Press Releases

Community and economic development leaders from across North Carolina will explore how three key ingredients combine to support vibrant downtowns at the 2019 edition of the N.C. Main Street Conference, the state’s premier gathering for downtown revitalization and development.  The conference, organized by the Department of Commerce and its N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, will convene March 12-14 in Salisbury.

Six local partnerships across North Carolina have won grants totaling almost $1.5 million to support efforts to connect people with the skills they need to get good-paying jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. He made the announcement at the North Carolina Research Campus location of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, lead partner for one of the innovative programs awarded a grant. 

Governor Roy Cooper has established a North Carolina Entrepreneurial Council to support policies that encourage entrepreneurship, foster economic development, and support sustainable, high-quality jobs. “Entrepreneurs play a key role in stimulating our economy, creating new businesses and jobs and helping to revitalize communities across our state,” said Gov. Governor Cooper. “This diverse council will elevate North Carolina’s entrepreneurial spirit and promote innovation in our economy.” 

Aetna, a CVS Health business, is growing its presence in North Carolina and will add more than 300 new employees in High Point by the end of 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The business will invest approximately $2.5 million to upgrade its facilities and equipment in conjunction with this expansion.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 11 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,127,500, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 460 jobs, 307 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $69 million in private investment.

BestCo LLC, a developer and manufacturer of consumer healthcare products, will create 141 jobs as it expands its manufacturing center in Iredell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest an additional $47.5 million in the facility, located in Mooresville. “Companies choose to invest in communities where they’ll be able to succeed, and BestCo decided to expand in Mooresville because it knows this community,” Governor Cooper said. “Employers that know North Carolina know we have the talent, infrastructure and businesses climate they need to thrive.”

AveXis, Inc., a leading gene therapy company developing treatments for rare and life-threatening neurological diseases, will create 200 jobs as it expands its manufacturing center in Durham County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The new center was first announced in May of last year. AveXis will invest an additional $60 million in the facility.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in December and remained unchanged in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.0 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.1 percent. The December not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.8 percent.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce issued more than 75,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) certifications to more than 2,500 employers in 2018, the department’s Workforce Solutions division announced today. Both figures represented increases from 2017. The WOTC is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire individuals from eligible target groups who are qualified for positions but face significant barriers to employment. In North Carolina, the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) administers WOTC and determines eligibility for the target groups.

To promote workforce development and strengthen connections between education and job readiness, Governor Roy Cooper has declared the week of January 28-February 1, 2019 as Career Pathways Week in North Carolina. During the week, regional NCWorks Career Pathways teams will host workshops across the state aimed at raising awareness among K-12 and community college career counselors and teachers, as well as professionals who serve Vocational Rehabilitation clients and other special populations.