Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 39 of North Carolina’s counties in November 2023, decreased in 17, and remained unchanged in 44. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Buncombe and Swain Counties each had the lowest at 2.6 percent. Five of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, two decreased, and eight remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 4.6 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.8 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2023 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent.

North Carolina’s multi-year strategic economic development plan enters its next stage of implementation today with the creation of a new position in the North Carolina Department of Commerce devoted to addressing the insufficient supply of high quality and affordable child care in North Carolina.

This year, Governor Roy Cooper announced 14,114 new jobs in North Carolina, representing 134 business recruitment, expansion, or rural development projects that engaged with the North Carolina Department of Commerce or its team at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. These projects will bring $12.9 billion of capital investment into the state, led by companies engaged in clean energy industries that are transforming the state’s economy.

DMA Industries, LLC, a supplier of aftermarket automotive and heavy duty replacement parts, will expand and modernize its distribution operations in Columbus County, creating 21 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $1.27 million in its warehouse and distribution facility in Tabor City.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 10 grant requests to local governments totaling $2,080,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 316 jobs, 21 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $40.8 million in private investment.

Today, Governor Cooper announced that Millwork & Panel LLC, a residential siding manufacturer, will create 48 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $14.3 million over the next three years to expand its vinyl siding operations in the City of Claremont.

Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders of the North Carolina Department of Commerce sent a letter to the North Carolina Congressional delegation on Monday calling for deferment of the Internal Revenue Code Section 174's amortization requirement concerning research and experimentation expenditures.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 84 of North Carolina’s counties in October 2023, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in 11. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Swain County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.3 percent.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce released the county tier designations for 2024 today. The designations, which are mandated by state law, play a role in several programs that assist in economic development.