North Carolina tourism generated record visitor spending in 2018 with a total of $25.3 billion. The 5.6 percent increase from 2017 was North Carolina’s largest percentage growth in travel and tourism spending since 2011. Additionally, tourism industry-supported employment topped 230,000 jobs to set another record for the state. “Tourism is a major economic engine for…

North Carolina ranks No. 4 in the nation among the top-performing states in Chief Executive magazine’s 2019 Best and Worst States for Business survey. Chief Executive surveyed CEOs across the country about their opinions of all 50 states for the 2019 report. The results were released today. In its coverage of the award, the magazine…

For the second year in a row, North Carolina holds the No. 1 spot on Forbes magazine’s Best States for Business ranking. North Carolina has been the only state to place among the magazine’s top five states for business overall every year since 2006, when Forbes began ranking all 50 states. In an article announcing the…

Look no further than Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina, for the only course in the country to play Softgolf, featuring oversized foam balls and the larger holes and golf-club heads to match them. This full-swing game, which opened in March as a vendor at the Forsyth County-owned park near Winston-Salem, lets everyone, regardless of…

Pfizer is investing an additional $500 million in constructing a gene-therapy manufacturing facility at its operations in Sanford, North Carolina, adding about 300 new jobs in the process, according to a company press release. Pfizer currently employs 650 people in Sanford. The new facility will support Pfizer’s continuing investment in gene therapy research and development,…

Hockmeyer Equipment Corporation, a process equipment maker, will create 90 new jobs as it launches a $6 million expansion of operations in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Gov. Roy Cooper said Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County “are doing the right things to attract businesses.” “Local effort to create a great place to live and welcome talented…

There aren’t many billboard ads in rural Mitchell County, nestled in the High Country of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. So the one raised this summer in the small town and county seat of Bakersville gets noticed. The group of Mitchell County high school students pictured on the billboard tell passing motorists “something big” is…

Telephonics Corporation, a communications system company, will create 75 jobs as it expands its operations in Pasquotank County in North Carolina. The company will invest $5.5 million in a new facility, located in Elizabeth City. Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but the average annual wage will be $64,768. The county’s average…

Local economic developers and civic leaders from counties across North Carolina will be gathering Oct. 8-9 in Sanford to discuss promising strategies to support, retain and grow the local workforces of rural communities. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is presenting the 2019 Energizing Rural North Carolina conference in partnership with the North…

Leading drug maker Merck will invest more than $650 million and create more than 400 jobs in North Carolina, building a new production facility at its current manufacturing site in Durham and expanding its packaging operations in Wilson. The major expansion will enable Merck to meet growing demand for Gardasil and Gardasil 9 recombinant human…

North Carolina is the top-ranked state for economic growth potential in Business Facilities magazine’s 15th Annual Rankings Report. North Carolina, Colorado and Virginia topped the chart in Business Facilities’ annual growth potential ranking. Jack Rogers, editor in chief, noted that all three states have established highly diversified growth strategies and staked a claim to leadership in…

Black’s Tire Service, Inc, a tire distributor and service company, will create 26 jobs in a $2.7 million expansion of its distribution center in Whiteville, North Carolina. “The Black’s Tire Service decision to expand its operations in rural North Carolina speaks to the power of the state’s workforce, strong economy and great quality of life,”…

CARY, N.C. – North Carolina has a new point person focused on making sure the state is a top contender for defense-related companies considering where to locate or expand. With more than 40 years of experience as a military and defense industry specialist, Dennis Lewis joined the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) in…

ABB, Inc., a global leader in electrification products, robotics, and industrial automation, will expand its current facility in Mebane, North Carolina, creating more than 400 jobs in Orange County and investing up to $39.9 million to upgrade equipment and increase the size of its plant. Although wages will vary depending on position, the average salary…

North Carolina has jumped six spots to No. 3 on CNBC’s 2019 ranking of America’s Top States for Business released today. “Our rise on this well-regarded business ranking is a strong indicator of North Carolina’s immediate and long-term promise for businesses, their employees and their families,” said Christopher Chung, chief executive officer of the Economic…