Press Releases

Seven North Carolina companies were recognized today for growing their sales success in international markets at the 2022 Governor’s Export Awards. The companies service a range of sectors, from tactical components to bicycle wheel manufacturing and textile machinery. “Last year, North Carolina was able to export more than $40 billion in goods and services to more than 200 countries, showing the global economy has a demand for North Carolina products,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our state meets that demand with strong companies like the ones we are recognizing today.”

Kempower Inc., a manufacturer of charging stations for electric vehicles, will create more than 300 jobs as it locates a new manufacturing facility in Durham County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company is planning to invest $41 million into the project, demonstrating again the growing momentum of North Carolina’s clean energy economy.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce issued more than 91,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) certifications to employers in 2022, the department’s Workforce Solutions division announced today. That represented a more than 13 percent increase in the number of certifications compared to the 2021 calendar year, indicating that more people found jobs thanks to the financial support the program provides to employers.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper released the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Analysis (“Pathways Analysis”) to ensure North Carolina continues to progress towards its climate goals while expanding our clean energy economy that benefits all.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 96 of North Carolina’s counties in December and increased in four. Tyrell County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.1 percent while Buncombe, Greene, Orange, and Watauga Counties each had the lowest at 2.5 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.5 percent. The December not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division has selected 34 local governments from across the state to participate in the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) program.

The 2023 North Carolina Main Street Conference is bringing community and economic development leaders back together in-person March 14-16 in downtown Statesville. The three-day annual conference, which is organized by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and its N.C.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December 2022 unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 2,447 over the month to 4,923,281 and increased 138,612 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 486 over the month to 200,940 and decreased 6,123 over the year.

Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders issued a statement today, following Fidelity Investments’ announcement of its Invest in My Education (ME)℠ initiative:

Felicia Culbreath-Setzer, NCWorks Regional Operations Director for the Northwest Prosperity Zone at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, was honored today as the recipient of the 2023 John R. Larkins Award.