Category: Business

As part of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s ongoing program to market the state to aviation and aerospace decision makers, the Department is leading the state’s presence this week at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France. The Paris Air Show is known as the world’s largest aerospace trade show, and more than 151,000 aerospace executives representing global aerospace and defense manufacturers are expected to attend. Lt. Governor Dan Forest and Commerce officials have already held several high-level meetings …

RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft system production, is pursuing a major advanced manufacturing expansion at four facilities in North Carolina.  The project would create 242 new jobs and bring a capital investment of $195 million over the next five years.   GE Aviation would produce engine components made of advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials at a new facility located next …

The N.C. Main Street Center has announced plans for a new community selection round. Pre-application workshops have been scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon in Morganton on June 26 and Clayton on June 27. Workshop attendance is mandatory for representatives from any community planning to submit a Main Street application in 2013, and participants must register for the workshop of their choice by June 21. N.C. Main Street is a program of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Urban Development, which …

The Leisure and Hospitality Services sector is leading the state in total non-farm industry employment growth in North Carolina, according to recent data from the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division. Total North Carolina non-farm employment (seasonally adjusted) increased 0.2 percent from March to April and 1.8 percent from April 2012 to April 2013. Since April 2012, Leisure and Hospitality Services has added the largest number of jobs (23,700; 5.7 percent), followed by Professional and Business Services …

Lenovo, the world’s second-largest PC vendor, hosted a grand opening ceremony on June 5 in Whitsett. The event was attended by Governor Pat McCrory and other prominent local dignitaries. This North Carolina location is the company’s first personal computer production facility to be located in the United States. With the return of PC manufacturing to the U.S., the company is adding 115 new manufacturing jobs in North Carolina and is on track to fully ramp up production by the end …

Governor Pat McCrory announced on June 4 that he has proclaimed June as Solar Energy Month in North Carolina, stressing the role the growing industry is playing in creating jobs and helping make our state and nation energy independent. “North Carolina is home to one of the fastest growing solar industries in our nation,” said McCrory. “It is important that we recognize the impact the solar industry is making in our state, not only in terms of being another valuable …

N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker spoke to the House Commerce Committee on May 29 and presented a detailed plan for the new public-private partnership that will assume the leadership and accountability for North Carolina’s economic development initiatives. House Bill 630 is the enabling legislation for the creation of the partnership. The objective of the N.C. Economic Development Partnership is to be more nimble and proactive, and able to leverage private funds with public dollars, move at the speed of business …

Mount Airy recently was redesignated as an active Main Street community, part of the national Main Street Program that is administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Urban Development. “The North Carolina Main Street Center staff is looking forward to working with the Mount Airy leadership to help them develop a comprehensive Main Street program that will improve the commercial district and attract increased foot traffic to downtown,” said Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham. Mount Airy …

Art-Force Incorporated, a non-profit tax exempt organization based in Chapel Hill, stimulates and diversifies economic development in distressed communities by allying artists, artisans and designers with entrepreneurs, small businesses, educational institutions, and local agencies. Through cross-currents of artistic design and production, Art-Force reaffirms connection to place – creating new products, jobs and transforming community. Skilled in the implementation of these imaginative partnerships, Art-Force is helping to reinvigorate downtowns through the infusion of a creatively-minded workforce and the expansion of local …

RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Evalueserve, a global company that provides custom professional research and analytics services to clients around the world, will establish a U.S. Center in Wake County. The company plans to create 400 new jobs in North Carolina by the end of 2017 and invest more than $5.9 million in its Wake County location. “Evalueserve has found a perfect fit for its Center of Excellence right here in …

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013, Dataforge (That’s us!) was presented the award for the Small Business Of The Year for 2012 by the Henderson – Vance County Chamber of Commerce in a ceremony also featuring award winners from Franklin, Granville and Warren Counties at the Henderson County Club.  The speaker for the event was Dr. Stelfanie Williams, President of the Vance-Granville Community College. Other award winners were:  Franklin County:  First Citizens Bank of Franklin County Granville County:  Creedmoor Drug Company Warren …

The Small Business Taxpayer Recovery Program — a joint effort of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Commissioner for Small Business and the N.C. Department of Revenue — is winding down, but it continues to have a significant impact on North Carolina’s small businesses. More than 3,000 firms have been accepted into the program by the Department of Revenue and $126 million has been collected: $58 million in delinquent taxes and $68 million in current taxes. Businesses will save almost $18 …

With the expansion of its North American headquarters in Research Triangle Park, Bayer CropScience continues to develop sustainable solutions for farmers around the world as well as for the communities where we live, work and play. The crop protection company celebrated the opening of its new Development North America facilities and laboratories earlier this month. These facilities boast 40,000 square feet of space in which nearly 70 scientists will conduct crop protection and environmental science research, including pest and turf …

Monday (May 20), Governor Pat McCrory and John Keppler, the Chairman and CEO of biomass energy firm Enviva celebrated the grand opening of the company’s newest wood pellet production facility in Northampton County. The facility, with the capacity to produce 500,000 metric tons of material a year, will have a significant economic impact in the region and employs 79 full time workers. “Global demand for biomass energy is projected to increase substantially over the next decade,” said Mr. Keppler. “Our …

RALEIGH —  Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Cape Fear Arsenal Inc. will locate a new manufacturing facility in Robeson County.  The company plans to create 150 jobs and invest more than $15.2 million over the next three years in Lumberton. “Our state has a strong manufacturing legacy,” said Governor McCrory. “This new facility advances that legacy with an innovative process that will result in much-needed, well-paying jobs for workers in Robeson County.” Cape Fear …