Press Releases

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.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced GE Aerospace will add 44 new jobs in Ashe County. The company will invest more than $52.9 million to expand its site in West Jefferson.“GE Aerospace’s expansion is a win for western North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “GE Aerospace could have chosen any location for this investment, but they chose the ‘First in Flight’ state because they believe in the hardworking people of Ashe County to power them forward.”

Today Governor Josh Stein announced VectorTex USA, LLC, a product developer and technology company, will create 44 new jobs in Bladen County. The company will invest more than $6 million to establish its first North American manufacturing facility in Elizabethtown.  

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced intelligent power management company Eaton will add 30 jobs in Nash County by expanding its aerospace components manufacturing facility with a $6.8 million investment in the Town of Middlesex.“I am delighted to announce Eaton’s recommitment to North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This additional investment strengthens our position as a national leader in aerospace manufacturing. The aerospace supply chain gets continues to thrive here in the first in flight state, making us also the future of flight.”

Governor Josh Stein today announced that Novartis, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of innovative medicines, will expand its pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in North Carolina. The company says it expects to create 700 new jobs by the end of 2030 in Durham and Wake counties, while investing $771 million in the City of Durham and Town of Morrisville. 

Aspida Financial Services, a life insurance and annuity group, will begin a phased expansion of their global headquarters, adding 1,000 new jobs in Durham County over the next several years. The company will invest more than $28 million in the City of Durham.“Aspida’s decision to scale its headquarters in Durham reflects the strength of our state’s talent pipeline and the collaborative spirit of our economic development partners,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “We look forward to supporting the growth of other home-grown North Carolina companies.”

Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that global integrated logistics company Maersk has selected Charlotte for its official North American headquarters. Maersk will add 520 jobs to its current Charlotte-based workforce over the next several years, ultimately bringing its Charlotte workforce to more than 1,300. The company will invest $16 million in Mecklenburg County in the process.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Vulcan Elements Inc., a manufacturer of rare earth magnets, will invest $918.1 million in the town of Benson to expand its magnet production capacity and establish the largest magnet factory in the world outside of China. The company will add 1,000 new jobs to Johnston County.