Press Releases

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.

$69,316 from N.C. Commerce’s Main Street Solutions Fund will support downtown job growth

$175,000 from N.C. Commerce’s Main Street Solutions Fund will support downtown job growth

Consumer Foods Leader Launches $7.6 Million Expansion

State welcome centers now offer free wireless internet service

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. will create 35 jobs over the next five years as it expands operations in Macon County. The company plans to invest $2.9 million in its facility over that time.  

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in May and remained unchanged in two.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.5 percent.  Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.9 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.7 percent.  The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.7 percent.

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that United States Cold Storage, Inc. will create 50 jobs in Duplin County over the next five years as it expands its distribution and warehouse operations there. The company plans to invest $21.6 million at its facility in Warsaw over that time.

, N.C.-- North Carolina Commerce is now accepting applications for the Downtown Free Public Wi-Fi Access Pilot Grant Program. Eligible applicants could receive financial resources to expand and enhance free, public Wi-Fi access in downtown business districts throughout western North Carolina. Investments will range from $10,000 to $50,000 dollars. The program seeks to enable communities to create vibrant main streets that allow both visitors and businesses to be digitally connected. The deadline for applications is July 29, 2016.

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 31 grant and loan requests totaling $10,433,899. The requests include commitments to create a total of 622 new jobs. “Job growth favors communities that have ready-to-go sites, buildings and infrastructure,” said Governor McCrory. “These grants will help provide the assets and amenities companies seek when growing their businesses and creating jobs.”