Press Releases

Record visitor spending in 2017 was reflected with visitor spending increases in all 100 counties, N.C. Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland announced today. Visitor spending reached nearly $5.4 billion in Mecklenburg, $2.3 billion in Wake, $1.4 billion in Guilford and $1.1 in Buncombe and Dare counties. Rounding out the top 10 counties for visitor spending were Forsyth ($898 million), Durham ($814 million), New Hanover ($578 million), Brunswick ($563 million) and Cumberland ($542 million).

Up to $11.3 million in forgivable loans is available to small businesses in communities hit by Hurricane Matthew, the N.C. Department of Commerce reminded business owners today.

The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent. North Carolina’s July 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 13,077 over the month to 4,800,661 and increased 70,096 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 6,170 over the month to 203,407 and decreased 13,678 over the year.  

Jackson Paper Manufacturing Company, North Carolina’s largest recycled paper producer, will open a new plant in Burke County, creating 42 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest approximately $14 million in its new plant in Morganton and begin operations in the 2nd quarter of 2019. This new facility will produce more than 1 billion square feet per year of corrugated sheets for sale to corrugated box makers.

Meeting on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College on Aug. 8, the NCWorks Commission approved new Career Pathways, discussed the connections between education and employer needs, and certified local Career Centers.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in three.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.0 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent.  All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.3 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent.  The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.2 percent.

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL), a globally diversified financial services group providing insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance, will open an operational hub in Raleigh and create 365 new jobs over four years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $12.9 million in North Carolina by the end of 2019.

Half of North Carolina employers are having difficulty filling open positions, according to the results of a new survey of business hiring needs from late 2016 to early 2018. The 2018 Employer Needs Survey is published by the NCWorks Commission and conducted on its behalf by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD). 

North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper commended North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) employees today for leading a statewide drive to benefit young people in North Carolina’s out-of-home care system. Raleigh-based DWS staff launched the Luggage of Hope service project to provide luggage and toiletries to ease transitions for children in foster care.

Sensus USA, Inc., a provider of advanced metering technologies to utilities and municipalities, will expand its current operations in Durham County, creating 301 new jobs over five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $4 million in North Carolina by the end of 2019.