Press Releases

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 96 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in four.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.9 percent.  All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.5 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 4.1 percent.  The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.2 percent. 

 The success story of North Carolina’s economy is in front of a world-wide audience, featured in a multi-page profile headlined North Carolina: Transformation Through Innovation in a recent issue of Newsweek magazine. Articles include interviews with Governor Pat McCrory, Commerce Secretary John Skvarla, Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson and Economic Development Partnership of N.C. CEO Christopher Chung.

Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina announced today that U-Play Corporation will establish a manufacturing plant in Wayne County, where it will create 88 new jobs during the next four years. The Chinese company will invest nearly $21.3 million at a location near the Town of Mount Olive in what will be U-Play’s first-ever U.S. location.  

—The state’s seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from May’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.9 percent. North Carolina’s June 2016 unemployment rate was 0.9 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,774 over the month to 4,614,725 and increased 133,046 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 10,900 over the month to 239,440, and decreased 35,598 over the year.

Carolina Connector expected to create 1,500 jobs throughout North Carolina

Move will create 46 jobs in Catawba County

North Carolina will bolster its investments in business growth and the skills of young adults by expanding apprenticeship programs across the state. Governor Pat McCrory secured an additional $500,000 for apprenticeships, as well as $110,000 in tuition waivers for youth apprentices enrolled in North Carolina’s community college system in 2016-17. Under McCrory’s leadership, the state has eliminated the fees for participating businesses and doubled the number of new apprentices in a two-year period.

State vaults ahead four slots over previous year

Cary, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that Relias Learning LLC will add more than 450 jobs over the coming five years in Wake County. The company plans to invest $4.5 million at its location in the Town of Cary through the end of 2020.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III announced today that North Carolina is one of America’s top five states for business, according to the national business television network CNBC.  The state’s number five ranking in the closely watched measurement marks a significant improvement over its 2015 performance, where it ranked ninth among the states.