Press Releases

Merck (NYSE: MRK), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, will invest more than $650 million and create more than 400 jobs in North Carolina, building a new production facility at its Maurice R. Hilleman Center for Vaccine Manufacturing in Durham and expanding its packaging operations in Wilson.  This substantial project will enable Merck to meet growing demand for GARDASIL and GARDASIL 9 recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is used to prevent several cancers associated with HPV.

Black’s Tire Service, Inc, a tire distributor and service company will create 26 jobs as it expands its operations in Columbus County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $2.7 million to expand their current distribution center, located in Whiteville.

Governor Cooper announced additional federal funding is now available for the temporary employment program that helps North Carolinians get back to work in areas affected by Hurricane Florence. “Getting back to work is one of the biggest steps to getting back into the rhythm of daily life after a devastating weather event like a hurricane,” said Governor Cooper. “I will continue pushing for funds and programs that can get people back to work and help us rebuild smarter and stronger.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, remaining unchanged from May’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent. North Carolina’s June 2019 unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 16,068 over the month to 4,868,002 and increased 77,262 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 3,846 over the month to 210,760 and increased 17,000 over the year.

Today, one year since the creation of the Finish Line Grants program, Governor Roy Cooper announced that more than 1,700 Finish Line Grants have helped community college students complete their training and prepare to enter the workforce. These grants total more than $1.1 million awarded to date. 

ABB, Inc. (NYSE: ABB), a global leader in electrification products, robotics, and industrial automation, will expand in Orange County and create more than 400 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest up to $39.9 million to upgrade equipment and increase the size of its current facility in Mebane. 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been awarded a Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund (JMAC) grant to support the upgrade and addition of manufacturing equipment at its Fayetteville tire plant.  As a result of this modernization project, Goodyear, one of Cumberland County’s largest private employers, will maintain its important role in the company’s operations and 2,000 North Carolina jobs will be protected.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in May, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in two. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.8 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.5 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.3 percent. The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.0 percent.

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that Mooresville-based home improvement company Lowe’s will locate a major new technology center in Charlotte, creating more than 1,600 jobs. “Lowe’s is expanding in a way that will take technology to new heights and this company knows its home state can provide the highly trained workforce it needs,” Gov. Cooper said. “We are committed to ensuring workers have the right skills to encourage companies to grow their footprint in our state with confidence.”

Governor Cooper announced today that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 21 grant requests to local governments totaling $10,790,000. The requests include commitments to create a total of 1,314 jobs, 515 which have previously been announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $123.7 million in private investment.