Press Releases

Fourteen communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization this evening at the North Carolina Main Street and Small Town Main Street Awards Ceremony.  The ceremony began today, Wednesday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. Chief Deputy Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Commerce Liz Crabill and Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development Kenny Flowers will present the awards in categories that include economic vitality, design, promotion and organization.

This press release, first published on March 11, 2019, has been updated to now include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' historical revisions for all labor force data, including updated information for the January 2018 labor force data as well as the reported over-the-year changes. The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.

Twenty-four communities located in smaller, rural counties across the state were selected by the N.C. Department of Commerce to participate in Downtown Strong, a new initiative of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  The program will provide downtown revitalization expertise to selected incorporated rural communities.

Cellectis, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company is planning to create up to 200 jobs as it locates its U.S. commercial-scale manufacturing facility in Wake County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company is developing immunotherapies based on gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cells (UCART).

Community and economic development leaders from across North Carolina will explore how three key ingredients combine to support vibrant downtowns at the 2019 edition of the N.C. Main Street Conference, the state’s premier gathering for downtown revitalization and development.  The conference, organized by the Department of Commerce and its N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, will convene March 12-14 in Salisbury.

Six local partnerships across North Carolina have won grants totaling almost $1.5 million to support efforts to connect people with the skills they need to get good-paying jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. He made the announcement at the North Carolina Research Campus location of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, lead partner for one of the innovative programs awarded a grant. 

Governor Roy Cooper has established a North Carolina Entrepreneurial Council to support policies that encourage entrepreneurship, foster economic development, and support sustainable, high-quality jobs. “Entrepreneurs play a key role in stimulating our economy, creating new businesses and jobs and helping to revitalize communities across our state,” said Gov. Governor Cooper. “This diverse council will elevate North Carolina’s entrepreneurial spirit and promote innovation in our economy.” 

Aetna, a CVS Health business, is growing its presence in North Carolina and will add more than 300 new employees in High Point by the end of 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The business will invest approximately $2.5 million to upgrade its facilities and equipment in conjunction with this expansion.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 11 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,127,500, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 460 jobs, 307 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $69 million in private investment.

BestCo LLC, a developer and manufacturer of consumer healthcare products, will create 141 jobs as it expands its manufacturing center in Iredell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest an additional $47.5 million in the facility, located in Mooresville. “Companies choose to invest in communities where they’ll be able to succeed, and BestCo decided to expand in Mooresville because it knows this community,” Governor Cooper said. “Employers that know North Carolina know we have the talent, infrastructure and businesses climate they need to thrive.”