Press Releases

New Film & Entertainment Grant Recipients Begin Work in North Carolina

Patrice.Bethea — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:46:17 +0000

New Film & Entertainment Grant Recipients Begin Work in North Carolina Patrice.Bethea Wed, 10/30/2024 - 11:46

Raleigh, N.C.

Three television-streaming series and three independent feature-length films have been approved for North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grants. With production beginning this year, the six projects combined are expected to spend more than $172 million in the state, while creating more than 8,500 job opportunities.

“North Carolina’s film industry plays a critical role in our state’s economy, generating significant financial benefits for communities statewide,” said N.C. Governor Roy Cooper. “These grants will allow the industry to build on its momentum and will help fund an exciting group of TV and movie projects filmed right here in our state.”

The latest film productions include:

TV/Streaming Series

“The Runarounds” is approved for an award of up to $14 million with filming taking place greater Wilmington area.
Season 2 of “Blue Ridge” will film in and around the greater Charlotte area with an approved grant up to $2.37 million.
“The Waterfront” has been approved for a grant rebate up to $15 million and will be filmed in New Hanover and Brunswick counties.

Feature-length Films:

“Capsized” is shooting in New Hanover and Brunswick counties with production being approved for an award of up to $2.25 million.
“Roofman” is approved for a grant of up to $4.8 million with filming taking place in various locations in the greater Charlotte metro area.
“Apopka / Untitled Christy Martin Project” is also shooting in the greater Charlotte metro area and approved for an award of up to $4.6 million

“We appreciate the job opportunities that our skilled workforce is afforded from these productions,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Our winning formula of production talent combined with unique and compelling film locations, equals economic success for North Carolina's Film industry.”

These productions join other recent grant recipients “The Summer I Turned Pretty” – Season 3 ($15M award), “The Hunting Wives” – Season 1 ($12M award), “Merv” ($3.84M award), “The Shot” ($400,000 award), “The Gardener” ($450,000 award) and “The Double” ($300,000 award), as well as numerous other non-grant-eligible productions that have shot in the state this year.

“A flourishing film industry in our state is a win-win, bringing economic benefits and job opportunities to our residents and elevating North Carolina’s presence on the global stage,” said Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office. “We’re committed to nurturing this symbiotic relationship between filmmakers and the communities that make North Carolina an exceptional destination for cinematic storytelling.”

The North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant is used to attract feature film and television/streaming productions that stimulate economic activity and create jobs in the state. Production companies receive no money up front and must meet direct in-state spending requirements to qualify for grant funds, which are paid out as a rebate following the completion of the project and a successful audit of the production’s spending. The program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and promoted by the North Carolina Film Office, part of Visit NC and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

For more information, visit the North Carolina Film Office website.

Oct 30, 2024

North Carolina's September County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

drhoades — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 18:27:22 +0000

North Carolina's September County and Area Unemployment Figures Released drhoades Wed, 10/30/2024 - 14:27

Supplemental Release | September 2024 County and Area Employment Numbers

Raleigh, N.C.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in September 2024. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.6 percent while Buncombe, Ashe, Avery, Currituck, Watauga, Swain, and Dare Counties each had the lowest at 2.5 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.6 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.6 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent.

Month	Counties with Rates 5% or Below	Counties with Rates Between 5% and 10%	Counties with Rates Above 10%
September	97	3	0
August (revised)	79	21	0

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 66 counties, increased in 14, and remained unchanged in 20. Seven metro areas experienced rate decreases over the year, two increased, and six remained unchanged.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in September by 69,046 to 5,097,020, while those unemployed decreased by 56,132 to 167,762. Since September 2023, the number of workers employed statewide increased 6,657, while those unemployed decreased 2,266.

It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 when the statewide unemployment rate for October 2024 will be released.

###

Note to Editors: Supplemental data for this release is available via a live online dashboard.

Oct 30, 2024

Governor Cooper Hosts Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. and Senior Japanese Business Leaders for the 46th Annual Southeast U.S./Japan Conference in Charlotte

colleen.brown — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:46:41 +0000

Governor Cooper Hosts Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. and Senior Japanese Business Leaders for the 46th Annual Southeast U.S./Japan Conference in Charlotte colleen.brown Tue, 10/29/2024 - 09:46

Raleigh, N.C.

