Press Releases

Vecoplan, LLC, a manufacturer of industrial shredding equipment, will create 33 jobs in Guilford County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $6.75 million to locate a new manufacturing facility in High Point.“Global manufacturers want to expand in places with access to a skilled workforce, research infrastructure, and a great quality of life,” said Governor Cooper. “Vecoplan has experienced these benefits with their North Carolina headquarters, and we believe they will find more success in the years to come.”

Marshall USA LLC, a subsidiary of the United Kingdom’s largest privately owned aerospace and defense business, will establish a major maintenance and engineering facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, creating 240 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company reports it will invest $50 million in the new Guilford County facility.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2023 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 15,686 over the month to 4,996,448 and increased 15,354 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,983 over the month to 183,118 and increased 10,914 over the year.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved nine grant requests to local governments totaling $2,221,694, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 191 jobs, 22 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $49.5 million in private investment.    

TAT Piedmont Aviation, an aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) company, will expand its operations near the Piedmont Triad International Airport and create 85 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $12.8 million to increase the service capacity of its Guilford County facilities, marking the latest expansion of the state’s vibrant aerospace industry in the Greensboro area.

EPOC Enviro, a PFAS remediation company, will create 226 new jobs in Iredell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $4.1 million to locate its first North American production site to Statesville. “It’s great to welcome EPOC Enviro to Iredell County in the nationally recognized top state for business with the best workers in the world,” said Governor Cooper. “Our fight against polluted water and climate change will be bolstered by this company’s innovative products and its commitment to sustainability.”

Pilkington North America, Inc. (PNA), a major glass manufacturing company, will invest $86.8 million in its operations in Scotland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project includes the rebuild of one of its two float glass lines, expansion of existing coating capabilities, and other building and equipment improvements at the company’s float glass facility that will create 20 jobs in Laurinburg.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 74 of North Carolina’s counties in February 2023, increased in five, and remained unchanged in 21. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.6 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. Twelve of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and three remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

Severn Peanut Company, a peanut sheller, will create 44 jobs in Bladen County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $17 million to upgrade and renovate its facility in Elizabethtown for peanut butter production. “Severn Peanut Company in Elizabethtown continues to create good jobs which spotlights our world class farmers and diverse workforce which help make North Carolina the best state to do business,” said Governor Cooper. “We know agriculture is the heart and soul of our economy.”

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders are encouraging North Carolina employers to hire veterans and to apply for recognition with a HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an official program of the U.S. Department of Labor that recognizes an employer's commitment to veteran employment. The application period runs through April 30, 2023.