Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 91 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in seven, and remained unchanged in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.3 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.4 percent.

Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (ASI), a world class provider of engineering, manufacturing and MRO services for military platforms, will create 30 new jobs in Craven County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.6 million to expand its manufacturing footprint in New Bern. “The decision by Aeronautical Systems to expand in Craven County is good news for eastern North Carolina’s economy,” said Governor Cooper. “It speaks to our strong workforce, location, resilience and quality of life when businesses continue to invest in our state.”

Credit Karma, a personal finance technology company, will add 600 new jobs in Mecklenburg County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $13 million to expand its Charlotte presence with a new high-tech engineering hub. “We are thrilled to have Credit Karma establish their East Coast headquarters in our state,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina is the ideal place for technology companies to do business, thanks to our tech-savvy talent, resilient economy and great quality of life.”

Ardagh Group (NYSE:ARD), a global supplier of sustainable, infinitely recyclable, metal and glass packaging, will add 94 new jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest at least $195 million to expand its current beverage can metal manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem. Further, the new jobs will be at a prevailing wage of at least 130% of the local average.

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 6.1 percent. North Carolina’s April 2021 unemployment rate decreased 8.5 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,497 over the month to 4,761,974 and increased 707,042 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 8,109 over the month to 250,865 and decreased 383,958 over the year.

White River Marine Group, LLC, a leading manufacturer of recreational boats, will open a manufacturing facility in Craven County, with a target of 500 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will make a significant investment in New Bern, creating its first coastal manufacturing site and adding Hatteras to its portfolio of well-known brands. “Boat and marine manufacturing requires specialized and experienced workers, and White River Marine knows our state can deliver the people they need to successfully expand their business in New Bern,” said Governor Cooper.

CARsgen Therapeutics Corporation, an innovative biotechnology company pursuing medicines to treat cancer will create approximately 200 jobs and invest $157 million in Durham, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company’s selection of the Research Triangle area will establish its first biomanufacturing site in North America. CARsgen Therapeutics currently has its U.S. clinical development operations in Houston, Texas.

eGourmet Solutions Inc., an online temperature-controlled logistics and supply chain company, will add 40 new jobs in Duplin County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $500,000 to expand and upgrade the current distribution center in Wallace. “We are delighted with the decision by eGourmet Solutions to expand in our state,” said Governor Cooper. “Companies here already know about our dedicated workforce, quality of life and the great place this is to do business.”

Fidelity Investments will be creating a new Regional Center for its Personal Investing business, adding 500 new jobs at its existing campus in Research Triangle Park over the next few quarters, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company has stated that it will begin hiring 500 additional staff immediately and that it intends to hire candidates with strong customer service skills, including those working in industries like hospitality and retail that may have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

Carolina Coops, a custom chicken coop manufacturer, will create 147 new jobs over three years in Granville County, and up to 500 by 2026, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $2.1 million to locate a production facility in Butner. “It's good to welcome Carolina Coops back to North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Our state’s talented workforce and transportation infrastructure continue to attract manufacturers from all industries.”