Press Releases

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.

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. “Companies like Microsoft continue to expand in North Carolina because they see us as the right fit for technology success. Skilled, diverse workers and strong infrastructure mean businesses are confident that expanding in our state is a good business decision,” said Governor Cooper.

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. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $111 million in private investment.  

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. The company will invest nearly $5.7 million in the facility, to be located in Goldsboro.  

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. The company will invest $6.5 million in machinery and infrastructure to establish their first North American assembly and distribution facilities in Greensboro. “Global manufacturers like Sunlight batteries see great potential in North Carolina, from our location to our highly skilled workforce” said Governor Cooper. 

Merck (NYSE: MRK), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, will invest $57 million and create 55 jobs in Wilson, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The expansion will establish a filling and packaging line for the company’s RotaTeq® vaccine. “Merck is a cornerstone of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and good jobs will continue to grow with today’s announcement in Wilson,” said Governor Cooper.