AGP Executive Report

Consumer Protection: North Carolina joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging the chain repeatedly charged shoppers more at checkout than advertised. Manufacturing: US Conec plans a $149 million Hickory expansion, with a $500,000 state grant; Corning is also planning a major Wilmington expansion with Cape Fear Community College helping build its hiring pipeline. Sealy, meanwhile, plans to close its North Carolina mattress production, cutting 114 jobs. Energy & Infrastructure: Siemens unveiled a microgrid at its Wendell manufacturing campus. A new owner of the Helene-damaged Tuxedo hydroelectric project hopes to restore the dam by next summer and resume power generation within two years. N.C. 12 remains closed after storm damage, with emergency ferries serving Hatteras Island. Agriculture: Drought is affecting eastern North Carolina’s fall harvest, while the State Fair reported strong attendance and a record livestock sale.

Manufacturing: Edgecombe Furniture plans a nearly $4 million Greenville expansion, adding 56,260 square feet and at least 10 jobs. In Conover, snack maker FTGU plans to close its plant Dec. 18, eliminating 93 jobs. Automation & Logistics: GXO and Agility Robotics plan to deploy Digit humanoid robots at a Statesville facility in early 2027, expanding their commercial partnership. Major Investments: Corvid Technologies plans a $95 million Mooresville expansion expected to add 423 jobs, while US Conec is investing $149 million in a new Hickory manufacturing facility. Local Business: Greensboro’s 100th GHOE celebration is projected to generate $57 million, with hotels, restaurants and retailers among the biggest beneficiaries. Nussbaum Center-supported businesses are on pace for $67 million in 2026 revenue. Textiles: Registration is open for the 2027 Textiles Recycling Expo USA, returning to Charlotte in April with a new co-located manufacturing expo.

Power and Data Centers: Charlotte’s AI boom is raising questions about who pays for Duke Energy upgrades, while Walmart is challenging a utility deal with tech companies. Manufacturing Investment: Corvid Technologies plans a $95 million Mooresville expansion expected to add 423 jobs. US Conec also announced a $149 million expansion, and a North Carolina quartz plant could receive up to $56 million in federal CHIPS funding. Coastal Infrastructure: Storm damage has closed part of N.C. 12, prompting emergency ferry service as officials assess repairs to the vital Outer Banks route. Agriculture: Drought is affecting Eastern North Carolina’s fall harvest, with the latest monitor showing no drought-free counties in the state.

Manufacturing Investment: North Carolina’s industrial expansion is gathering pace. Sibelco plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in semiconductor manufacturing, Corning is expanding in Wilmington with Cape Fear Community College helping build its hiring pipeline, and US Conec’s $149 million Catawba County expansion is set to add 224 jobs. Corvid Technologies also plans a $95 million Mooresville expansion and 423 jobs. Power Costs: Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase is sharpening questions about who pays for grid upgrades as data centers drive demand. Walmart is challenging Duke’s deal with major technology companies over electricity rates, while a statewide survey finds broad support for clean energy when communities have a say. Coastal Transport: Storm damage to NC 12 prompted a state emergency declaration and emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe, disrupting a key Outer Banks route. Agriculture: Governor Stein used the State Fair to spotlight North Carolina agriculture, while farm families continue to rely on tobacco even as it loses ground as the state’s top crop.

Manufacturing Investment: US Conec plans to invest $149 million in a new Hickory facility, while Corning is planning a major Wilmington expansion with Cape Fear Community College helping build its hiring pipeline. Sibelco also announced a major North Carolina investment to support semiconductor production. Eastern NC Industry: The Whiskey Project Group has opened its North American manufacturing facility in Edenton. Coastal Access: Damage has closed N.C. 12, with emergency ferry service operating as recovery work continues—an urgent hit to island communities and tourism. Agriculture: Gov. Josh Stein used a State Fair visit to highlight North Carolina’s agricultural industry.

Manufacturing: Australia’s Whiskey Project Group has opened its 60,000-square-foot Edenton marine manufacturing hub, expected to create 30 jobs and produce vessels for military, commercial and recreational customers. Corning is also planning a major Wilmington expansion, with Cape Fear Community College helping build its hiring pipeline. Semiconductors: US Conec plans to invest $149 million in a Hickory manufacturing facility, while federal support and Sibelco’s planned investment are adding momentum to North Carolina’s chip-supply chain. Infrastructure: More than $873 million in federal funding is headed to Western North Carolina for Helene road repairs; the state also secured over $20 million for rail improvements. Storm damage has again closed parts of N.C. 12, underscoring the Outer Banks’ costly transportation challenge. Energy: A defense-backed microreactor cleared a federal safety checkpoint, advancing plans for testing and potential Army deployment at Fort Bragg. Agriculture: The State Fair put North Carolina farming in the spotlight as drought conditions persist across much of the state.

