Record visitor spending in 2017 was reflected with visitor spending increases in all 100 North Carolina counties, state Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland announced today. Visitor spending reached nearly $5.4 billion in Mecklenburg, $2.3 billion in Wake, $1.4 billion in Guilford and $1.1 in Buncombe and Dare counties. Rounding out the top 10 counties…

North Carolina has received Area Development magazine’s 2018 Gold Shovel Award, recognizing the state’s top-tier success in winning high-impact economic development projects in 2017. North Carolina, which in 2017 had one of its best years for  job recruitment in over a decade, is one of only five states to receive a 2018 Gold Shovel Award….

North Carolina once again ranks as the most competitive state in economic development activity, according to a closely watched annual business ranking by Site Selection magazine. “Businesses big and small, domestic and foreign are investing in North Carolina for the same reasons they have been doing so all along — a healthy supply of workers…

Six North Carolina companies received 2018 Governor’s Export Awards this week in a ceremony highlighting their success in increasing overseas sales, as well as the significant role exporting plays in the state’s economy. North Carolina’s export of goods and services helps support more than 400,000 jobs in the state, according to the Brookings Institution in…

Design Foundry will open a new furniture manufacturing facility in Catawba County, creating 202 new jobs over five years. The company plans to invest more than $3.1 million in the project. “North Carolina is the international home of the furniture industry with leading manufacturers, designers and events,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Our state’s experienced furniture…

LGM Enterprises, an aviation company that operates the Fly Exclusive jet charter service, will create 145 jobs and launch a company to paint and refurbish aircraft at the North Carolina Global TransPark. The project brings an investment of $10.5 million to Lenoir County. LGM Enterprises will add a variety of positions with this expansion, including…

A German group of specialized radiopharmaceutical companies has selected Hickory, North Carolina, for the first North American manufacturing plant of its subsidiary Isotopes Technologies Garching, creating 137 new well-paying jobs. The parent company Isotopen Technologien München AG (ITM), based in Garching near Munich, will invest $12 million in Catawba County. ITM develops, produces and supplies…

Shurtape Technologies, an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, will expand operations in Catawba County in North Carolina, creating 100 new jobs. The company will add these jobs over four years and invest $31.4 million in the project. “When our growth plans called for additional manufacturing and distribution…

Fortune 500 company Cognizant, a leading provider of information technology, consulting and business process services, will expand its operations in Charlotte, creating 300 jobs. Cognizant is one of the world’s foremost professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Cognizant is ranked 195 on the Fortune 500 and is…

AvidXchange, a leading provider of automated payments solutions for midsize companies, will expand its Charlotte, North Carolina, headquarters, creating 1,229 jobs and investing $41 million in Mecklenburg County. “North Carolina leads the nation in the IT and financial services industries,” Gov. Roy Cooper said. “North Carolina’s talented workforce helps companies like AvidXchange develop big ideas and…

Sonic Automotive will open a marketing resource and customer contact center in Gaston County, creating 500 jobs. The company, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, will make an $11.2 million investment in Lowell, North Carolina, to establish the center. Sonic Automotive will add a variety of…

Moog Inc., a worldwide designer, manufacturer and integrator of precision control components and systems, will expand its plant in Murphy, North Carolina., and create 20 jobs. The company plans to invest $1.8 million in Cherokee County. “Large manufacturers like Moog have many choices when selecting a business location,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “I’m pleased this…

AirBoss of America Corp. has selected Halifax County for an expansion of its current facility, adding 42 new jobs. The company plans to invest $5.2 million in Scotland Neck with the project. “Including today’s AirBoss announcement, Halifax County has attracted three manufacturing expansions in under a month,” Gov. Roy Cooper said. “The talent, infrastructure and…

Universal Preserv-A-Chem, Inc. (UPI) has selected Mebane, North Carolina, as the new location for its natural ingredients and chemical supply business, creating 39 jobs. The company plans to invest $17 million in the project. “We are very excited about making Mebane the new home for our state-of-the-art distribution center,” said Daniel Ravitz, president of UPI….

LendingTree, Inc., which operates the leading online loan marketplace, will expand its headquarters in Mecklenburg County, creating 436 new jobs by the end of 2023. “LendingTree has experienced incredible growth in recent years, and after a thorough process, we are excited to continue that growth in Charlotte with the addition of over 400 high-paying jobs,”…