Press Releases

Coinciding with Governor Roy Cooper’s “Equal Pay Day” proclamation and the National Women’s History Alliance 2024 theme of celebrating “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders is urging greater gender diversity on corporate boards to better represent North Carolina’s demographics. Companies with diverse boards not only are more reflective of the population but perform better and drive greater profitability for their shareholders.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January 2024. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

Twelve communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization during the annual North Carolina Main Street Awards Ceremony held in Goldsboro this evening. N.C. Department of Commerce Chief Deputy Secretary Jordan Whichard, Assistant Secretary of Rural Development Kenny Flowers, and Director of the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center Liz Parham will present awards in design, organization, promotion, and economic vitality.

Applications are again being accepted by the Department of Commerce for its professional development and education program for rural leaders in North Carolina.  New participants in the Rural Community Capacity (RC2) program will be able to select an eastern location for the campus-based educational program as East Carolina University joins Appalachian State University in the RC2 program, an initiative of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division.

The state’s seasonally adjusted January 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 6,721 over the month to 5,068,208 and increased 64,125 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,640 over the month to 185,760 and increased 2,495 over the year.

Steel Warehouse Company, a leading steel service center, will create 58 new jobs in Catawba County, Governor Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $30.5 million to locate a state-of-the-art facility in the City of Hickory.“North Carolina’s reputation as the best state for business continues to attract industry leaders to operate in our state,” said Governor Cooper. “Our central East Coast location, affordability, and world-class workforce will greatly benefit Steel Warehouse in this next phase of growth in Hickory.”

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Toyota will serve as the title sponsor for the upcoming Southeast U.S./Japan Annual Joint Meeting (“SEUS/Japan”), an important economic development conference aimed at increasing Japanese investment in North Carolina and the Southeastern United States.  The conference will convene in Charlotte, October 27-29, 2024.

The 2024 North Carolina Main Street Conference is bringing community and economic development leaders together March 12-14 in downtown Goldsboro. The three-day annual conference, which is organized by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and its N.C.

Drylock Technologies, a leading manufacturer of hygiene products, will create 113 new jobs in Rockingham County, Governor Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $26.9 million to establish its first U.S. baby care production facility in the City of Reidsville.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders today announced a new grant program to support the revitalization of downtown districts in the state’s rural communities.  The Department’s Rural Economic Development Division is now accepting applications from local governments for the Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant program.Grants will be awarded by the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority beginning with its April 2024 board meeting and the initial application period for these grants closes at 5:00pm on Monday, April 1, 2024.