Governor Roy Cooper welcomed the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Shigeo Yamada, to Charlotte and served as the host-state Governor for the annual Southeastern United States/Japan (SEUS/Japan) Economic Development Conference. The conference convened on Sunday, October 27 in Charlotte to recruit Japanese industry and meet with business leaders.

“Japan is currently North Carolina’s number one source of international business investment, and I’m pleased to welcome once again Ambassador Shigeo Yamada to our state,” said Governor Cooper. “This conference attracts senior business leaders from signature Japanese companies like Toyota, Honda, Bridgestone, FUJIFILM Diosynth, and many others, and presents a rare opportunity to showcase everything North Carolina has to offer a global company.”

“We are delighted to host the 46th annual conference that celebrates and strengthens our economic ties to Japan," said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. "This conference will continue to reinforce a dynamic future that is shaped through collaboration, partnerships, innovation, and growth.”

SEUS/Japan is the premier economic development partnership between seven states in the Southeastern United States and Japan, one of the nation’s largest trading partners and allies. More than 31,000 North Carolinians go to work at 225 Japanese-owned companies across the state, with several thousand more scheduled to start in the next five years. In recent years, companies including Toyota, HondaJet, FUJIFILM Diosynth, Kyowa Kirin, Morinaga, and Nipro Medical Corporation have announced significant investments and new good-paying jobs in North Carolina communities.

Toyota serves as the conference’s title sponsor, and companies such as Duke Energy, Honeywell, Bank of America, the North Carolina Railroad Company, the Carolina Core, and the Special Event Company are also significant sponsors, along with many other economic development supporters. Last year, Governor Cooper appointed Sean Suggs, the President of Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, to serve as the Chairman of the seven-state association that organizes the conference each year.

Since taking office, Gov. Cooper’s sustained engagement with Japanese leaders and employers has paid dividends for North Carolina’s economy. From his first trip to Tokyo in 2017 to hosting a historic state visit from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April 2024, Gov. Cooper has made it a priority to recruit good-paying jobs from Japanese companies in high-growth industries like aerospace, electric vehicles, and biotech.

North Carolina is a founding member of the Southeast U.S./Japan Association, created in 1976 to promote trade, investment, understanding and friendship between Japan and member states in the southeastern United States. North Carolina’s membership is intended to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) from Japanese companies, as well as strengthen export ties for North Carolina companies selling goods in Japan.

Member states of SEUS/Japan are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. SEUS/Japan has a Japanese counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association currently led by the Bridgestone Corporation. The Japanese organization's membership includes Japan's top business leaders and government officials. The annual conference between the two associations is officially known as the Annual Joint Meeting and is held on a rotational basis in Japan and the states of the Southeast.

More information about the 2024 conference, including the conference agenda, is available at NC.gov/seusjapan.

Oct 29, 2024

Helping Parents of Young Children Reenter the Workforce Could Boost NC’s GDP by Up to $7.5 Billion

colleen.brown — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:43:27 +0000

Helping Parents of Young Children Reenter the Workforce Could Boost NC’s GDP by Up to $7.5 Billion colleen.brown Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:43

Raleigh, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. – A new report released today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and NC Child says helping parents of young children get back into North Carolina’s workforce could add up to $7.5 billion to the state’s GDP, generate up to an additional $13.3 billion in annual economic input, and create up to 68,000 new jobs statewide.

“Quality child care and early childhood education are a triple play, giving children access to a great education, helping parents to join the workforce and allowing businesses to hire high-quality employees,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This report shows that investing in child care could generate billions for our economy, bring thousands of jobs to North Carolina and help our families and children thrive.”

This new research arrives as many communities across Western North Carolina work to recover from devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, including employment losses and impacts on more than 200 licensed child care providers.

Prepared and released in partnership by the N.C. Department of Commerce and NC Child, the Empowering Work report leverages economic modeling to estimate the economic benefits of increasing employment among working-age adults who are currently out of the workforce.

Other key findings include:

100,000 fewer working-age parents with young children participated in North Carolina’s labor force in 2023 than in 2019

An estimated 14,000 – 31,000 working-age North Carolinians with young children could have potentially returned to the workforce in 2023

“Far too often, a lack of high-quality, affordable child care holds North Carolinians back from the workforce, costing families economic opportunity and creating talent recruitment and retention challenges for employers,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Expanding access to child care is essential to developing the robust workforce North Carolina needs, and critical to helping disaster-impacted communities recover.”

