Press Releases

Today Governor Josh Stein announced the winners of the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction for 2025. A high school health career training program, a manufacturer, a partnership supporting a major economic development project, and five individual North Carolinians received awards for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development. The award recipients were recognized on October 15 and October 16 during ceremonies held in Greensboro as part of the 38th annual NCWorks Partnership Conference.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced household appliance company Electrolux Consumer Products, Inc., will add 74 new jobs in Lenoir County. The company will invest more than $23.7 million to expand its Kinston dishwasher production facility and Manufacturing Center of Excellence for dish production in North America.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced MST Rebar Inc., a fiberglass rebar supplier, will create 83 new jobs in Bladen County. The company will invest more than $15.5 million to locate its first U.S. fiberglass rebar manufacturing facility in the town of Bladenboro.“North Carolina has the largest and most talented advanced manufacturing workforce in the Southeast – and it’s a great place to live,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We are pleased to welcome MST Rebar to our state.”

Governor Josh Stein today announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 21 grant requests for local governments totaling $9,815,885. The grants include commitments creating a total of 758 jobs, 489 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects is expected to attract more than $179 million in private and public investment.

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced Cardon Rehabilitation & Medical Equipment USA, LLC, a manufacturer of customizable powered treatment tables and exercise equipment, will add 20 new jobs in Lenoir County. The company will invest more than $4 million to establish its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Kinston.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Judco Manufacturing, Inc., an automotive supplier, will create 60 new jobs in Greene County. The company will invest more than $5.3 million to move its headquarters and research and development operations to Snow Hill.

The Division of Employment Security is ready to help federal government workers affected by the government shutdown.Employees in North Carolina who are furloughed or lose their jobs due to the temporary federal government shutdown may apply for unemployment benefits as soon as the first day the shutdown occurs.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 counties in August 2025, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in three. Edgecombe and Halifax Counties each had the highest unemployment rate at 6.1 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.5 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.5 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.0 percent.

Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed September 29 through October 4 North Carolina Manufacturing Week. With the eighth-largest manufacturing economy in the United States and the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast, manufacturing supports every sector of North Carolina’s economy.

Governor Josh Stein announced today that Walmart, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) plans to open a new fulfillment center in Kings Mountain. The estimated $300 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs in Gaston County. The 1.2 million–square-foot facility, located at 799 Sara Lee Access Road, is expected to open in 2027.