Press Releases

Today the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The first round of the community infrastructure grants will make $55 million of the total $193 million federal funding allocation available to help local governments in western North Carolina strengthen infrastructure and improve resilience against natural hazards.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 70 counties, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in 25 in May 2026. Hyde and Edgecombe Counties each had the highest unemployment rate at 5.2 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and two remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.7 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent. 

Governor Josh Stein’s North Carolina AI Leadership Council released the AI Strategic Roadmap, a guide with strategic goals and principles to address the potential impact of AI on how people live and work.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Goldhofer Inc., a global manufacturer of heavy transport and airport ground support equipment, will create 80 new jobs in Catawba County. The German company says it will invest more than $19.5 million to build its first North American assembly and production facility in Hickory. 

Today the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s 

The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, remaining unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 11,988 over the month to 5,086,003 and decreased 2,157 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,998 over the month to 194,590 and decreased 7,164 over the year.

Today Governor Josh Stein and the NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, announced the opening of applications for eligible training providers seeking approval to participate in the new Workforce Pell grant program. The program expands access to federal financial aid for students enrolled in short-term workforce training programs.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved eight grant requests for local governments totaling $4,085,208. The grants include commitments to create a total of 396 jobs, 300 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 $126.2 million. 

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Supreme Nonwoven Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced nonwoven materials and products, will create 50 new jobs in Davidson County. The company will invest $25.8 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Lexington. 

Today Governor Josh Stein joined state and local officials to break ground on JetZero’s first commercial airplane manufacturing facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport. JetZero’s flagship manufacturing operations will create more than 14,500 high-wage aerospace manufacturing jobs – the largest economic development project in North Carolina history based on job commitment.