“The Empowering Work report confirms the vital role of child care access in helping parents maintain employment and support their families,” said Erica Palmer Smith, executive director of NC Child. “Greater public investment in early childhood education can help children succeed while enabling a thriving economy.”

The Empowering Work report identifies policy opportunities to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care in North Carolina, through the following significant public investments:

NC Child Care Subsidy Program enhancements, including a statewide floor for subsidy reimbursements

NC Child Care Stabilization Grants

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit expansion

NC Pre-K expansion

Smart Start expansion

NC Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program

Child Care WAGE$ Program expansion

Offering child care professionals free child care tuition through the state’s Child Care Subsidy Program

Connecting aspiring child care professionals postsecondary credential attainment programs, apprenticeships, and tuition assistance

The report also encourages leaders and stakeholders to consider supporting greater employer engagement with child care access solutions, including child care access in local, state, and regional workforce and economic development efforts, and identifying and scaling innovative public-private partnerships that improve child care access.

The Empowering Work report is the latest example of statewide research connecting increased access to child care with greater economic opportunity in North Carolina. In June 2024, the NC Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and NC Child released the Untapped Potential report, which estimated that gaps in North Carolina’s child care system cost North Carolina’s economy about $5.65 billion annually. In 2023, the NC Chamber of Commerce Foundation released survey results indicating that voters from across the political spectrum view taking action to ensure more working families have access to child care as an important priority for North Carolina.

The full report is available online here.

Oct 23, 2024

North Carolina’s September Employment Figures Released

drhoades — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:50:19 +0000

North Carolina’s September Employment Figures Released drhoades Tue, 10/22/2024 - 09:50

Supplemental Release | September 2024 Statewide Employment Numbers

Raleigh, N.C.

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 unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 659 over the month to 5,068,142 and increased 3,902 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,708 over the month to 197,885 and increased 11,192 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 8,000 to 5,033,700 in September. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 6,800; Professional & Business Services, 1,900; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,200; Construction, 400; Other Services, 200; Manufacturing, 100; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,500; Financial Activities, 1,000; and Information, 200. Government employment remained unchanged.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 2023

Area	Sep 2023	Oct 2023	Nov 2023	Dec 2023	Jan 2024	Feb 2024	Mar 2024	Apr 2024	May 2024	June 2024	July 2024	August 2024	Sep 2024
N.C.	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.6	3.6	3.7	3.8	3.8
U.S.	3.8	3.8	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.9	3.8	3.9	4.0	4.1	4.3	4.2	4.1

* Please note: 2023 numbers have undergone annual revision *

Since September 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 76,600 with the Total Private sector increasing by 59,900 and Government increasing by 16,700. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 29,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 17,100; Government, 16,700; Construction, 7,900; Other Services, 5,500; Professional & Business Services, 4,200; and Financial Activities, 2,500. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,100; Manufacturing, 2,200; and Information, 700. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2024 when the county unemployment rates for September 2024 will be released.

Oct 22, 2024

North Carolina Awards Science, Technology and Innovation Grants to 80 Small Businesses

drhoades — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:09:10 +0000

North Carolina Awards Science, Technology and Innovation Grants to 80 Small Businesses drhoades Fri, 10/18/2024 - 14:09

Report | 2024 Awardees One North Carolina Small Business Program

Raleigh, N.C.

The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation has awarded 80 North Carolina innovation-based small businesses a total of $2.339 million in funding to develop groundbreaking new technologies with the potential for commercialization. During North Carolina fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30, the Board awarded One North Carolina Small Business Program funding to businesses in 23 counties across the state.

The One North Carolina Small Business Program awards state-funded grants to small businesses that apply for and win awards from two highly competitive federal initiatives: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These federal programs, collectively referred to as America’s Seed Fund™, support technology development by small businesses with the eventual goal of commercialization and economic sustainability for the selected companies. The SBIR and STTR programs are the single largest source of early-stage technology development funding for small businesses, with nearly $4.4 billion awarded annually nationwide.

"Small businesses are the backbone of both local and state economies here in North Carolina, and their employees make up a critical part of our world-class workforce," said Governor Roy Cooper. "These grants will help innovative small businesses grow and develop new technologies.”

The SBIR and STTR programs are administered through 11 federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and Department of Agriculture, among others. By leveraging federal awards, the One North Carolina Small Business Program grants fill a key gap in North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem, helping to ensure that small businesses navigate the early stages of company growth. Many recipient companies commend the One North Carolina Small Business Program as the vital injection of capital they needed to put their companies on a successful trajectory.

The One North Carolina Small Business Program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce on behalf of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation. The Program provides two types of grants for companies pursuing SBIR and STTR awards: Incentive grants and Matching grants.

Incentive grants reimburse North Carolina small businesses for costs they incur in preparing their SBIR or STTR applications, as applying for the federal awards requires a significant investment of their time and funds. This program also incentivizes broader technology and geographic diversity among North Carolina’s SBIR and STTR applicants, helping more companies prepare first-time applications and improving the quality of submitted applications.

If a company is successful in winning a Phase I SBIR or STTR award, the Matching grant then supplements those funds to further help companies navigate the financial “Valley of Death,” attract follow-on investment, and ultimately grow their presence in North Carolina and ensure long-term success. The 35 companies receiving $2.011mllion in Matching grants this past cycle were awarded nearly $8.6 million in federal funds. An additional $317,323 was provided to 55 companies as Incentive grants to provide financial assistance for their SBIR or STTR application.

“The One North Carolina Small Business Program is the only State-funded grant program providing direct support to small businesses engaged in research & development leading to commercial products,” said Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Direct State support of small business research & development speeds of the creation and adoption of new products that improve the economic well-being and quality of life of all North Carolinians.”

Grant funding from the program has been used by small businesses to support jobs, purchase specialized equipment, protect intellectual property, and support facility infrastructure to enable the companies’ growth and opportunity for follow-on funding. Since 2006, One North Carolina Small Business Program, has provided 816 grants, totaling nearly $37 million, to small businesses across 39 counties and 68 cities. Those businesses have created and maintained more than 1,200 jobs and leveraged more than $8 billion in follow-on funding from other sources. This is a 250x return on state investment

“Innovative new products and services fuel economic prosperity and come from all parts of our state,” said N.C. Senator Paul Newton, co-chair of the Legislative Life Sciences Caucus. “Through this grant program, we continue to support more technological innovation by small businesses statewide, and that focus is paying off in a wider geographic distribution of awards.”

“Continued and increased funding for the One North Carolina Small Business Program will further grow and expand its reach and impact,” said N.C. Senator Mike Woodard, co-chair of the Legislative Life Sciences Caucus. “These innovative companies, which represent a wide cross section of industries - from life sciences, to defense, to information technology, to energy - are addressing some of society’s biggest challenges, while at the same time creating jobs and growing our economy.”

Review the complete list of One North Carolina Small Business program awards for fiscal year 2024.

The Office of Science, Technology, & Innovation, a division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, administers the program on behalf of the Board. For additional information, see https://www.nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/technology-funds/one-north-carolina-small-business-program.

Oct 18, 2024

Twelve Additional Counties Approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance Following Hurricane Helene

Patrice.Bethea — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 17:36:30 +0000

Twelve Additional Counties Approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance Following Hurricane Helene Patrice.Bethea Thu, 10/17/2024 - 13:36

Raleigh, N.C.

The Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that 12 additional counties have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) because of the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene, which brings the total approved for DUA to 39 counties plus the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.

With today’s announcement, DUA benefits are now available for residents of the following additional counties: Cabarrus, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Iredell, Lee, Nash, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union and Yadkin counties, in addition to those counties which were previously included in the disaster declaration. Additional counties may be added to the DUA availability designation at a later date.

People in the 12 newly approved disaster-declared counties, plus Mecklenburg and Swain counties, who are unable to continue working as a direct result of Hurricane Helene must file an application for benefits by December 9, 2024.

If you became unemployed as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Helene impacting North Carolina, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the DUA program. Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.

People and business owners must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for benefits:

No longer have the job that provided their primary source of income.
Are unable to reach their place of employment.
Cannot work because of an injury caused by the storm.
Were unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm.
Have become the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.

DUA is entirely funded by the federal government. You first need to file for state unemployment benefits. If you are determined to be ineligible for state unemployment or have exhausted your state benefits, then you may be eligible for a DUA claim.

You will need the following to file for unemployment:

Name and address of all employers you worked with within the last 24 months.
County of residence.
County of employment.
Mailing address and zip code.
Valid telephone number.
Your Social Security number or your Alien Registration number.
Have proof of employment and income if you’re self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisher.

To get DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. DES will work with people who cannot provide all documentation to ensure that their unemployment benefits are not delayed.

DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning with the week of Sept. 29, 2024, and may last for up to 26 weeks, which ends March 29, 2025. Eligibility for DUA is determined weekly, and you must continue to be out of work as a direct result of the disaster each week to get unemployment benefits.

Claims are filed through the DES website at des.nc.gov. If you are not able to file through the website, you can call the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857 to apply for benefits. A Spanish language DUA hotline is available at 919-276-5698.

With today’s announcement, DUA benefits are now available for residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.

For more information and an updated list of approved counties, go to our website at: des.nc.gov/dua.

Oct 17, 2024

Governor Cooper Announces 22 Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 144 New Jobs and over $83 Million of Investment

Patrice.Bethea — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 19:28:40 +0000

Governor Cooper Announces 22 Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 144 New Jobs and over $83 Million of Investment Patrice.Bethea Thu, 10/17/2024 - 15:28

Raleigh, N.C.

The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 22 grant requests to local governments totaling $8,401,717, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 557 jobs, 413 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $83.7 million in public and private investment.

“Investing in our rural communities through the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority's grants is not just about improving infrastructure; it's about empowering our residents, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable economic growth,” Governor Cooper said. “Together, we can build a brighter future for all North Carolinians, including those recovering from the damage of Hurricane Helene.”

The RIA is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.

“These grants are more than just vital tools for our rural communities,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “They enable us to enhance essential services, attract new businesses, and create jobs, ensuring that every corner of our state has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”

The RIA approved 10 grant requests under the state’s Building Reuse Program in two categories:

Vacant Building Category

Beaufort County: A $25,000 grant will support the reuse of a 4,344-square-foot building in Washington where Hometown Hall, a new full commercial kitchen offering a wide variety of catering options, plans to locate. The project is expected to create five jobs, with a private investment of $38,729 tied to this grant.
Davidson County: A $140,000 grant will support the reuse of a 62,042-square-foot building in Lexington. This building will be occupied by Strobel's Supply Inc., an industrial supply distribution and liquid paint application company. The project is set to create 18 jobs, with a private investment of $325,500 tied to this grant.
Graham County: A $25,000 grant will support the renovation of a 7,000-square-foot building in Robbinsville. This building is currently owned by Wrenchbox Inc., an investment property management corporation that specializes in transformational renovation of distressed properties. With this project, the company plans to transform the facility into a boutique motel, while creating an expected five jobs and investing $451,250.
Pitt County: A $500,000 grant will support the renovation of a 521,468-square-foot building in Greenville. At this facility, Boviet USA Property, LLC, a global solar technology company that specializes in the production of solar PV modules and solar project development, plans to locate its first North American solar panel manufacturing facility. The company expects to create 908 jobs and invest more than $294 million in the overall project, while 362 jobs and an investment of $34,004,000 are tied to this grant.
Richmond County: A $400,000 grant will support the reuse of a 105,000-square-foot building in Marston, where GP Portable Buildings LLC plans to locate a manufacturing facility. The company, also known as Graceland Properties, LLC, manufactures, sells, installs and finances portable buildings and sheds. The overall project is expected to create 51 jobs and attract a private investment of $7.4 million, with an investment of $7,157,480 tied to this grant.
Sampson County: A $180,000 grant will support the reuse of a 28,393-square-foot building. Phinite Inc., an ag robotics company that has developed a low-cost, low-energy drying system that enables the mining and manufacturing of fertilizer from manure, will create an additional commercial scale fertilizer manufacturing plant here. The project is expected to create 23 jobs, with an accompanying private investment of $1,325,680.
Swain County: A $50,000 grant will support the reuse of a 14,746-square-foot building in Bryson City, where Native American Brewing Company plans to locate its second full-service restaurant. The project is expected to create 10 jobs, with a private investment of $855,700 tied to this grant.

