Press Releases

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.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Utili-Serve, LLC, a utility infrastructure company, will add 105 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $24.8 million to expand its headquarters and construct a new 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Conover.

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced Corvid Technologies, an employee-owned non-traditional defense contractor, will add 423 jobs in Iredell County. The company will invest $95 million to expand its Mooresville campus and build an additional advanced manufacturing facility.

Applications to the One North Carolina Small Business Program are now being accepted from technology-based, small businesses that call North Carolina home.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded employer engagement grants totaling $660,000 to 13 local workforce development boards, Governor Josh Stein announced today.