Press Releases

After pressing pause in 2020, film production has resumed in North Carolina with six recent grant recipients. With production levels at a six-year high so far this year, the latest productions to be announced as North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant recipients will have a combined spend of more than $134.8 million in the state while creating in excess of 5,700 job opportunities, including 1,681 well-paying crew positions for the state’s highly skilled film professionals. 

Governor Roy Cooper announced that the North Carolina Department of Commerce will pilot the Community Economic Recovery and Resiliency Initiative (CERRI) to support communities with their recovery and response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Administered by the Department’s Rural Economic Development Division, Rural Planning Program, CERRI will provide a structured planning process for communities to develop strategies for local economic recovery and offer technical services to assist with the implementation of each community’s local strategies.

Robinhood Markets, Inc., a California-based financial services firm, will create nearly 400 jobs in Mecklenburg County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $11.7 million to establish an office in Charlotte focused on customer experience roles. "With the second-largest financial center in the nation, North Carolina is one of the fastest growing tech hubs where companies like this know they can flourish," said Governor Cooper.

The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.7 percent, decreasing 0.2 points from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 points to 6.2 percent. North Carolina’s February 2021 unemployment rate increased 2.1 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,804 over the month to 4,746,591 and decreased 175,050 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 10,931 over the month to 286,788 and increased 103,294 over the year.

Raybow USA Inc, the North American unit of a global provider of outsourced pharmaceutical process development and manufacturing services, will expand its operations in Transylvania County. The company plans to add 74 jobs over the coming five years and will invest $15,800,000 at its existing site in Brevard. “The pandemic has underscored North Carolina’s global reputation as the smart choice for life sciences companies,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This expansion by Raybow USA demonstrates how 21st century biotechnology operations can flourish in every region of our state.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 62 of North Carolina’s counties in January, increased in 25, and remained unchanged in 13. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.4 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 4.3 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one increased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 8.2 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 4.9 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 6.0 percent.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A. Inc., a world leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), will create 725 jobs and expressed its intent to invest $2 billion in Wake County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will build North America’s largest end-to-end biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, confirming the central role of North Carolina’s Research Triangle region for the next generation of biotech medicines.

The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, declining 0.2 points from December’s revised rate. The national rate declined 0.4 points to 6.3 percent. North Carolina’s January 2021 unemployment rate increased 2.4 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 9,882 over the month to 4,741,046 and decreased 187,402 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 11,284 over the month to 297,599 and increased 117,994 over the year.

North Carolina Main Street Champions will be recognized for their commitment to downtown revitalization and strong communities during a virtual recognition ceremony today at 9:30 a.m.

Nine communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization during the North Carolina Main Street Awards Ceremony this evening. Liz Parham, Director of the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center will present the awards virtually in categories that include economic vitality, design, promotion and organization.