Press Releases

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.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 21 grant requests to local governments totaling $5,916,198, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 1,200 jobs, 661 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $546 million in private investment.    

Filmmakers producing projects in North Carolina are on track to invest a record amount of money in the state in 2021, Governor Roy Cooper announced earlier today during a press conference at EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington. The spending amount of $409 million is the largest tally seen in the state since the creation of the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant in 2014. Combined, these productions will create more than 25,000 job opportunities for North Carolina’s highly skilled film professionals and background talent.

Harger, Inc., a leading supplier of electrical protection equipment, will expand its current operations in Robeson County, creating 20 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $3.2 million to increase the capacity of its facility in Fairmont. “Manufacturers like Harger continue to expand and find value in rural North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state offers an outstanding, diverse workforce, a great quality of life and infrastructure that enables industrial companies to thrive here.”

The Crump Group Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of all natural, limited ingredient pet treats will locate its first production facility in the United States in Nash County, creating 160 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $13.2 million to outfit a new manufacturing and distribution center in Nashville.

North Carolina will add a new type of targeted workforce training grant to the state’s economic development toolkit, Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today.  Up to $1 million will be available to fund grants during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Nature’s Value Inc., a global contract vitamin and dietary supplements manufacturer, that will create more than 183 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will be expanding its manufacturing operations to Winston-Salem with an investment exceeding $19 million.

Steffes, LLC, a steel fabrication company, will create 130 new jobs in Cleveland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $20.9 million to locate a new manufacturing facility in the City of Shelby. “We are excited to welcome Steffes to North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “We know that when companies are ready to expand, they choose our state because of our ready workforce, exceptional quality of life and robust infrastructure.” 

Amgen Inc., the pioneering biotechnology company, will build a new biologics manufacturing operation in Holly Springs, creating 355 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company intends to invest $550 million in Wake County. "World-class companies like Amgen are very selective when they evaluate business locations and they only choose places that provide the best support for their operations,” said Governor Cooper. “Today’s decision proves once again that North Carolina remains a premier location for the most innovative biotech companies in the industry.”