Press Releases

Today, CNBC named North Carolina as second best state to do business and in the top three for the fifth year in a row thanks to our well-trained and diverse workforce, booming economy, and strong business environment. In 2019, North Carolina ranked third; in 2021, the state ranked second; and in both 2022 and 2023 North Carolina ranked first.

Durable skills included in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Portrait of a Graduate are essential to every occupation in the state, and jobseekers need these skills to meet employer demand, according to a

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in May 2024, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.0 percent while Buncombe and Currituck Counties each had the lowest at 2.8 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.7 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

Excel Interior Door, LLC, a manufacturer of residential doors, will create at least 37 new jobs as it relocates its headquarters to Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $10.5 million to establish its administrative offices and a new manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem.“North Carolina continues to attract manufacturers across all industries,” said Governor Cooper. “With our rich manufacturing legacy, access to raw materials, and a world-class workforce, we’re confident that Forsyth County will be a great home for Excel Interior Door.”

A partnership in the Pitt County area is the winner of a competitive grant totaling $125,000 to support an innovative effort addressing reentry workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Nucor Rebar Fabrication, a leading fabricator of concrete reinforcing steel, will create 25 new jobs and invest more than $20 million to establish a new rebar fabrication facility in Davidson County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.“It’s great when a home grown company chooses to expand in North Carolina, especially when it’s the largest steelmaker in America,” said Governor Cooper. “Nucor’s decision illustrates its confidence in our state’s workforce, transportation infrastructure, and supportive business environment that makes North Carolina the best state to do business.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2024 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,965 over the month to 5,079,871 and increased 24,423 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 803 over the month to 187,503 and increased 14,437 over the year.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street and Rural Planning Center (the Center) is offering training to downtown small business owners and managers who have businesses in any of the 72 designated N.C. Main Street communities. The Center will host regional workshops, entitled “Making Your Community & Business a Destination.” One workshop will be held in each of the eight prosperity zones in the state. The first two workshops will be held in the Western region in Hendersonville on June 24, and the Northwestern region in Morganton on June 25.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 20 grant requests to local governments totaling $8,680,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 802 jobs, 408 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $474 million in public and private investment.

James M. Pleasants Company Inc. (JMP), a major distributor and sales representative for HVAC, plumbing, and other industrial equipment, will consolidate its Greensboro operations into a new facility, creating 40 jobs over five years, according to the company. JMP will invest $30 million in Guilford County.