Press Releases

Today the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) announced a first-round Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), making $40 million in federal funding available to help restore and reinvigorate commercial districts in western North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Today Governor Josh Stein joined Siemens Mobility Inc. at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new passenger rail manufacturing center in Lexington.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Linde Inc., an industrial gases and engineering company, will create 20 new jobs in Northampton County. The jobs are part of an investment of more than $75 million to build an air separation facility in Garysburg.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that Capital Group, one of the world’s largest and most experienced active asset managers, will establish a major East Coast operations hub in Charlotte.“We’re excited that Charlotte’s reputation as one of the nation’s top banking centers has attracted Capital Group to establish its East Coast hub here,” said Governor Stein. “North Carolina offers a talent pool that’s especially well suited to helping financial services companies like the Capital Group succeed in our state.”

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced TSEA Energy, a manufacturer of energy equipment, will establish its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Rockingham County. The company says it will create 160 jobs and invest $25 million in Eden.“I am delighted to welcome TSEA Energy to North Carolina and Rockingham County,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our highly skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and convenient East Coast location will help them modernize the electrical grid as utilities meet the growing energy demand in our state and our nation.”

Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, and North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette are encouraging North Carolina employers to hire veterans and to apply for recognition with a HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an official program of the U.S. Department of Labor. The application period ends April 30, 2026. 

Governor Josh Stein today announced nearly $8.5 million in new infrastructure grants to support small business recovery in western North Carolina. The funding will assist 13 local projects through the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), continuing the state’s coordinated response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce will recognize 42 individuals and organizations at the N.C. Main Street Champions Recognition Ceremony on March 12 in New Bern.  Nominated by their respective Main Street communities, these award winners are honored for their commitment to downtown revitalization and building strong communities in 2025.

Thirteen communities will receive awards for excellence in downtown revitalization during the North Carolina Main Street Awards Ceremony, Wednesday, March 11 in New Bern. North Carolina Department of Commerce Chief Deputy Secretary Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development Reginald Speight, and Director of the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center Liz Parham will present the awards in categories that include Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.

Seventy-two small businesses from Murphy to Manteo have earned the designation as a Certified North Carolina Destination Business by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Launched by the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center in 2025 with 33 businesses, this statewide initiative strengthens small businesses and enhances community vitality by transforming local shops into destination-worthy experiences.