Press Releases

A manufacturer, a technology training partnership and four individual North Carolinians have won the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction for outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland announced today.

The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent.

Asheville Kombucha Mamas, LLC, a locally owned natural beverage company more commonly known as BUCHI, is expanding in Madison County, creating 28 new jobs and currently investing $2 million with plans to invest up to $7 million over the next three years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 21 grant requests totaling $6,935,250, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 616 jobs, 304 of which were previously announced.

Enforge, LLC, a manufacturer of steel-formed suspension and steering assemblies for automotive companies, is expanding in Stanly County, creating 44 new jobs and investing $4 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Thirteen additional counties are now eligible to participate in the temporary employment program that puts North Carolinians to work on recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Florence, N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today.

POLYWOOD, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastics, will create 384 jobs over five years in Person County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $35.3 million to open a manufacturing and distribution center in Roxboro. 

A new competitive grant program will support local efforts to meet workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today at the NCWorks Partnership Conference in Greensboro.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 88 of North Carolina’s counties in August, increased in four, and remained unchanged in eight. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.1 percent.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M.