Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April. Dare County had the highest unemployment rate at 24.5 percent, while Bertie County had the lowest at 6.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.

Governor Roy Cooper has announced that North Carolina has received a $6 million federal grant to support jobs and workforce training to help address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demographic and location data about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in April was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The new data regarding claims for benefits include details such as age range, the industries impacted, and the number of cla

Today, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland announced that Pryor Gibson will serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Employment Security (DES). He assumes the role immediately, and will be responsible for the Division’s operations, communication and accountability.

Unix Packaging, a California-based contract manufacturer of branded and private label beverages, will create 226 new jobs in Burke County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $19 million to locate its first East Coast manufacturing facility in Morganton.

Ontex Operations USA, LLC part of Belgium’s Ontex Group NV, has plans to establish significant new operations in Rockingham County that would create up to 403 new jobs by 2025, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 12.2 percent, increasing 7.9 percentage points from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 10.3 percentage points to 14.7 percent.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company has been awarded a Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund (JMAC) grant to support the relocation of its foundry operation from Mecklenburg County to Stanly County.

More information about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in North Carolina in March was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The new data regarding claims for benefits include details about the applicants’ demographics, the industries impacted,