Press Releases

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.”

Visitor spending in North Carolina dropped 32 percent in 2020, according to new research conducted by the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics, a global travel research company.  The spending report was commissioned by Visit North Carolina, the state’s tourism promotion unit, and is published on an annual basis.

JELD-WEN Holding, Inc., [NYSE: JELD] the global manufacturer of windows and doors, will create 235 jobs in Iredell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $7.9 million in Statesville to establish a new production facility for VPI Quality Windows. “North Carolina manufacturers that continue to invest in our state are confident in our ability to support their companies as they grow,” said Gov. Cooper. “This announcement affirms the strength of our workforce, infrastructure and quality of life.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in March. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 6.4 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.8 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.6 percent.

Apple has selected North Carolina’s Research Triangle region as the location for its newest research and development campus and will create 3,000 jobs in Wake County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Apple plans to invest more than $1 billion in the state by 2032. Earlier today, Governor Cooper, Senator President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, Senator Dan Blue, Speaker Tim Moore and Representative Robert Reives issued this statement: