Press Releases

KNOLL America Inc., a supplier of conveyor and filtration systems, will create 31 new jobs in Gaston County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $7.8 million to locate a new U.S. headquarters operations and manufacturing facility in Gaston County’s Apple Creek Corporate Park. “We are excited to have another global manufacturer choose North Carolina for its headquarters,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision affirms our state’s reputation of having a strong manufacturing workforce and great quality of life.”

The North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center at the North Carolina Department of Commerce has announced that 52 North Carolina communities have been designated as a 2021 Accredited Main Street America™ program.

North Carolina’s success in winning high-impact economic development projects was recognized today with a coveted Gold Shovel Award from Area Development magazine, a leading industry trade publication covering corporate site selection and economic development.

Governor Roy Cooper today issued Executive Order No. 218 highlighting North Carolina’s commitment to offshore wind power as the state transitions to a clean energy economy.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 91 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in seven, and remained unchanged in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.3 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.4 percent.

Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (ASI), a world class provider of engineering, manufacturing and MRO services for military platforms, will create 30 new jobs in Craven County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.6 million to expand its manufacturing footprint in New Bern. “The decision by Aeronautical Systems to expand in Craven County is good news for eastern North Carolina’s economy,” said Governor Cooper. “It speaks to our strong workforce, location, resilience and quality of life when businesses continue to invest in our state.”

Credit Karma, a personal finance technology company, will add 600 new jobs in Mecklenburg County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $13 million to expand its Charlotte presence with a new high-tech engineering hub. “We are thrilled to have Credit Karma establish their East Coast headquarters in our state,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina is the ideal place for technology companies to do business, thanks to our tech-savvy talent, resilient economy and great quality of life.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 6.1 percent. North Carolina’s April 2021 unemployment rate decreased 8.5 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,497 over the month to 4,761,974 and increased 707,042 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 8,109 over the month to 250,865 and decreased 383,958 over the year.

Ardagh Group (NYSE:ARD), a global supplier of sustainable, infinitely recyclable, metal and glass packaging, will add 94 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest at least $195 million to expand its current beverage can metal manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem. Further, the new jobs will be at a prevailing wage of at least 130% of the local average.

White River Marine Group, LLC, a leading manufacturer of recreational boats, will open a manufacturing facility in Craven County, with a target of 500 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will make a significant investment in New Bern, creating its first coastal manufacturing site and adding Hatteras to its portfolio of well-known brands. “Boat and marine manufacturing requires specialized and experienced workers, and White River Marine knows our state can deliver the people they need to successfully expand their business in New Bern,” said Governor Cooper.