Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 56 of North Carolina’s counties in November, decreased in 14, and remained unchanged in 30. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Five of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, three decreased, and seven remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from October’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent. North Carolina’s November 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,415 over the month to 4,814,098 and increased 68,418 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,294 over the month to 177,230 and decreased 44,690 over the year.

Raleigh, N.C. –  Isotopen Technologien München AG (ITM), a group of specialized radiopharmaceutical companies, has selected Catawba County for its first North American manufacturing facility of its subsidiary Isotopes Technologies Garching (ITG), creating 137 new jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. ITM will invest $12 million in Hickory with the project.

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH), a leading provider of information technology, consulting and business process services, will expand its operations in Charlotte, creating 300 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The state’s Economic Investment Committee approved a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) to support the company’s expansion in North Carolina.

Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, will expand operations in Catawba County, creating 100 new jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The company will add these jobs over four years and invest $31.4 million in the project.

LGM Enterprises, LLC, an aviation company that operates the Fly Exclusive jet charter service, will create 145 jobs and launch a company to paint and refurbish aircraft at the North Carolina Global TransPark, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project brings an investment of $10.5 million to Lenoir County.

North Carolina is already benefiting from collaborative efforts to establish regional career pathways across the state, according to a new report prepared for the NCWorks Commission, Governor Roy Cooper’s statewide workforce development board. The state now has 35 NCWorks Certified Career Pathways, and the “impact report” focuses on the thirteen that had reached one year of implementation by June 30, 2018.

AvidXchange, a leading fintech provider of accounts payable (AP) and payment automation solutions for midsize companies, will expand its Charlotte headquarters, creating 1,229 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company, an industry leader in automating invoice and payment processes for midmarket companies spanning multiple industries will invest $41 million in Mecklenburg County.

Seven additional counties are now eligible to participate in the temporary employment program that puts North Carolinians to work on recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Florence, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. To date, 51 counties have been declared eligible for the program. 

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 19 grant requests totaling $7,275,100, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 407 jobs, 167 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $95 million in private investment.