Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 92 of North Carolina’s counties in November, increased in four, and remained the same in four. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.8 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.5 percent.

Jessica Englert will become the North Carolina Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary of the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS), Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has announced.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has named David Spratley, an experienced financial and economic development executive, as the department’s Senior Assistant Secretary of Finance.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

Aircraft Solutions USA Inc., a leader in managing aircraft at the end of their service life, will establish a new subsidiary at North Carolina’s Global TransPark to recycle aircraft parts and materials.

Cataler North America Corporation, a major manufacturer of catalysts for automobiles and engines, will build a new manufacturing plant in Hickory, creating 151 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Cataler will invest a minimum of $42 million in the project in Catawba County.

Microsoft Corp. (NYSE: MSFT), the global technology and software company, will create 500 new jobs in Wake County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $47.5 million to expand their operations in Morrisville.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 12 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,113,122, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 473 jobs.

Michael Aram, Inc., an internationally renowned luxury design company offering a wide range of craft-based jewelry, tabletop and home furnishings, will create 118 jobs as it relocates a logistics center to Wayne County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Sunlight Batteries USA, an industrial battery manufacturer, member of the Greek multinational Group Olympia, will create 46 jobs in Guilford County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.