Existing Business Building Category

Cleveland County: A $100,000 grant will support the renovation of a 1,073,500-square-foot building in Shelby. Clearwater Paper Inc., a private label manufacturer for tissue products, will renovate the existing space to add an additional converting line for facial tissue. This project is expected to create 13 jobs and attract a private investment of $22,707,392.
Forsyth County: A $350,000 grant will support the renovation of a 162,000-square-foot building in Winston-Salem. This building is currently occupied by Foster-Caviness Company Inc., a wholesale produce distribution company that works with retailers, schools, chain restaurants, and prisons in the mid-Atlantic region. This project will allow the company to add a "ripening" room to their facility, creating an expected 58 jobs, with an accompanying private investment of $3.4 million.
Town of Wilkesboro (Wilkes County): An $85,000 grant will support the renovation of a 49,000-square-foot building in Wilkesboro, where Herbal Ingenuity, a botanical sourcing, international brokerage, and botanical ingredient manufacturer, will add an additional 10,000 square feet to their facility. The project is expected to create 10 jobs, with a private investment of $924,107 tied to this grant.

The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, as well as rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.

The RIA approved two requests under the state’s Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account program:

Town of Edenton (Chowan County): A $762,105 grant will enable the city to provide a redundant water supply to Peanut Drive Industrial Park, where a host of businesses are located. This project will increase water reliability, provide fire protection, and enable businesses to expand.
City of Mount Airy (Surry County): A $1,102,500 grant will help the City of Mount Airy provide infrastructure to Westwood Industrial Park. With businesses planning to build in the park, the City hopes the infrastructure improvements will attract even more employers to the area.

The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account provides grants to local governments located in the 80 most economically distressed counties of the state, which are classified as either Tier 1 or Tier 2. Funds may be used for publicly owned infrastructure projects that are reasonably expected to result in new job creation. The IDF – Utility Account is funded through a process tied to the state’s signature Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program. When JDIG-awarded companies choose to locate or expand in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 county, a portion of that JDIG award is channeled into the Utility Account.

The RIA approved 10 grant requests under the state’s new Rural Downtown Economic Development program:

Town of Elon (Alamance County): A $250,000 grant will aid the Town of Elon in improving the streetscape and flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic on N. Williamson Avenue and W. Lebanon Avenue. Streetscape improvements will include increasing the width of the sidewalks, improving ADA accessibility, and upgrading street lighting. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $1,750,000.
City of Conover (Catawba County): A $254,997 grant will help the City of Conover expand pedestrian access downtown. Streetscape improvements will include sidewalk creation, walkway improvements, and the addition of several ADA ramps. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $12,750.
Town of Pittsboro (Chatham County): An $850,000 grant will help the Pittsboro Downtown Streetscape Revitalization Project reconstruct brick sidewalks and make them ADA-compliant, while adding accessible ramps at all intersections. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $2,660,238.
Town of Boiling Springs (Cleveland County): An $850,000 grant will help the Town of Boiling Springs with intersection and courtyard improvements. The project will include the installation of new mast arm light poles, widening sidewalks, moving power poles and burying power lines. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $1,385,000.
Nash County: A $475,000 grant will aid Nash County's Senior Center with renovations, including the expansion of a billiards area, computer learning lab area, multipurpose space and fitness area. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $3,161,250.
Town of Hertford (Perquimans County): An $850,000 grant will help the Town of Hertford rehabilitate the Hertford State Theater by restoring the exterior façade, rebuilding the entry with a recessed entrance and ticket booth, and creating a new marquee and replaced masonry parapet. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $1,042,500.
Town of Liberty (Randolph County): A $154,551 grant will aid the Town of Liberty in its Downtown Streetscape Revitalization Project. The project will replace sidewalks, curbs and gutters, as well as improve drainage and landscaped areas. This project is expected to leverage an investment of $8,200.
City of Clinton (Sampson County): A $237,500 grant will help the City of Clinton transform an underutilized parking lot into a public event space. The project will include the installation of a covered stage with electrical pedestals and buried utilities, lighting and enhanced green space. This project is expected to leverage an investment of $1,732,704.
Washington County: A $468,209 grant will help Washington County's Courthouse provide infrastructure improvements to its elevators. The upgrades will ensure the courthouse can continue to serve its vital role and improve ADA accessibility. This project is expected to leverage an investment $23,410.
Town of Plymouth (Washington County): A $291,855 grant will aid the Town of Plymouth's streetscape project, including the addition of new street lights, brick sidewalks, tree pits, accessibility, and utility upgrades for streetscape power access. This project is expected to leverage an investment of $754,445.

The Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants program provides grants to local governments to support downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives that are intended to help local governments grow and leverage downtown districts as assets for economic growth, economic development, and prosperity by providing public improvements to help retain businesses and leverage main street assets for community-wide use.

In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development team. Its 17 voting members are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem. The North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serves as a member of the authority, ex officio.

Visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage for more information.

Oct 17, 2024

Lumber Company Selects Rutherford County for New Distribution Operations

colleen.brown — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:36:02 +0000

Lumber Company Selects Rutherford County for New Distribution Operations colleen.brown Mon, 10/14/2024 - 11:36

Raleigh, N.C.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Cedar Direct, LLC, a lumber
distributor, will create 20 new jobs in Rutherford County. The company will invest $925,000 to
locate a distribution and warehousing facility in the Town of Spindale.

“Cedar Direct is setting up operations in Rutherford County at a time where the spirit of
collaboration and resiliency is on full display,” said Governor Cooper. “This decision by Cedar
Direct provides new economic opportunities for a skilled and hardworking people.”

Cedar Direct distributes cedar and specialty lumber to wholesalers and suppliers. The company
supplies lumber yards, mills, supply houses, and contractors with high quality Western Red
cedar and other specialty building products. This site will be a third location for the company
offering boards, lumber, and timber in different sizes and edges and for various applications.

“We are happy to announce our third location in Spindale, North Carolina. A big reason we
chose this location is the collaborative efforts between Cedar Direct and The Economic
Development Partnership of North Carolina,” said Dale Hatfield, Manager of Cedar Direct. “The
progressive business stance the State has taken, along with the growing market of cedar, is really
what led us to choose North Carolina. Cedar Direct is extremely excited to be a part of Spindale
and serving the community.”

“Rutherford County has a storied history with manufacturing and industrial operations that will
be a great foundation for Cedar Direct’s next phase of growth,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary
Machelle Baker Sanders. “This history, combined with our convenient, East Coast location and
commitment to being ‘First in Talent’ will support the company for years to come.”

Although salaries will vary by position, the average annual wage will be $61,800, exceeding the
Rutherford County average of $45,030. These new jobs could potentially create an annual
payroll impact of more than $1.2 million for the region.

A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate
Cedar Direct’s expansion to North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to
local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no
money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for
payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any
award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“This investment is a great signal that the Town of Spindale is open for new business,” said N.C.
Senator Timothy D. Moffitt. “I appreciate all the diligent work of the state and local officials, as
well as the economic developers that helped bring Cedar Direct to our community.”

“This announcement is great news for Rutherford County,” said N.C. Representative Jake
Johnson. “In light of the devastation left by the storms, it is more important now than ever to
expand economic opportunities in our region and these good paying jobs will help do just that.”

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development
Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina
General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, North Carolina Community
College System, Isothermal Community College, Rutherford County, and the Town of Spindale.

Oct 14, 2024

Third Quarter Unemployment Wage and Filing Deadline Extended to Businesses in 27 Helene-Impacted Counties and Tribal Area

Patrice.Bethea — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:58:22 +0000

Third Quarter Unemployment Wage and Filing Deadline Extended to Businesses in 27 Helene-Impacted Counties and Tribal Area Patrice.Bethea Fri, 10/11/2024 - 13:58

Raleigh, N.C.

To aid businesses as they continue the recovery process following Hurricane Helene, the Division of Employment Security (DES) has extended the deadline for businesses in the 27 counties and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina area to meet their third quarter wage filing requirements.

The new deadline for these disaster-impacted businesses to complete their third quarter wage filing requirements is December 31, 2024.

The 27 counties are: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Additional counties may be added to the list of federally declared disaster areas at a later date.

Businesses in non-disaster-declared counties have until October 31, 2024, to meet their third quarter wage filing requirements.

The North Carolina State Unemployment Insurance Tax System, or NCSUITS, allows employers to file their quarterly wage and tax report as well as make payments online. Employers must have a NCSUITS account to access the system and file electronically online.

For more information, go to either des.nc.gov/dua or des.nc.gov/ncsuits.

Oct 11, 2024