Press Releases

In the two years since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has helped families, businesses, and communities with the support needed to rebuild stronger than ever. Commerce is administering $1.4 billion in federal recovery funds supporting housing, infrastructure, and community development, welcomed nearly $7.7 billion of tourism to the mountains, announced economic development projects bringing 4,105 new jobs to the region, and dispersed more than $96 million in disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits to people in need. These

Today in Lansing, Governor Stein announced $5 million in new infrastructure grants to support small business recovery in western North Carolina through the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program. Two years since Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, Governor Stein continues to advocate for a $10 billion appropriation from Congress to support the next phase of recovery, including $5 billion to rebuild infrastructure, $3 billion to build more housing, and $1.5 billion to support economic recovery. 

The North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center reported today that since the inception of the Main Street program in North Carolina in 1980, designated Main Street and Small Town Main Street communities have leveraged more than $6.6 billion in public and private investment in their downtown districts.

The state’s seasonally adjusted August 2026 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from July’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent.

Today Governor Stein joined officials with the N.C. Global TransPark and the U.S. Navy in Kinston for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul complex. The facility will provide fleet support to the United States military and bring more than 400 jobs to eastern North Carolina, with an estimated $140 million annual economic impact.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that Charlotte will host the 2027, 2028, and 2029 Women’s Tennis Association Finals with the support of a $14.4 million grant from North Carolina’s Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund (MEGA). Offered by the N.C. Department of Commerce, the grant will assist the Charlotte Sports Foundation, in partnership with the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and other community and business leaders, in hosting the three-year event.

Today Governor Josh Stein and Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley toured Cinespace Studios in Wilmington and discussed the impacts of changes to the state’s film incentive program to North Carolina’s economy.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce, on behalf of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, today released the 2026 Tracking Innovation report, the tenth edition since 2000.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced SteelFab, Inc., a steel fabrication company, will add 38 new jobs in Cumberland County. The company will invest more than $19 million to expand operations in Fayetteville.“North Carolina is a place where businesses like SteelFab can grow,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Cumberland County is home to a world-class workforce, legacy of manufacturing excellence, and convenient East Coast location. We’re grateful that SteelFab is doubling down on Cumberland.”

Today Governor Stein announced that the North Carolina Department of Commerce, on behalf of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, & Innovation, has awarded 50 grants to 46 North Carolina-based small businesses to develop and commercialize innovative new technologies.