 74,190 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,173 over the month to 178,436 and decreased 43,413 over the year. 

Six North Carolina companies received 2018 Governor’s Export Awards Monday in a ceremony highlighting their success in increasing overseas sales, as well as the significant role exporting plays in the state’s economy. North Carolina’s export of goods and services supports more than 400,000 jobs in the state, according to the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce, the state’s lead agency for workforce and economic development, marked another successful year in 2018.

Design Foundry, LLC, will open a new furniture manufacturing facility in Catawba County, creating 202 new jobs over five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest more than $3.1 million in the project. 

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 56 of North Carolina’s counties in November, decreased in 14, and remained unchanged in 30. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Five of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, three decreased, and seven remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from October’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent. North Carolina’s November 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,415 over the month to 4,814,098 and increased 68,418 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,294 over the month to 177,230 and decreased 44,690 over the year.

Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, will expand operations in Catawba County, creating 100 new jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The company will add these jobs over four years and invest $31.4 million in the project.