Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 83 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in four, and remained unchanged in 13. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.4 percent while Orange and Chatham Counties each had the lowest at 2.6 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 5.8 percent while Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

D’Artagnan, Inc., a specialty food company distributor, will create 23 new jobs in Granville County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $4 million to locate a warehouse and distribution facility in the City of Oxford. “We are glad to welcome D’Artagnan to Granville County and North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Our East Coast location and capable workforce will greatly benefit the company’s operations and growth here in the Southeast.”

Nineteen rural communities from across the state have been selected to participate in a unique new program to increase their capacity to plan, implement, and manage economic development programs and opportunities.  The Rural Community Capacity (RC2) program, a pilot initiative from the Commerce Department involving Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business, will welcome its first cohort of participants in Boone today (Tuesday, May 24).

Hans Kissle Company, a fresh foods manufacturer, will create 219 new jobs in Gaston County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $42.2 million to build a food manufacturing facility in Apple Creek Corporate Center. “North Carolina’s agricultural and manufacturing legacy continues to attract growing companies to counties like Gaston,” said Governor Cooper. “Our skilled workforce and great quality of life are key ingredients for our thriving manufacturing industry.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2022 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent. North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 30,263 over the month to 4,883,507 and increased 203,995 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,917 over the month to 173,348 and decreased 79,156 over the year.

The North Carolina Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC TOWERS), held its second meeting in Wilmington May 5th. NC TOWERS brings together representatives from government, industry, wildlife and environmental advocates, community leaders and the military to help North Carolina take advantage of the economic and environmental opportunities that offshore wind and the associated supply chain present.

Fifteen local governments across the state have been awarded $45.8 million to help seventeen motorsports venues in their communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The grants from the state’s Motorsports Relief Fund, administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, will enhance local tourism, travel, and hospitality industries that benefit from the many motorsports events held in North Carolina.

COSMOIND Co., Ltd., a polyethylene infrastructure piping manufacturer, will create 168 new jobs in Nash County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $12.8 million to build its first North American manufacturing campus for industrial, natural gas, and drinking water pipes in Middlesex.

Max Solutions, Inc., a specialty packaging manufacturer, will create 150 new jobs in Cabarrus County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $27 million to build a manufacturing facility in the City of Concord. “North Carolina’s reputation for manufacturing continues to attract entrepreneurs across all industries and Cabarrus County is the perfect spot,” said Governor Cooper. “With our talent, transportation, and East Coast location, manufacturers in all phases of growth can count on North Carolina to support their success.”

Champion Home Builders, a provider of manufactured and modular homes, will expand its North Carolina operations to create 182 jobs in Scotland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $18.7 million into the acquisition and planned future development of a manufacturing campus in Laurinburg.