Press Releases

Program Reports 2,000 New Jobs, 319 New Businesses and $200,011,827 in Investments in FY 2016-17

Key sector of the state’s economy offers attractive career path for North Carolinians

igh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 26 of North Carolina’s counties in August, decreased in 25, and remained unchanged in 49.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.7 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.4 percent.  One of the state’s metro areas experienced a rate increase, three experienced decreases, and 11 remained unchanged.

Edwards Wood Products will invest $30 million to open new sawmill in Scotland County

North Carolina has received a $749,225 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support export growth among North Carolina’s small businesses, North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The grant extends the state’s support for North Carolina companies seeking to grow their business by selling products to international buyers.

Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, remaining unchanged from July’s revised rate.  The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent. North Carolina’s August 2017 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 2,496 over the month to 4,702,213 and increased 69,738 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 347 over the month to 200,200 and decreased 42,910 over the year.

Program will help N.C. companies enter new markets and expand business

igh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in July, decreased in three, and remained unchanged in four.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.4 percent.  All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.6 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.6 percent.  The July not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.5 percent. 

Company will invest $11.9 million to support new production lines

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has appointed Napoleon Wallace, a finance and community economic development executive, as the department’s Deputy Secretary to oversee the Divisions of Workforce Solutions and Rural Economic Development. Wallace had previously been serving as the Assistant Secretary for the rural division.