Press Releases

On behalf of Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley joined state and business leaders from across the Southeast and Japan in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 48th Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) and the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association. Lilley spoke at the October 25–27 conference’s opening ceremony and welcomed members of North Carolina’s delegation at a pre-conference reception, highlighting the state’s longstanding relationship with Japan and its commitment to expanding economic opportunities through

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in September 2026. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 4.7 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.3 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.2 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 2.7 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.1 percent.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Bracco, a global leader in diagnostic imaging, will create 200 jobs and invest $230 million in opening its first U.S. location to manufacture contrast media in the Lee County city of Sanford.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced US Conec Ltd., a global leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of high-density optical interconnects, will add 224 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $149.7 million to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hickory.“North Carolina companies appreciate the advantages of operating in our state,” said Governor Josh Stein. “US Conec’s decision to expand here validates the strength of our manufacturing base, our skilled talent, and our stable business climate.”

Today Governor Josh Stein and State Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley joined leaders of The Whiskey Project Group and local officials to celebrate the opening of the company’s new North American manufacturing facility in Edenton, expanding North Carolina’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and strengthening the state’s role in the defense industry.

The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2026 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,623 over the month to 5,053,743 and decreased 49,720 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,204 over the month to 179,830 and decreased 24,757 over the year.

Today Governor Josh Stein visited Roanoke-Chowan Community College to highlight how a recent Southeast Crescent Regional Commission grant is helping the college work to train a welding workforce in Northeastern North Carolina.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced the winners of the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction for 2026. A regional apprenticeship initiative, a manufacturer, a sector partnership, and five individual North Carolinians received awards for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development. The award recipients were recognized on October 14 and 15 during ceremonies held in Greensboro as part of the 39th annual NCWorks Partnership Conference.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina's Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved nine grant requests for local governments totaling $2,236,000. The grants include commitments to create a total of 219 jobs, 141 of which were previously announced. As a result of these grants, the additional private investment in these projects is expected to exceed $504 million.