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.
All in Business
Pass the Credit Card Competition Act and Stop Card Companies from Swiping Our Donations
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.
North Carolina's October Employment Figures Released
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.
North Carolina's September Employment Figures Released
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.
North Carolina's March County and Area Employment Figures Released
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.
Treasurer Folwell applauds Unilever, PLC for spinning off Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
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 Stein Fights to Protect North Carolinians from High Interest Loans
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.
Turkey prices are down, but food prices still soaring
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.
High staff vacancies meant NC agencies left budgeted money unspent
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.
Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders on CNBC Ranking, NC Named America's Top State for Business, Two Consecutive Years
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:
New business creations at near-record levels through April
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.
Raleigh-based First Citizens agrees to buy failed SVB
Raleigh-based First Citizens has agreed to buy the failed SVB (Silicon Valley Bank). The FDIC issued a statement late Sunday that they agreed on the sale of all deposits and loans of the troubled bank.
Marc Rotterman, former host of Front Row, files complaint to compel David Crabtree, PBSNC to stop “stonewalling” and comply with open records request
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.
Incentives package worth $1.2 billion draws electric car plant to NC
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.
Survey finds most businesses meeting or exceeding revenue goals
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 pauses business recovery grant phase 2 process
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.
Governor Cooper announces pharmaceutical company BestCo will expand in Iredell County creating 394 jobs
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.
Case against former Forsyth County investment adviser concludes with guilty plea, lengthy sentence
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 to expand in Goldsboro with a $35 million investment
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.
Governor Cooper announces Boom will manufacture Supersonic Aircraft
Boom Supersonic, the high-profile aviation company building modern supersonic airliners for commercial service, will build its manufacturing and final assembly facility in Greensboro, creating more than 1,750 jobs by 2030, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project will bring an investment of more than $500 million through 2030 at a site located at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Guilford County.