All in Business
While I've stepped back from day-to-day editorial decisions, I've shifted my focus to growing our news portfolio, expanding our high school sports coverage into Wayne County, and delivering stronger video and social media services to our clients. That work continues, and today I'm excited to share a couple of updates that I believe will improve your experience across all of our platforms.
The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent.
State and federal resources are often quick to help minimize the damage and rebuild after devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. Many Americans also know that charities and nonprofit organizations like mine work tirelessly to help those impacted get back on their feet and fill the gaps both during and long after the event occurs.
Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted October 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent.
The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2024 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, remaining unchanged from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 44 of North Carolina’s counties in March 2024, increased in 22, and remained unchanged in 34. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.
RALEIGH - Unilever PLC has decided to separate its ice cream business, which it started in 1922, citing future growth benefits for both entities. State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell praised this move, stating that North Carolina's Investment Management Division would assess whether this separation aligns with the state's "Divestment From Companies Boycotting Israel" statutes. This decision follows DST's inclusion of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., and its affiliates, including Unilever PLC, in the list of companies subject to divestment due to their boycott of Israel.
Attorney General Josh Stein this week filed a brief in federal court defending North Carolina’s laws protecting residents from predatory high interest loans. A car title lender is challenging the constitutionality of North Carolina’s laws preventing such loans.
While consumers may see a slight dip in food costs for this Thanksgiving, prices are still up compared to pre-pandemic 2019. The American Farm Bureau says this year’s classic feast for 10 family and friends should cost, on average, $61.17. That’s a bit more than 4% down from 2022. However, in 2022 the nation saw a dramatic 9.9% increase in food prices.
North Carolina agencies left untouched more than $1 billion set aside for them, partly because of the state employee staff shortage, the state budget office said Monday.
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:
As the nation celebrates National Small Business Week this week, N.C. Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall reported to the Council of State today that new business creation filings for 2023 are at near-record levels.
Former host of Front Row with Marc Rotterman on PBSNC, Marc Rotterman, and Old School Productions (OSP) have filed a verified complaint in Wake County Superior Court to compel PBS North Carolina (PBSNC) to comply with their open records request, which was submitted over two-and-a-half months ago. The request was related to the recent cancellation of the highly popular political panel discussion show, which the complaint alleges was due to the show moving too far to the right. Attorney Kieran J. Shanahan of Shanahan Law Group, PLLC, representing OSP and Rotterman, claims that PBSNC has chosen to stonewall a legitimate public records request, prompting the legal action.
A Vietnamese automaker has announced plans to build a $4 billion electric-vehicle assembly and battery-manufacturing plant at Triangle Innovation Point in Moncure, about 30 miles west of the Triangle. To attract the newly formed company, the state and Chatham County promise to spend nearly $1.2 billion in incentives over the next 32 years. Meantime, VinFast is working to secure $1 billion in investment money to build the plant.
Sixty nine percent of businesses responding to an ongoing survey of North Carolina businesses report they either met or exceeded their revenue expectations in the month of January, according to preliminary results from the state’s Business Pulse Survey.
The NC Department of Revenue will temporarily pause accepting Phase 2 applications for Business Recovery Grants as the General Assembly considers increasing eligibility for additional types of businesses.
BestCo LLC, a leading manufacturer of innovative over-the-counter pharmaceutical, vitamin, and supplement products will significantly expand its facilities in Iredell County, creating 394 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $177 million to increase production capacity in Mooresville.
A multi-year investigation led by law enforcement agents with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Securities Division with the assistance of the US Postal Inspection Service ended Tuesday with Forsyth County Superior Court Judge David Hall sentencing Russell Joseph Mutter to a minimum of 16 years, 3 months and a maximum of 22 years, 5 months in prison for a scam in which 12 victims – most of them elderly – lost over $3.3 million.
Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc. will create 167 jobs in Wayne County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $35 million to expand its manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution operations to Goldsboro.
