Press Releases

The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 7.3 percent, increasing 0.8 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point to 7.9 percent. North Carolina’s September 2020 unemployment rate increased 3.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 38,683 over the month to 4,558,033 and decreased 352,111 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 44,278 over the month to 356,952 and increased 166,666 over the year.

RMC Advanced Technologies, Inc. (“RMC”), a manufacturer of molded plastic and composite parts, will develop a new manufacturing operation in Newton, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest to expand a facility previously used for plastics manufacturing. 

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 16 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,511,075, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 530 jobs, 164 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $91.3 million in private investment.  

Hamilton Drywall Products, a manufacturer of drywall finishing products, will create 34 new jobs in Union County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5 million to locate a regional headquarters and production facility in Monroe. “Even during a pandemic, another manufacturer is choosing to expand their operations in North Carolina. Companies like Hamilton Drywall are confident in our workforce and our ability to manage the crisis, making our state a great partner for businesses that are growing,” said Governor Cooper.

UPS, the multinational package delivery and supply-chain management company, will undertake a significant expansion to its North Carolina presence with the addition of 592 jobs in Guilford and Alamance counties, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest a total of $316.4 million at two sites over the coming four years.

Benestar Brands, an international snack food manufacturer, will create 129 jobs in Cleveland County, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $24 million to establish a new production facility in Kings Mountain. “Even during a pandemic, companies like Benestar Brands can expand operations because of our strong workforce, quality transportation network and management of this crisis,” said Governor Cooper.

Applications are now being accepted for a new round of grantmaking from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a key source of capital for North Carolina’s technology companies.  The program, administered by the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, & Innovation (Board) and the North Carolina Department of Commerce will focus this year on helping to promote job creation and economic recovery at small technology companies meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Triple Aught Design, a US-based adventure gear company, will create 70 new jobs in McDowell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The manufacturer will invest $1 million to build and operate a cutting-edge apparel and gear production facility and experience center in Old Fort.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in August. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.6 percent, while Camden and Watauga Counties each had the lowest at 4.6 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 9.1 percent and New Bern had the lowest at 5.9 percent. The August not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 6.8 percent.

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, the leading pet care company in the United States, plans to establish significant new manufacturing and distribution operations in Rockingham County that will become operational in 2022 and create up to 300 new jobs by 2024, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $450 million in a 1,300+ acre site near Eden that formerly housed a brewery, where it will manufacture and distribute Purina pet food.