Press Releases

New data from a research study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association provides visitor spending totals in all 100 North Carolina counties for 2020.  Information from the study, first released in May of this year, previously showed statewide visitor spending dropped 32 percent last year, due primarily to the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 coronavirus.  The new data shows revenue losses were felt most keenly in urban areas, with some smaller destinations seeing gains.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer, Cambrex Corporation, will create 78 new jobs in Guilford County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $30 million to expand its manufacturing center of excellence in High Point. “We are excited to celebrate Cambrex’s expansion on National Manufacturing Day,” said Governor Cooper. “When thriving pharmaceutical companies continue manufacturing life-changing medicines in North Carolina, it validates our reputation as a place where life science companies can flourish and do groundbreaking work.”

Governor Roy Cooper and Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders issued statements this morning on INEOS Automotive’s decision to locate its new North American headquarters in Wake County. "Companies around the world know that North Carolina is a place where they can grow and thrive," said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. "We are excited that INEOS Automotive will locate its North American Headquarters here in Wake County and that we will be the national home of its flagship vehicle, the Grenadier.”

Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK), a manufacturer of flooring products and accessories, will create 87 new jobs in Davidson County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $87 million to grow the laminate manufacturing facility in Thomasville.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in August, increased in two, and remained unchanged in five. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.7 percent while Chatham, Avery, Ashe, and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 6.4 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.7 percent.

Governor Roy Cooper has declared it North Carolina Manufacturing Week. With the largest workforce in the Southeast, manufacturing remains essential to the success of every sector of our state’s economy as manufacturing operations continue amid the global pandemic.

Vantaca, a software-as-a-service provider, will add 104 new jobs in New Hanover County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $4.9 million to expand its operations in Wilmington. “North Carolina is one of the fastest growing technology hubs in the nation,” said Governor Cooper. “When combined with our reputation for financial technology, a talented workforce and premier quality of life, it’s great news that Vantaca is expanding right here in its hometown of Wilmington.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that Corning Incorporated will invest $150 million to expand operations in Catawba County, creating 200 jobs in Hickory. “As we celebrate Manufacturing Week in our state, it’s exciting to see a global manufacturer like Corning expand yet again in a great rural county like Catawba,” said Governor Cooper. “Corning understands North Carolina’s strengths as a business location, thanks to their firsthand experience with our skilled workforce, customized training programs and great quality of life.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from July’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 5.2 percent. North Carolina’s August 2021 unemployment rate decreased 2.5 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 17,609 over the month to 4,794,967 and increased 215,224 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 5,848 over the month to 216,607 and decreased 114,951 over the year.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed Sept. 12-19, 2021, as Small Business Week to highlight the importance of small, independent businesses and entrepreneurship to North Carolina’s economy. “As the backbone of our economy, small business owners and entrepreneurs are crucial pillars to North Carolina’s success,” said Governor Cooper. “With much dedication even before the pandemic, the small business community has been the center of our economic prosperity from the mountains to the coast.”