Press Releases

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.

The Clearing House Payments Company, LLC, a financial payments company, will expand in Winston-Salem creating 50 new jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $24.6 million in this expansion. “The financial services industry continues to thrive in North Carolina, and we have some of the top talent in the nation thanks to our strong colleges and universities,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “The Clearing House knows the quality of our workforce first hand, and I welcome the new opportunities this expansion will bring.”

LabCorp®  (NYSE: LH), the global life sciences company known for its world-class clinical laboratory and drug development services, will locate a new operations center in Durham County, creating 422 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $30 million in a Durham facility on the Parmer RTP campus. In addition to the new positions that will be added over time, the facility will house existing information technology staff, along with personnel from its drug development business, who currently occupy several locations in Durham and Wake counties.

Albaad USA, Inc., a multinational manufacturer of wet wipes and other hygiene products will expand its U.S. operations in Reidsville, creating 302 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $45 million to produce additional lines of personal care products in Rockingham County.

Neopac US, Inc., a global manufacturer of primary packaging for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, chose Wilson County for its first U.S. manufacturing plant and new North American headquarters, creating up to 44 new jobs and investing more than $30.8 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will build a new high-tech facility for high barrier Polyfoil® tube production at the Wilson Corporate Park and will work with the local government and education system to train new employees.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 74 of North Carolina’s counties in February, increased in 10, and remained unchanged in 16.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 14.9 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.5 percent.  Eleven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases while four remained unchanged.  Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.7 percent.  The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.6 percent.