Press Releases

Governor Josh Stein today announced that North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 15 grant requests for local governments totaling $5,876,853. The grants include commitments to create a total of 277 jobs, 71 of which were previously announced. As a result of these grants, the additional investment in these projects, from private and public sources, is expected to reach more than $43 million.

Today Governor Josh Stein celebrated the Siemen

Film and television production activity in North Carolina generated an estimated $185.5 million in direct in-state spending in 2025. The total reflects robust investment across feature films, streaming and television series, reality programming, commercials, and independent projects, and the sum ranks as the fourth-highest year-end total since the current version of the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant program went into effect in 2015.

In 2025, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, along with its Rural Economic Development Division and the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority, awarded rural communities across North Carolina $136.3 million in grants to revitalize housing in local neighborhoods, install and upgrade industrial infrastructure, upfit older buildings to attract businesses, and advance projects in downtown districts.

Today Governor Josh Stein held his latest NC Strong Update to

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 99 counties in December 2025 and increased in one. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.4 percent while Stanly County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.8 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

North Carolina community and economic development leaders will convene in downtown New Bern for the 2026 North Carolina Main Street Conference March 10-12. Registration is now open for the 25th annual meeting where community leaders can gather inspiration, practical tools, and proven strategies to advance their local revitalization efforts.

Today in Enfield, Governor Stein visited the US 301 Industrial Site and highlighted North Carolina’s efforts to prepare industrial sites for development through the Selectsite Readiness Program. For its efforts across the state, North Carolina was just named the 2025 State of the Year by Business Facilities Magazine.

North Carolina has been named 2025 State of the Year by Business Facilities magazine, recognizing the state’s strong business climate and continued success in attracting investment and creating jobs in communities statewide.The designation reflects North Carolina’s performance across key economic development indicators, including workforce and education, infrastructure, business incentives, quality of life, and business attraction and retention.

Today Governor Josh Stein joined North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley and local partners to unveil the state’s 2026 schedule of premier events supported by the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund. The lineup features crowd-pleasers that create jobs, support local businesses, boost tourism, and reinforce the reasons North Carolina consistently ranks as a top state for business, workforce development, and travel.