Press Releases

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent. North Carolina’s April 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 6,958 over the month to 4,762,284 and increased 64,768 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,958 over the month to 219,559 and decreased 5,169 over the year.   

Amada North America, Inc., a manufacturer of precision sheet metal fabricating equipment, will develop a new product line in Guilford County creating 201 new jobs over the next five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Amada will invest $87 million in a facility in High Point that will manufacture and assemble a line of high-precision press break bending equipment for the U.S. market.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in March.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.7 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.3 percent.  All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.3 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.5 percent.  The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.3 percent.   

Raleigh, N.C. - Ahead of the release of his short session budget, Governor Roy Cooper today shared recommendations to create the NC Job Ready Fund to train and grow North Carolina’s workforce to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow. In February, Gov. Cooper laid out his key principles for improving North Carolina’s workforce: providing education and skills training, partnering with employers to prepare workers for evolving industries, and tapping into local innovation.

The National Main Street Center has designated 47 North Carolina communities as accredited Main Street America™ programs, the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced today. Each year, the National Main Street Center and N.C. Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center partner to announce the list of all accredited Main Street America programs, recognizing exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, remaining unchanged from February’s revised rate.  The national rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent. North Carolina’s March 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 3,495 over the month to 4,755,447 and increased 69,723 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 131 over the month to 222,519 and decreased 7,754 over the year. 

The State of North Carolina has recommended to the Unites States Treasury that 252 areas in the state be certified as Opportunity Zones, potentially opening a new source of investment capital for regions of the state that need it the most. The state submitted its recommendations on Friday, April 20 and final certification from the federal government is expected later this year.

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCO), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, technologies and services, will expand operations in Wadesboro, creating 19 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest $5.4 million in its Anson County facilities, enabling the introduction of its STAHL line of crane products into the North American market.

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCO), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, technologies and services, will expand operations in Wadesboro, creating 19 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company plans to invest $5.4 million in its Anson County facilities, enabling the introduction of its STAHL line of crane products into the North American market.

North and South Carolina’s energy sector and the assets that support it are strong contributors to the region’s economy that could benefit from greater stakeholder collaboration and a shared vision for future innovation, according to the results of a new survey published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and E4 Carolinas, a trade association for energy companies and organizations.