Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in two. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.0 percent while Orange and Buncombe Counties each had the lowest at 3.3 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.5 percent while Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest at 3.4 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.

Today, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper joined U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo to announce that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $23.7 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to create STEPs4GROWTH, a clean energy workforce training program.

Third-party logistics provider, Port City Logistics, will create 75 new jobs in New Hanover County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $16 million to construct a high velocity transload facility in Wilmington. “We are delighted to welcome Port City Logistics to New Hanover County, North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “When companies are ready to connect with global markets, they are drawn to our state because of our workforce, excellent transportation network, and attractive quality of life.”

NVR, Inc. [NYSE: NVR], a leading homebuilder, will create 261 new jobs in an expansion involving Cleveland and Cumberland counties, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $33.9 million to expand its capacity in Kings Mountain and build a new facility in Fayetteville.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the approval of North Carolina’s application for up to $201.9 million in funding under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

Forza X1, Inc., the builder of an innovative line of electric-powered boats, will invest $10.5 million to establish a new manufacturing plant in McDowell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will create 170 jobs in Marion. “The strong momentum for our emphasis on the clean energy economy is putting money in the pockets of every day North Carolinians in both urban and rural areas like McDowell County.” said Governor Cooper. “While the number of electric cars is rapidly expanding, so will electric boats made by Forza X1 right here in our state.”

Pisgah Laboratories, Inc., a pharmaceutical manufacturer, will add 57 new jobs in Transylvania County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $55 million to expand its manufacturing product line."North Carolina’s life science industry is expanding all over our state including rural areas like Transylvania County with the growth of Pisgah Laboratories," said Governor Cooper. "When North Carolina companies expand and reinvest in our state, it validates our ranking as the best state to do business.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2022 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, remaining unchanged from May’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 12,675 over the month to 4,929,133 and increased 215,137 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,767 over the month to 172,658 and decreased 74,565 over the year.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Minister for International Trade Penny Mordaunt have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Trade Relations to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy.

Today, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the World Golf Hall of Fame announced that the World Golf Hall of Fame will be moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper joined the announcement today, where the two organizations detailed the new visitor experience at the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst campus set to open in 2024. The Hall of Fame will relocate its physical collection from Florida to North Carolina.