Press Releases

Today, six North Carolina manufacturers received 2019 Governor’s Export Awards in a ceremony highlighting their growing sales success in international markets. These manufacturers make everything from cosmetics to heavy-duty plastic waste containers.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 45 of North Carolina’s counties in December, increased in 25, and remained unchanged in 30. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.5 percent.

Community and economic development leaders from across the state will gather for the 2020 North Carolina Main Street Conference March 10-12.

North Carolina wrapped up 2019 with production companies spending more than $167 million in direct in-state expenses, the most money spent on television and film projects in the last five years.

Two workforce incentive programs managed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce reached higher benchmarks last year, indicating more people found jobs thanks to the financial support these programs provide to North Carolina employers.

Pactiv Corporation, a food packaging manufacturer and distributor, will create 25 new jobs in Guilford County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest a minimum of $8 million to expand their current facility in Greensboro.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from November’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.5 percent.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), a global healthcare and biopharmaceutical company, will invest over $470 million and create more than 460 new jobs in Durham, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

The North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center selected Graham, Manteo, Mebane, Murphy, Pilot Mountain and Zebulon for the Center’s Downtown Associate Community Program, Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland announced today. 

North Carolina jumps forward two places nationally in an overall measure of innovation capacity, according to the 2019 Tracking Innovation report released today by the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation.