Press Releases

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved nine grant requests to local governments totaling $2,221,694, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 191 jobs, 22 of which were previously announced.

TAT Piedmont Aviation, an aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) company, will expand its operations near the Piedmont Triad International Airport and create 85 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

EPOC Enviro, a PFAS remediation company, will create 226 new jobs in Iredell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $4.1 million to locate its first North American production site to Statesville.

Pilkington North America, Inc. (PNA), a major glass manufacturing company, will invest $86.8 million in its operations in Scotland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 74 of North Carolina’s counties in February 2023, increased in five, and remained unchanged in 21. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.6 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.

Severn Peanut Company, a peanut sheller, will create 44 jobs in Bladen County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $17 million to upgrade and renovate its facility in Elizabethtown for peanut butter production.

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders are encouraging North Carolina employers to hire veterans and to apply for recognition with a HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an official program of the U.S.

The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2023 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent.

A third opportunity opened today for local governments in North Carolina’s rural areas to once again apply for a Rural Transformation Grant.  The popular grant program from the Department of Commerce helps communities overcome challenges that limit their economic competitiveness.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in January 2023 and decreased in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.1 percent while Greene, Buncombe, and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.0 percent.