Press Releases

Throughout 2025, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has played a central role in supporting western North Carolina’s recovery after Hurricane Helene, including delivering housing assistance, workforce support, and economic recovery resources to help communities stabilize and rebuild. Through coordinated efforts across multiple Commerce divisions, the state has assisted thousands of families, workers, and small businesses while laying the foundation for long-term resilience and economic strength.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2025 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. The national rate was 4.6 percent. October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 5,325 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 7,465 over the year.

Today Site Selection magazine ranked North Carolina the Top State for Workforce Development for 2026. Governor Josh Stein celebrated this ranking during a visit to Machine Specialties Inc. (MSI) in Whitsett, where he highlighted the state’s workforce investments and the recent recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce recently awarded grants to eight local governments to support housing and public improvements for low- and moderate-income North Carolinians. The grants, totaling more than $12 million, were awarded from the department’s Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) program.

Today Renew NC, North Carolina’s housing recovery program, announced that the deadline for western North Carolina homeowners to apply for assistance through the Single-Family Housing Program (SFHP) has been extended to January 31. The extension provides one additional month for homeowners to submit applications for help with repairing, reconstructing, or replacing homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. North Carolina got its federally funded housing program up and running faster than any other Helene-impacted state.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley issued a statement today, following news of the passing of Governor Jim Hunt:

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that furniture manufacturer Coley Home will create 45 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest $9 million to expand its production capacity in the city of Claremont with a new manufacturing facility.“North Carolina is the furniture capital of the world, and Coley Home’s expansion reinforces that truth,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I’m delighted to see this homegrown company grow and thrive in Catawba County, validating the quality of our workforce and the excellence of our manufacturing.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 counties in September 2025, increased in one, and remained unchanged in one. Halifax County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.6 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.1 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.2 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

Today Governor Stein announced two people will be joining his leadership team to increase engagement with the private sector and modernize state government: Doug Warf as Senior Advisor for Business Engagement and Torre Jessup as Senior Advisor for Digital Experience. 

Applications are now being accepted for a new round of grants from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a key source of funding small businesses engaged in research, development, and innovation leading to commercial products.“Young companies are responsible for the majority of net new job creation,” said North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley. “The One NC Small Business Program provides funding to help these young companies bridge the gap between innovation and the marketplace, creating great jobs and new products that change the world.”