Press Releases

North Carolina continues to make progress in its overall innovation capacity, a key driver of economic vitality, and keeps pace with the U.S. overall. However, to increase the level of prosperity throughout the state, a larger share of the state’s economy must transition to embrace and drive innovation, according to the latest edition of a closely watched report on innovation in North Carolina.

A company operating under the name Project Aero announced today that it will build a major manufacturing plant in Cumberland County to produce aerospace-grade titanium domestically, creating 304 jobs.  The company, American Titanium Metal, LLC, will invest $867.8 million in Fayetteville.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), a global leader in pet healthcare innovation, will establish a new manufacturing plant in Wilson County, creating 275 jobs. The company will invest $147 million in Wilson."We are excited to welcome IDEXX to Wilson County and look forward to their success in eastern North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state offers the talented workers and workforce training systems that help companies reliably produce the products their customers depend on every day.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2024 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, unchanged from May’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.

Nipro Medical Corporation, a leader in the global healthcare and medical device industry, has selected Pitt County for its first North American manufacturing center of excellence, creating 232 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $397.8 million to build a new manufacturing campus and U.S. headquarters in Greenville.

Morinaga America Foods, Inc., a subsidiary of the Japanese confectionary company Morinaga & Co., Ltd. will expand its current operations in Orange County with an investment of $136 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company reports it will create 204 jobs in Mebane.

Today, CNBC named North Carolina as second best state to do business and in the top three for the fifth year in a row thanks to our well-trained and diverse workforce, booming economy, and strong business environment. In 2019, North Carolina ranked third; in 2021, the state ranked second; and in both 2022 and 2023 North Carolina ranked first.

Durable skills included in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Portrait of a Graduate are essential to every occupation in the state, and jobseekers need these skills to meet employer demand, according to a

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in May 2024, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.0 percent while Buncombe and Currituck Counties each had the lowest at 2.8 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.7 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

Excel Interior Door, LLC, a manufacturer of residential doors, will create at least 37 new jobs as it relocates its headquarters to Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $10.5 million to establish its administrative offices and a new manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem.“North Carolina continues to attract manufacturers across all industries,” said Governor Cooper. “With our rich manufacturing legacy, access to raw materials, and a world-class workforce, we’re confident that Forsyth County will be a great home for Excel Interior Door.”