Press Releases

Governor Josh Stein announced this week that more than $7 million in economic development grants benefiting 15 North Carolina counties has been awarded by the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC). The grants will support job creation and retention, investments in critical infrastructure that fuel economic growth, and strengthened workforce development pipelines through targeted training and education.

Two television/streaming series and an independent feature-length film have been approved for North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grants. The productions, estimated to be creating more than 4,900 jobs in total, are expected to spend more than $113 million during their production windows, supporting North Carolina film crew professionals and small businesses servicing the productions across much of the state.

Dr. Andrea DeSantis, Assistant Secretary for Workforce Solutions at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to help shape one of the most significant federal workforce training reforms in years.

The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from August’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 1,020 over the month to 5,089,209 and decreased 306 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 2,954 over the month to 197,807 and increased 2,499 over the year.

Governor Josh Stein today announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 15 grant requests for local governments totaling $5,042,113. The grants include commitments to creating a total of 702 jobs, 386 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects is expected to attract more than $104 million in private sector investment.

Today Governor Josh Stein held his latest NC Strong Update to

In Hendersonville, reconstruction is moving quickly for a Helene survivor’s new home.

Today, the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced the county tier designations for 2026. The designations, which are mandated by state law, play a role in several programs that assist in economic development.Eighteen counties will change tier designations for 2026.Counties moving to a less distressed tier ranking include Beaufort, Camden, Davie, Graham, Macon, Montgomery, Randolph, Stanly, and Surry.Counties moving to a more distressed tier ranking include Buncombe, Burke, Granville, Haywood, Henderson, Jones, Madison, Pasquotank, and Yancey.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced CITEL America, Inc., a French manufacturer of industrial surge protection products, will create 57 new jobs in Orange County. The company will invest $12.5 million to relocate its North American operations to Hillsborough.

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that Environmental Air Systems, LLC, a leading volumetric modular manufacturer of HVAC infrastructure, will create 300 jobs in Randolph County. The company will invest approximately $20 million to establish a new sub-assembly production operation in Asheboro.