Press Releases

Governor Cooper Announces Five Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 133 New Jobs and more than $68 Million in Private Investment

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved five grant requests to local governments totaling $1,384,730, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 133 jobs.

John Deere Electric Powertrain to Invest $69 Million for its North American Headquarters and New Battery Production Operations in Kernersville

Deere & Company [NYSE: DE] and Kreisel Electric GMBH, an Austrian company, which John Deere acquired majority ownership of in 2022, will create 50 jobs in Forsyth County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

North Carolina's June County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 86 of North Carolina’s counties in June 2023, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in nine. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.4 percent while Swain County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Commerce’s First in Talent Town Hall Highlights Progress in Year Two of State’s Strategic Plan

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and several of its state partners provided updates on the state’s economic development strategic plan during a virtual First in Talent Town Hall today.

Governor Cooper Announces CommScope to Add 250 New Jobs in $60 Million Investment for Fiber-Optic Cable Manufacturing Operations in Catawba County

CommScope [NASDAQ: COMM], a global telecommunications leader, plans to add 250 new jobs with a $60.3 million investment to expand its fiber-optic cable manufacturing operations in Catawba County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

North Carolina’s June Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2023 unemployment rate was 3.3 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from May’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent.

New Funding Source for Local Economic Development and Infrastructure Projects Now Accepting Applications

Local governments in 69 North Carolina counties can now apply for funding from a program associated with the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC), a state and federal partnership agency crafted along the model of the long-established Appalachian Regional Commission.

Statement from NC Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders on CNBC Ranking, North Carolina Named America’s Top State for Business, Two Consecutive Years:

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders issued a statement today, following CNBC’s announcement naming North Carolina “America’s Top State for Business” for the second year in a row:

Governor Cooper Announces Honda Aircraft Company Will Create 280 Jobs in Major Greensboro Investment

Honda Aircraft Company, maker of the renowned HondaJet light aircraft, will develop and produce a longer-range version of the plane at its Greensboro facilities, creating 280 jobs Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Governor Cooper Announces Major Rail Industry Firm Will Move Headquarters to Charlotte

TTX Company, a major provider of railcars and related freight car management services to the North American rail industry, will move its headquarters to Charlotte, creating 150 jobs Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The company will invest $14.5 million in Mecklenburg County.