Press Releases

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.  The report also found the number of innovation-oriented establishments in North Carolina increased by twice the national rate and that the state has seen impressive gains in the number of people engaged in engineering and other innovation-oriented occupations.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the Finish Line Grants program has issued more than 3,000 grants and $2 million since the program was announced in July 2018. The Finish Line Grants program helps students stay on track to complete their degree or credential when they face unexpected financial emergencies that might otherwise cause them to drop out. Gov. Cooper made the announcement at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte, joined by CPCC President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, CharlotteWorks President and CEO Danielle Frazier, and several Finish Line Grants recipients.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, a provider of baked desserts, treats and snacks, will create 108 jobs as it expands its food manufacturing center in Edgecombe County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest an additional $19.8 million in the bakery, located in Tarboro.

LLFlex, a leader in packaging materials and industrial laminate solutions, will create 46 new jobs in Guilford County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $7.6 million to locate a facility in High Point. “Another manufacturing jobs announcement for High Point is good news for the Triad. Companies like LLFlex will continue to expand in our state because we prioiritize our workforce and the skills needed to keep business on track,” said Governor Cooper.

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. All of the state’s 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount and Fayetteville at 4.6 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.6 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 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. She will succeed current Assistant Secretary Linda Cheatham, who will remain at the agency in a part-time role during a transition period. Englert currently serves as Workforce Development Policy Advisor for Governor Roy Cooper. In that role, she has worked closely with DWS on the Finish Line Grants program and other elements of Gov. Cooper’s NC Job Ready initiative.

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. Mr. Spratley will guide several economic development functions at Commerce, including the department’s Rural Economic Development Division and the Commerce Finance Center, the business unit that manages the state’s economic development incentive programs.

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. North Carolina’s November 2019 unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 7,892 over the month to 4,932,389 and increased 130,472 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 6,711 over the month to 197,456 and increased 12,077 over the year.

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. The company will create 475 jobs and invest nearly $100 million to establish the new aircraft recycling center in Lenoir County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

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. “Companies like Cataler know that more rural areas of North Carolina like Hickory are the perfect place for a great advanced manufacturing workforce, a lower cost of doing business and a fantastic quality of life,” said Governor Cooper.