Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in September, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.0 percent, while Watauga County had the lowest at 4.6 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, one decreased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 9.4 percent and Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 6.0 percent. The September not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 7.0 percent.

Eastern Wholesale Fence, LLC, a New York-based fence manufacturing company, will create 142 jobs in Rowan County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $17.5 million to create a manufacturing center of excellence in Salisbury to better fulfill demand for their product.

Texwipe, a global manufacturer of contamination control supplies, will create 33 new jobs in Surry County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $4.5 million to locate a manufacturing facility in Mount Airy. “Our state’s economy continues to grow, despite public health and economic challenges,” said Governor Cooper. “Companies like Texwipe choose to grow in North Carolina’s because of our talented workforce and our state’s strong management of the pandemic."

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that a coding education initiative, an auto repair and tire shop, and four individual North Carolinians have won NCWorks Awards of Distinction. The recipients were recognized during the 33rd annual NCWorks Partnership Conference, organized by the N.C. Department of Commerce and held this year in a virtual format.

Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX) plans to invest approximately $650 million and create 800 jobs through 2027 in Asheville, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project will bring a new high-tech turbine airfoil production facility to Buncombe County.

The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 7.3 percent, increasing 0.8 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point to 7.9 percent. North Carolina’s September 2020 unemployment rate increased 3.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 38,683 over the month to 4,558,033 and decreased 352,111 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 44,278 over the month to 356,952 and increased 166,666 over the year.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 16 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,511,075, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 530 jobs, 164 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $91.3 million in private investment.  

RMC Advanced Technologies, Inc. (“RMC”), a manufacturer of molded plastic and composite parts, will develop a new manufacturing operation in Newton, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest to expand a facility previously used for plastics manufacturing. 

Hamilton Drywall Products, a manufacturer of drywall finishing products, will create 34 new jobs in Union County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5 million to locate a regional headquarters and production facility in Monroe. “Even during a pandemic, another manufacturer is choosing to expand their operations in North Carolina. Companies like Hamilton Drywall are confident in our workforce and our ability to manage the crisis, making our state a great partner for businesses that are growing,” said Governor Cooper.

Benestar Brands, an international snack food manufacturer, will create 129 jobs in Cleveland County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $24 million to establish a new production facility in Kings Mountain. “Even during a pandemic, companies like Benestar Brands can expand operations because of our strong workforce, quality transportation network and management of this crisis,” said Governor Cooper.