Press Releases

The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, is seeking applications for a competitive reentry grant to support local efforts in addressing workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.As part of Governor Cooper’s NC Job Ready initiative, the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund plans to award a grant of up to $125,000, supporting a local partnership working to make a lasting impact on reentry efforts. This round of grant-making will support a two-year implementation grant.

Crystal Window & Door Systems, a leading manufacturer of replacement and new construction windows will locate a manufacturing center in Johnston County, creating 501 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $83.6 million in Selma."More great manufacturing jobs are coming to Johnston County and North Carolina, the number one state for business in the country,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state’s skilled workforce, paired with North Carolina’s world-class transportation network and favorable business climate, make for a winning combination every time.”

Green New Energy Materials, Inc., an experienced manufacturer of a key component used in lithium-ion batteries will establish its first manufacturing operation in the United States in Lincoln County, creating 545 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $140 million in the community of Denver, North Carolina.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 44 of North Carolina’s counties in March 2024, increased in 22, and remained unchanged in 34. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. Six of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, four decreased, and five remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed April 28 – May 4, 2024 as Small Business Week to celebrate the impact of entrepreneurs and small businesses on North Carolina’s economy.

Boviet Solar, a global renewable energy company, will create 908 new jobs in Pitt County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $294 million to locate its first North American solar panel manufacturing facility in the City of Greenville.“It’s great to welcome Boviet Solar to North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision has proven yet again that North Carolina is a hub for clean energy, offering advanced manufacturers a skilled workforce, an excellent quality of life, and affordable communities to support its work in sustainability.”

Innovative Construction Group, LLC, an off-site construction services company serving developers, general contractors, and professional builders, expects to establish a new manufacturing facility in Chatham County and the Town of Siler City. The company plans to make a capital investment of approximately $39.8 million which will create, they believe, as many as 157 jobs over the next five years.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 31 grant requests to local governments totaling $10,982,835, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 565 jobs, 135 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $211 million in public and private investment.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,280 over the month to 5,074,635 and increased 39,323 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,098 over the month to 185,549 and increased 11,489 over the year.

Radél, Inc., a global manufacturer of electro-mechanical components, will locate a new state-of-the-art production facility in Forsyth County, creating 32 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $9 million in Winston-Salem to establish a U.S. East Coast manufacturing operation.