Press Releases

Today Governor Josh Stein proclaimed November 9-13 as “Employ A Veteran Week” with a variety of events being held statewide to help connect veterans to jobs and other services.   

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina received certification for 204 census tracts as Opportunity Zones by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This announcement reflects months of engagement with local leaders and communities across the state. These eligible low-income census tracts will benefit from enhanced federal tax treatment to attract private investment, create jobs, support business growth, revitalize communities, and expand housing opportunities. 

On behalf of Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley joined state and business leaders from across the Southeast and Japan in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 48th Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) and the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association. Lilley spoke at the October 25–27 conference’s opening ceremony and welcomed members of North Carolina’s delegation at a pre-conference reception, highlighting the state’s longstanding relationship with Japan and its commitment to expanding economic opportunities through

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in September 2026. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 4.7 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.3 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.2 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 2.7 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.1 percent.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C., a financial services provider, will add 200 jobs in Mecklenburg County. The company will invest $11.5 million to expand its operations to Charlotte.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Bracco, a global leader in diagnostic imaging, will create 200 jobs and invest $230 million in opening its first U.S. location to manufacture contrast media in the Lee County city of Sanford.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced US Conec Ltd., a global leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of high-density optical interconnects, will add 224 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $149.7 million to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hickory.“North Carolina companies appreciate the advantages of operating in our state,” said Governor Josh Stein. “US Conec’s decision to expand here validates the strength of our manufacturing base, our skilled talent, and our stable business climate.”

Today Governor Josh Stein and State Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley joined leaders of The Whiskey Project Group and local officials to celebrate the opening of the company’s new North American manufacturing facility in Edenton, expanding North Carolina’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and strengthening the state’s role in the defense industry.

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 visited Roanoke-Chowan Community College to highlight how a recent Southeast Crescent Regional Commission grant is helping the college work to train a welding workforce in Northeastern North Carolina.