Press Releases

Governor Cooper Announces Ross Stores to Build New Distribution Center, Adding 850 Jobs and Investing $450 Million in Randolph County

Retailer, Ross Stores, Inc.  (“Ross”) will create 852 jobs in Randolph County, Governor Cooper announced today. The company will invest $450 million to build a Southeastern region distribution center in the City of Randleman.

N.C. Extends its Growth Spurt in Visitor Spending, Rises to No. 5 In U.S. Visitation

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the North Carolina tourism economy reached its highest level ever with travelers spending more than $35.6 billion on trips to and within the state. The previous record of $33.3 billion was set in 2022.

North Carolina’s April Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.

Nineteen Rural Communities Selected for Third Round of Capacity Building Program

Nineteen rural communities from across the state have been selected to participate in the Commerce Department’s program to increase their capacity to plan, implement, and manage economic development programs and opportunities.

State agencies launch Medicaid Expansion workforce development planning

Today, leaders from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services formally launched a collaborative process of developing a report to the North Carolina General Assembly on opportunities to provide workforce development services in conjun

New Report Highlights Opportunities for Manufacturers to Successfully Evolve with Emerging Technologies

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NC MEP) at North Carolina State University today released a collaborative report, Best Practices for

Governor Cooper announces NCWorks Local Innovation Fund Reentry grant opportunity

The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, is seeking applications for a competitive reentry grant to support local efforts in addressing workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Governor Cooper Announces 501 Jobs as Window Manufacturer Selects Johnston County

Crystal Window & Door Systems, a leading manufacturer of replacement and new construction windows will locate a manufacturing center in Johnston County, creating 501 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $83.6 million in Selma.

North Carolina’s Success in the Clean Energy Economy Continues with 545 New Jobs Coming to Lincoln County

Green New Energy Materials, Inc., an experienced manufacturer of a key component used in lithium-ion batteries will establish its first manufacturing operation in the United States in Lincoln County, creating 545 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

North Carolina's March County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 44 of North Carolina’s counties in March 2024, increased in 22, and remained unchanged in 34. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.