Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 83 of North Carolina’s counties in October, increased in eight, and remained unchanged in nine. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.8 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one increased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.8 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce released the county tier designations for 2022 today.  The designations, which are mandated by state law, play a role in several programs that assist in economic development.

MasterBrand Cabinets, one of the largest cabinet manufacturers in North America, will expand its operations in Lenoir County to create more than 450 jobs over five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $13.5 million to expand production capacity at its manufacturing center in Kinston.

The state’s seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.6 percent. North Carolina’s October 2021 unemployment rate decreased 2.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 11,009 over the month to 4,825,767 and increased 138,415 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 6,223 over the month to 208,126 and decreased 132,870 over the year.

Hosokawa Custom Processing Services, a contract chemical processor, will create 16 new jobs in Wayne County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $6.5 million to relocate a processing center to Goldsboro. “We are pleased to welcome Hosokawa to our state,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision to relocate to Eastern North Carolina underscores the strength of our business location, premier quality of life and most importantly, our talented workforce in every region of the state.”

Precision Graphics, Inc., a leading global contract electronics manufacturing solutions provider, will open a new production facility in Greene County, creating 70 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.1 million in Snow Hill to open a new electronics manufacturing and fulfillment facility.

Meel Corp, a frozen food company, will create 24 new jobs in Granville County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.7 million to relocate a production facility in Oxford. “We are glad to welcome Meel Corp to North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state has the best business climate, the hardest working employees, the agricultural legacy, the central east coast location and the great quality of life that will make this company successful here."

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in September. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.8 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.7 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The September not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.8 percent.

North Carolina will celebrate “Employ A Veteran Week,” Nov. 8-12, with a variety of events to help connect veterans to jobs and other services, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. “In North Carolina, we appreciate our military, our veterans, and their families, who have all served and sacrificed for our country,” Governor Cooper said. “One great way that our employers can honor veterans is by hiring them, and as an added benefit they will also be getting some of the best employees they have ever had.”

Jaguar Gene Therapy, LLC, an Illinois-based gene therapy company, will create 200 new jobs and invest more than $125 million to locate a GMP facility in Durham County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. “North Carolina’s diverse life sciences presence continues to attract innovative biopharmaceutical companies," said Governor Cooper. “Jaguar’s expansion into biomanufacturing in Research Triangle Park, together with its process sciences laboratory in Cary, reinforces North Carolina’s reputation as a premier location for these companies."