Press Releases

Machelle Baker Sanders affirmed her oath of office as North Carolina’s Secretary of Commerce on Monday during a ceremony at the First Flight Venture Center.  Secretary Sanders’ choice of the Research Triangle Park venue honors the ongoing importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclu

Nearly $27 million in grants has been awarded to 34 municipal and county governments in North Carolina in response to the adverse economic and public health impacts of COVID-19, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 12 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,566,930, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 439 jobs, 64 of which were previously announced.

Crown Equipment Corporation, a global lift truck manufacturer, expects to create more than 130 new jobs in Lenoir County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company is planning to invest up to $13 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Kinston.

Cardinal Foods LLC, a Burgaw agribusiness company that provides products and services across the eastern U.S., will create 48 new jobs as it launches a $15.5 million expansion at its Pender County operations, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Machelle Sanders, current Secretary of the NC Department of Administration, will now serve as Secretary of the Department of Commerce. Sanders will replace Tony Copeland who stepped down at the end of January.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced 13 winners of the 2020 Governor’s Export Awards, ranging from a small wooden-boat builder in southeast North Carolina to one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq; GILD), a leading biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines, has selected North Carolina’s Research Triangle region as the location for a major business services and information technology hub, creating 275 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 55 of North Carolina’s counties in December, decreased in 28, and remained unchanged in 17. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.2 percent while Watauga County had the lowest at 4.3 percent.

Twenty-nine innovative companies across North Carolina have received grants to foster job creation and promote research and technological development in response to the pandemic, the Department of Commerce announced today.