Press Releases

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Plastek Industries, a leading maker of plastic consumer, cosmetic and pharmaceutical packaging, plans to create 250 jobs and invest $19 million in Richmond County over the next three years. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the One North Carolina Fund and the Job Development Investment Grant program.

North Carolina appliance retailers must register by the close of business April 13 to participate in the state’s Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program.  Registration is available through a link on the N.C. Energy Office’s Web site.  The program will offer North Carolina residents a 15 percent rebate when they buy certain Energy Star-rated appliances over a four-day period beginning on Earth Day in April.  The N.C. Energy Office is also encouraging retailers to offer additional sales and discounts during the program. 

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Clariant, an international specialty chemicals company, will expand in Mecklenburg County.  The company will consolidate customer service and business support operations from Rhode Island to its existing Monroe road facility in Charlotte, adding 50 jobs and investing $2.5 million during the next three years.  The project was made possible in part by a $55,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. 

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Hewitt Associates, one of the world’s largest providers of human resources outsourcing and consulting services, plans to add 463 jobs to its Charlotte workforce over the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a Job Development Investment Grant.

North Carolina appliance retailers can sign up to participate in the state’s Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program through a special Web site launched today.  The program will offer North Carolina residents a 15 percent rebate when they buy certain Energy Star-rated appliances over a four-day period beginning on Earth Day in April.

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Hewitt Associates, one of the world’s largest providers of human resources outsourcing and consulting services, plans to add 463 jobs to its Charlotte workforce over the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a Job Development Investment Grant.

North Carolina is a world leader in nanotechnology, the transformational science of custom-building ultra-precise materials, medicines and devices molecule by molecule to shape the clothes, treatments and machines of our future.  To explore emerging practical applications in this rapidly evolving field – and help turn revolutionary concepts into new jobs and businesses – the state will host the second annual Nanotechnology Commercialization Conference, March 31-April 1 at the Koury Convention Center.

Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco announced today that two North Carolina counties have been awarded Community Development Block Grants to provide down-payment assistance and financial literacy training for first-time homebuyers. Catawba County will receive $70,000 and Columbus County will receive $50,000 from the CDBG Individual Development Account program, which assists community organizations in funding financial literacy education and matching low-income participants’ contributions to savings accounts dedicated to the purchase of first homes.

Three distinguished North Carolinians were honored today at the N.C. Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism for their significant and continuing contributions to the growth and success of North Carolina's tourism industry.  The 2010 Winners Circle Awards were presented to Capt. David R. Scheu of Wilmington, Bill Hensley of Charlotte and Spencer Robbins of Banner Elk. 

Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco today announced that four North Carolina communities will receive a total of $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to connect low- and moderate-income homes to clean drinking water supplies.  The money will be used to install or replace 15,300 linear feet of public water lines.