Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 49 of North Carolina’s counties in August 2024, decreased in 29, and remained unchanged in 22. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.4 percent while Dare County had the lowest at 3.3 percent. Six of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, five decreased, and four remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.5 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.3 percent.

Following a federal disaster declaration resulting from the devasting impacts from Hurricane Helene, the Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). 

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Johnson & Johnson (J&J), a world-leading healthcare company, will create 420 jobs in Wilson County. The company says it will invest more than $2 billion in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus for innovative biologics in the City of Wilson.

Reckitt*, a global leader in health, hygiene and nutrition, will establish a major production plant in Wilson County to produce the over-the-counter medicine Mucinex, creating 289 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $145.59 million in Wilson.

The state’s seasonally adjusted August 2024 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from July’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 6,456 over the month to 5,067,497 and increased 2,428 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 4,127 over the month to 199,637 and increased 16,115 over the year.

Veetee Foods, Inc., known as Veetee Food Group in the United Kingdom, will establish a major production plant in Johnston County creating 200 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The global food company specializing in the production of tasty shelf-stable meals will invest $35.7 million in Selma.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that GP Portable Buildings LLC, a manufacturer of outdoor storage buildings, will create 51 new jobs in Richmond County. The company will invest $7.4 million to locate a manufacturing facility in Marston.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 83 of North Carolina’s counties in July 2024, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in 14. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.8 percent while Dare County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. Twelve of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and three remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.3 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.3 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted July 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 5,266 over the month to 5,073,805 and increased 9,533 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 5,155 over the month to 195,533 and increased 16,105 over the year.

The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved eight grant requests to local governments totaling $1,650,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 297 jobs, 56 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $234 million in public and private investment.