Press Releases

North Carolina’s December Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted December 2022 unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

The Largest Statewide Downtown Revitalization Conference in the Nation Will Meet In-Person in 2023

The 2023 North Carolina Main Street Conference is bringing community and economic development leaders back together in-person March 14-16 in downtown Statesville.

Secretary Sanders Statement on Fidelity Investments’ New Invest in My Education (ME)℠ Initiative

Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders issued a statement today, following Fidelity Investments’ announcement of its Invest in My Education (ME)℠ initiative:

N.C. Commerce Department Employee Receives 2023 John R. Larkins Award

Felicia Culbreath-Setzer, NCWorks Regional Operations Director for the Northwest Prosperity Zone at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, was honored today as the recipient of the 

2022: Another Record-Breaking Year for New Jobs and Investment in North Carolina

Governor Roy Cooper announced 28,690 new jobs in North Carolina in 2022, representing 182 business recruitment, expansion or rural development projects that engaged with the North Carolina Department of Commerce or its team at the Economic Development Partnership of N.C.

ICYMI: Business Facilities Magazine Names North Carolina State of the Year for Economic Development

After a historic year for job announcements and investments, North Carolina has been named the “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine.

North Carolina's November County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 92 of North Carolina’s counties in November, increased in four, and remained unchanged in four. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent while Buncombe and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.0 percent.

Commerce Secretary Announces New Leader for Division of Employment Security

Today, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders announced that M. Antwon Keith will serve as the acting Assistant Secretary for the Division of Employment Security (DES).

27 North Carolina Communities Receive $42.3 Million in Neighborhood Revitalization Grants

The North Carolina Department of Commerce awarded 30 Community Development Block Grant - Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) fund requests to 27 local governments totaling $42.3 million.

North Carolina’s November Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2022 unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.