economic development
Downtown Mooresville to host 2025 NC Main Street conference
Feb. 6. Downtown Mooresville will host the 2025 North Carolina Main Street Conference. The three-day conference—March 11-13—is organized by the NC Department of Commerce and the NC Main Street and Rural Planning Center. It is the largest statewide downtown revitalization conference in the country. Mooresville joined the NC Main Street effort in 1988. Since the […]
Economic development: 2024 was a good year
Jan. 22. The State of North Carolina announced 16,956 new jobs last year, representing 218 business recruitment projects. The NC Department of Commerce says they’re worth $15.2 billion in new capital investment. The 2024 performance tops 2023’s announcements of 14,114 jobs and $12.9 billion of capital investment. The North Carolina Department of Commerce serves as […]
Amgen will invest additional $1 billion in NC, adding 370 jobs
Dec. 5. Amgen Inc., the biotech giant, will expand its biologics manufacturing operation in Holly Springs, creating 370 jobs. The company intends to invest $1 billion in Wake County. This brings the company’s total planned investment in Holly Springs to more than $1.5 billion, building on its previously announced $550 million commitment. Quotable —“North Carolina […]
Ice company manufacturing facility recruited to NC
Nov. 13. A manufacturer of specialty ice products will invest a cool $14.7 million in a new manufacturing facility in Forest City. Abstract Ice makes a variety of crystal-clear, slow-melting ice products that add panache to craft cocktails while lessening dilution. The new facility will create 26 new jobs. Primarily serving bars, grocery stores and […]
Good news: J&J will invest $2 billion in new Wilson, NC operation
Oct. 2. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will create 420 jobs in Wilson County with a $2 billion investment in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus for innovative biologics in the City of Wilson. With expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, Johnson & Johnson is uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today […]
Mecklenburg County scores big in tourism spending statewide
Aug. 21. North Carolina visitor spending broke records in 2023, according to data released by the NC Department of Commerce. Travel spending statewide rose 6.9 percent to $35.6 billion in 2023 to set a record in visitor spending. That growth followed a record-breaking increase of 15 percent in 2022. Direct tourism employment also increased statewide […]
Homegrown Nucor will build $20 million fabrication facility
June 26. Nucor Rebar Fabrication, a division of the largest steelmaker in America, will invest more than $20 million in a new rebar fabrication facility in Davidson County. The construction services company fabricates, installs, and distributes rebar to a variety of infrastructure and building projects. The new rebar fabrication facility in Lexington will be adjacent […]
New statewide office will support music industry
June 24. A new statewide office to promote and celebrate North Carolina music, musicians and the music industry is being established within the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The new North Carolina Music Office will facilitate a multitude of music-based programming and investments across the state; enhance economic development spurred by creative economies; […]
Economic development agency on ‘strategic pause,’ executive director is out
June 21. Ryan McDaniels is out as the head of the Lake Norman Economic Development Corp. (LNEDC) after 11 years at the helm of the regional business retention and recruitment organization. He could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, the LNEDC will undertake a “strategic reevaluation” under the direction of its board which includes elected […]
Lithium battery company will bring 500+ jobs to Denver
May 4. Green New Energy Materials, a manufacturer of a key component used in lithium-ion batteries, will open a $140 million plant in Denver, creating 545 jobs. GNEM partners with LG, Samsung, SKI, AESC and Northvolt on battery separator products that are used in electric vehicles, energy storage and electric tools. Jay Zhu, general manager […]
