Press Releases

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in September. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.

North Carolina veterans now have new tools available to help them find jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today just ahead of Veterans Day and Employ a Veteran Week.

A manufacturer, a technology training partnership and four individual North Carolinians have won the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction for outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland announced today.

The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 21 grant requests totaling $6,935,250, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 616 jobs, 304 of which were previously announced.

Asheville Kombucha Mamas, LLC, a locally owned natural beverage company more commonly known as BUCHI, is expanding in Madison County, creating 28 new jobs and currently investing $2 million with plans to invest up to $7 million over the next three years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Enforge, LLC, a manufacturer of steel-formed suspension and steering assemblies for automotive companies, is expanding in Stanly County, creating 44 new jobs and investing $4 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

POLYWOOD, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastics, will create 384 jobs over five years in Person County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $35.3 million to open a manufacturing and distribution center in Roxboro. 

Thirteen additional counties are now eligible to participate in the temporary employment program that puts North Carolinians to work on recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Florence, N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today.

A new competitive grant program will support local efforts to meet workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today at the NCWorks Partnership Conference in Greensboro.