RALEIGH – North Carolina economic developers head into 2023 under a full head of steam, having secured commitments for a record number of new jobs and industrial investment in 2022.

So confirms a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Commerce to WRAL TechWire.

While the data remains incomplete, Commerce can say the number is “north of 28,300,” which Governor Roy Cooper’s office previously disclosed.

“Yes, 2022 was without a doubt a record year for announced jobs and investment from companies locating or expanding in North Carolina, far surpassing the 24,224 jobs and $10.1 billion of capital investment from the previous year,” Commerce Communications Director David Rhoades says.

“Our final tally will be north of the 28,300 mentioned in the Governor’s press release last week.”

NC business recruiters aim for record 100k jobs, $112B in investment for 2023

Numbers from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, which often works with Commerce on jobs and industrial expansions, show:
  • Projects won – 148
  • Capital investment – $15.55 billion
  • Jobs created – 26,940
The overall state number will be higher than that total since EDPNC notes it was not involved in all successful recruitments, such as the Toyota battery plant.
Rhoades says he expects final Commerce data will be released by the end of the week.

More initiatives

Commerce has other tools to fuel growth, Rhoades points out.

“Also worth noting is the fact that Commerce has awarded grants to rural communities across North Carolina totaling $104.6 million in 2022 to support infrastructure development, transformative economic development projects, and community (workforce) housing projects,” he says.