Press Releases

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, will create 290 new jobs in Pitt County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $154 million to expand its pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in Greenville.

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.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in July and remained unchanged in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.1 percent while Avery County had the lowest at 3.5 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.7 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.9 percent. The July not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.6 percent.

Global manufacturer of household appliance components, Grupporeco, will create 110 new jobs in Lenoir County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $28 million to build its first manufacturing facility for dishwasher components in North America.

Today, the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center reports that since the inception of North Carolina’s Main Street program in 1980, designated Main Street communities have leveraged more than $4.08 billion in public and private investment in their downtown districts. More than 7,000 buildings have been rehabilitated, and there has been a net gain of more than 7,000 businesses and more than 30,000 jobs.

The state’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from June’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point to 5.4 percent. North Carolina’s July 2021 unemployment rate decreased 4.4 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 8,361 over the month to 4,777,400 and increased 278,125 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 9,579 over the month to 222,315 and decreased 210,978 over the year.