Record visitor spending in 2018 was reflected with visitor spending increases in all 100 counties. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Domestic visitors spent a record $25.3 billion statewide in 2018, an increase of 5.6 percent from 2017. State…

Xerox, a Fortune 500 technology company, will build a new Center of Excellence in Cary, creating 600 jobs. The company will invest $18.4 million in Wake County. “Xerox, which had many locations to choose from, selected North Carolina because they know we can offer the highly-skilled workers they need, both now and in the future,”…

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…

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…

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s is locating a new $153-million global technology center in Charlotte, North Carolina, creating more than 1,600 jobs. “We’re excited to stand up our new global technology center here in North Carolina to continue to drive our company’s growth,” said Marvin R. Ellison, president and chief executive officer of the company based…

Outdoor furniture manufacturer POLYWOOD and North Carolina’s economic development team recently received an award recognizing corporate expansion projects across the U.S. expected to have a profound positive effect in their local communities. POLYWOOD, which makes furniture out of recycled plastics, received a 2019 Corporate Investment & Community Impact (CiCi) Award from Trade & Industry Development…