Press Releases

North Carolina's January County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 of North Carolina’s counties in January, decreased in one, and remained unchanged in six.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 14.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.6 percent.  Fourteen of the st

North Carolina Main Street Champions Honored

North Carolina Main Street Champions will be recognized for their commitment to downtown improvements and strong communities during an awards breakfast in Clayton March 15 at 9 a.m.

N.C. Department of Commerce Announces 2017 N.C. Main Street Award Winners

Nineteen communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization at the North Carolina Main Street and Small Town Main Street Awards Ceremony Wednesday, March 14 at 6 p.m.

N.C. Department of Commerce Announces 2017 N.C. Main Street Award Winners

Nineteen communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization at the North Carolina Main Street and Small Town Main Street Awards Ceremony Wednesday, March 14 at 6 p.m.

North Carolina’s January Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, remaining unchanged from December’s revised rate.  The national rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent..

Comment Period Extended to Recommend Communities for Investment

The comment period has been extended for local communities to recommend areas for new federal legislation that could bring investment to economic development where it is most needed.

Governor Cooper Announces 146 New Jobs in Western North Carolina at GE Aviation

Expansion in Buncombe and Ashe Counties Brings an Investment of More than $100 Million

Communities to Gather at the NC Main Street Conference

North Carolina communities will gather in Clayton on March 13–15 for the Department of Commerce’s annual NC Main Street conference, coordinated by the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center.

Governor Cooper Announces 375 New Jobs with EY Expansion in Mecklenburg County

RALEIGH: Ernst & Young LLP (EY), one of the largest professional services organizations in the world, will expand in Mecklenburg County creating 375 jobs and investing $8.2 million in Charlotte over the next five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. 

Western N.C. Communities Receive $1.6M to Enhance Workers' Health Care

: A new program aimed at improving worker health in the automotive, aviation and manufacturing sectors in Western North Carolina launched today, Governor Roy Cooper announced.