Press Releases

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.

The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2023 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 7,942 over the month to 4,980,817 and increased 12,985 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 5,599 over the month to 188,194 and increased 10,988 over the year.

A third opportunity opened today for local governments in North Carolina’s rural areas to once again apply for a Rural Transformation Grant.  The popular grant program from the Department of Commerce helps communities overcome challenges that limit their economic competitiveness. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division administers the $48 million grant fund.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in January 2023 and decreased in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.1 percent while Greene, Buncombe, and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.4 percent while Asheville and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

North Carolina Main Street Champions will be recognized for their contributions to their Main Street programs and downtown districts today in Statesville. Since the recognition started in 2000, including this year’s 38 honorees, 375 Champions have been honored by the N.C. Department of Commerce. “North Carolina’s most important asset is the people that live and work in their communities, and our Main Street program teaches our communities how to leverage this invaluable resource into positive economic change,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. 

Nine communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization during the North Carolina Main Street Awards Ceremony in Statesville this evening. Assistant Secretary of Rural Development Kenny Flowers, and Director of the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center Liz Parham, will present the awards in categories that include economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization. 

Tex-Tech Industries, a leading manufacturer of specialty textiles, will create 49 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $24.8 million to build a new manufacturing center in Winston-Salem. “North Carolina’s leadership in textile manufacturing helps companies like Tex-Tech stay on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Governor Cooper. “This expansion builds upon the company’s success in Forsyth County for 60 years, affirming that North Carolina is a great place to do business.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted January 2023 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, unchanged from December’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.4 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 10,334 over the month to 4,972,559 and increased 23,120 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,198 over the month to 193,845 and increased 7,121 over the year.