Press Releases

RALEIGH, N.C. – A new report released today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and NC Child says helping parents of young children get back into North Carolina’s workforce could add up to $7.5 billion to the state’s GDP, generate up to an additional $13.3 billion in annual economic input, and create up to 68,000 new jobs statewide.  

The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2024 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, remaining unchanged from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 659 over the month to 5,068,142 and increased 3,902 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,708 over the month to 197,885 and increased 11,192 over the year.

The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation has awarded 80 North Carolina innovation-based small businesses a total of $2.339 million in funding to develop groundbreaking new technologies with the potential for commercialization.

The Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that 12 additional counties have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) because of the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene, which brings the total approved for DUA to 39 counties plus the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.

The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 22 grant requests to local governments totaling $8,401,717, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 557 jobs, 413 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $83.7 million in public and private investment.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Cedar Direct, LLC, a lumberdistributor, will create 20 new jobs in Rutherford County. The company will invest $925,000 tolocate a distribution and warehousing facility in the Town of Spindale.“Cedar Direct is setting up operations in Rutherford County at a time where the spirit ofcollaboration and resiliency is on full display,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision by CedarDirect provides new economic opportunities for a skilled and hardworking people.”

To aid businesses as they continue the recovery process following Hurricane Helene, the Division of Employment Security (DES) has extended the deadline for businesses in the 27 counties and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina area to meet their third quarter wage filing requirements.The new deadline for these disaster-impacted businesses to complete their third quarter wage filing requirements is December 31, 2024.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina has received approval from the United States Department of Labor for an initial grant of $10 million to provide jobs and training services in areas that were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that Mecklenburg and Swain counties have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) because of the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene, joining 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina that were previously announced. Additional counties may be added to the DUA availability designation at a later date.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Weatherby Healthcare, Inc. a medical staffing company, will add 155 jobs to Wake County. The company will invest more than $7.6 million to expand its operations in the City of Raleigh.“Weatherby has made a great decision to reinvest in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Wake County sits in the heart of our state and is the home of an international airport and a highly educated workforce, making it an ideal location for corporate businesses.”