Press Releases

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that an expansion by Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. will bring 275 new R&D and pharma-manufacturing jobs to Durham. The New Jersey-based maker of generic pharmaceuticals plans to invest over $31.7 million in a new state-of-the-art national headquarters for specialty pharmaceutical R&D.

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 17 grant and loan requests totaling $4,905,420. The requests include commitments to create a total of 161 new jobs across the state.

German Supplier of Automotive Decorative Trim Selects North Carolina for New Operations

—The state's seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, remaining unchanged from February's revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.0 percent. North Carolina's March 2016 unemployment rate was 0.3 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 34,284 over the month to 4,591,429 and increased 128,774 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 131 over the month to 265,918, and decreased 7,017 over the year.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 32 of North Carolina's counties in February, increased in 30, and remained unchanged in 38. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.4 percent. Three of the state's metro areas experienced rate increases, two experienced decreases, and 10 remained unchanged. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.1 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 4.7 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.7 percent.

North Carolina Personal Income Growth 9th Fastest in U.S.

— The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent. North Carolina’s February 2016 unemployment rate was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 25,687 over the month to 4,557,152 and increased 103,145 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 164 over the month to 266,243, and decreased 3,998 over the year.

More than $207,000 in the latest round of NCWorks grants will improve the skills of North Carolina’s workers. The NCWorks Incumbent Worker Training Grant program helps business strengthen its workforce by reimbursing participating employers for training costs.  The grants are awarded twice a year. In the first quarter of this year, 30 businesses were awarded $207,598 to train 438 workers.

Goldsboro, N.C.--. Main Street Champions will be recognized for their commitment to downtown improvements and strong communities this morning during an awards breakfast in Goldsboro. Thirty-seven individuals will receive honors for their contributions in 2015. This year’s group of Main Street Champions brings the total number to 603 since Champions were first named in 1980 as part of N.C. Main Street’s 20th anniversary celebration.

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.5 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.0 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville and Raleigh each had the lowest rate at 4.8 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.8 percent.