Press Releases

North Carolina's July County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 39 of North Carolina’s counties in July 2023, increased in 27, and remained unchanged in 34. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.7 percent while Buncombe and Swain Counties each had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Secretary Sanders Shares Message on Women’s Equality Day

Today, North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders released the following video message in honor of Women’s Equality Day, which is Saturday, August 26:

Governor Cooper Announces Home Builder Will Create 263 Jobs with New Facility in Stanly County

Clayton Supply, part of Clayton Home Building Group, will create 263 jobs as it locates a new facility in Stanly County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company’s project will locate in New London.

North Carolina Brought in Record Visitor Spending in 2022

North Carolina set a record for visitor spending in 2022, according to county-level data released today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

North Carolina’s July Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted July 2023 unemployment rate was 3.3 percent, unchanged from June’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

Governor Cooper Announces Five Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 133 New Jobs and more than $68 Million in Private Investment

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved five grant requests to local governments totaling $1,384,730, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 133 jobs.

John Deere Electric Powertrain to Invest $69 Million for its North American Headquarters and New Battery Production Operations in Kernersville

Deere & Company [NYSE: DE] and Kreisel Electric GMBH, an Austrian company, which John Deere acquired majority ownership of in 2022, will create 50 jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

North Carolina's June County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 86 of North Carolina’s counties in June 2023, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in nine. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.4 percent while Swain County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Commerce’s First in Talent Town Hall Highlights Progress in Year Two of State’s Strategic Plan

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and several of its state partners provided updates on the state’s economic development strategic plan during a virtual First in Talent Town Hall today.

Governor Cooper Announces CommScope to Add 250 New Jobs in $60 Million Investment for Fiber-Optic Cable Manufacturing Operations in Catawba County

CommScope [NASDAQ: COMM], a global telecommunications leader, plans to add 250 new jobs with a $60.3 million investment to expand its fiber-optic cable manufacturing operations in Catawba County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.