Press Releases

The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2026 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,623 over the month to 5,053,743 and decreased 49,720 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,204 over the month to 179,830 and decreased 24,757 over the year.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced the winners of the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction for 2026. A regional apprenticeship initiative, a manufacturer, a sector partnership, and five individual North Carolinians received awards for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development. The award recipients were recognized on October 14 and 15 during ceremonies held in Greensboro as part of the 39th annual NCWorks Partnership Conference.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina's Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved nine grant requests for local governments totaling $2,236,000. The grants include commitments to create a total of 219 jobs, 141 of which were previously announced. As a result of these grants, the additional private investment in these projects is expected to exceed $504 million.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Utili-Serve, LLC, a utility infrastructure company, will add 105 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $24.8 million to expand its headquarters and construct a new 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Conover.

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced Corvid Technologies, an employee-owned non-traditional defense contractor, will add 423 jobs in Iredell County. The company will invest $95 million to expand its Mooresville campus and build an additional advanced manufacturing facility.

Applications to the One North Carolina Small Business Program are now being accepted from technology-based, small businesses that call North Carolina home.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded employer engagement grants totaling $660,000 to 13 local workforce development boards, Governor Josh Stein announced today.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that more than 500 high school students completed summer pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship academies this year through the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) in programs focused on electrical trades, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology, and health care.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley issued a statement on Caterpillar's plans to expand its production capacity with a new manufacturing facility in Sanford:“Caterpillar’s billion-dollar investment in North Carolina is putting down even deeper roots in Sanford. Their investment is a powerful reflection of the manufacturing excellence, innovation, and opportunity that have become synonymous with North Carolina.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 91 counties in August 2026 and remained unchanged in nine. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.4 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Twelve of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and three remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.8 percent while Asheville and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.