Transportation: Asheville Regional Airport marked the final structural milestone on its new terminal, a major step in a project aimed at expanding service for Western North Carolina. On the coast, storms damaged N.C. 12 and cut off parts of the Outer Banks; Gov. Josh Stein declared an emergency and sought federal repair aid. Manufacturing: US Conec plans to invest $149 million in a Hickory facility, while Sibelco could receive up to $56 million in federal CHIPS funding for its North Carolina quartz plant. A separate $1.5 billion Pentagon investment was announced for state chip production. Disaster Recovery: FEMA awarded North Carolina more than $101 million for 50 Helene recovery projects, as additional federal funding targets road repairs in Western North Carolina. Agriculture: Drought is weighing on the fall harvest in eastern North Carolina, with the latest monitor showing no drought-free counties in the region.

Advanced Materials: Sibelco signed a preliminary agreement for up to $56 million in federal CHIPS funding for its North Carolina quartz plant, strengthening a key materials link in the semiconductor supply chain. Manufacturing: Gov. Josh Stein announced a $149 million US Conec expansion, while projects in Catawba County and Edenton are set to add hundreds of jobs and advanced manufacturing capacity. Energy: NC Electric Membership Corp. has filed to expand Anson Power Plant by 860 megawatts to serve growing demand among 21 electric cooperatives; public and regulatory reviews are next. Agriculture: Drought is affecting eastern North Carolina’s fall harvest, with no counties in the region currently drought-free. North Carolina also has 7.6 million hogs, even as the U.S. herd tightens year over year. Infrastructure: More than $873 million in federal funding is headed to western North Carolina for Helene-damaged roads. Back-to-back coastal storms have also damaged N.C. 12, disrupting Outer Banks access and ferry service.

Coastal Infrastructure: Gov. Josh Stein declared an emergency after storms damaged N.C. 12 again, closing part of the Outer Banks highway and prompting emergency ferry service. Manufacturing Investment: A Catawba County expansion is expected to create hundreds of jobs, and Stein announced a $149 million expansion for US Cone. Defense and Technology: The Pentagon plans to invest $1.5 billion in North Carolina chip production; a new Edenton facility will add advanced manufacturing jobs for military watercraft. Agriculture: Drought continues to hurt eastern North Carolina farmers, with some reporting poor pumpkin yields and no drought-free counties statewide. Retail and Travel: Buc-ee’s is planning a second North Carolina travel center. Its proposed Rocky Mount site could bring about 200 permanent jobs and $30 million in annual taxable sales.

Manufacturing & Technology: Hickory-based US Conec will invest $149.7 million in a new 200,000-square-foot facility, adding 224 jobs. In Edenton, a military boatbuilder has opened a new facility and plans 200 jobs. North Carolina’s semiconductor push is also gaining ground, with Sibelco planning a major investment and the Pentagon announcing $1.5 billion for chip production. Motorsports Manufacturing: GM says its Charlotte Formula 1 engine factory will open Dec. 18, a step toward building Cadillac’s power unit for the 2029 season. Coastal Infrastructure: Repeated storm damage has again closed parts of N.C. 12. The road serves roughly 4,000 island residents and supports Outer Banks tourism estimated to bring $1 billion a year to the state.

Manufacturing: Whiskey Project Group opened its North American facility in Edenton, while a military boatbuilder opened a Chowan County site and plans 200 jobs. Life Sciences: Pfizer layoffs at its North Carolina facilities have left workers and local leaders seeking answers. Semiconductors: President Trump says the Pentagon will invest $1.5 billion in North Carolina chip production. Separately, Sibelco has not confirmed a reported quartz-processing plant, leaving Mitchell County leaders waiting for details. Workforce: North Carolina’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in September. Transportation: Storm damage has closed part of N.C. 12 on Pea Island, prompting emergency ferry service between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point as repairs continue.

Advanced Manufacturing: President Trump announced a $1.5 billion Pentagon investment in North Carolina semiconductor production and a Sibelco plant to make quartz, a chipmaking material, though details remain limited. Coastal Jobs: The Whiskey Project Group opened a 60,000-square-foot Chowan County boatbuilding facility and expects to create about 200 jobs. Workforce: North Carolina’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in September, but manufacturing employment dropped by 1,100 jobs. Plant Closure: Reidsville’s Pella plant will close, eliminating 133 jobs. Infrastructure: The state is set to receive $873 million for Helene-related road repairs and $550 million for a Raleigh-to-Richmond passenger rail project. Energy: North Carolina launched a data-driven program to expand EV charging.

Semiconductors: Sibelco plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a North Carolina quartz-manufacturing facility, while Wolfspeed has a $1.5 billion conditional federal financing commitment for chip production in Durham. Infrastructure: Western North Carolina will receive $873 million for Hurricane Helene road repairs. Jobs: Amazon is hiring more than 1,500 seasonal workers for its new Wilmington-area fulfillment center and delivery station. Manufacturing: Pella will close its Reidsville plant, eliminating 133 jobs; meanwhile, The Whiskey Project Group has opened a North American manufacturing facility in Edenton. Workforce Development: Robeson Community College has broken ground on a 27,450-square-foot building for welding, HVAC and mechatronics training.

Disaster Recovery: North Carolina will receive $873 million in federal aid for roads, bridges and other transportation repairs after Helene damaged more than 9,000 sites across western NC. Manufacturing: Mocksville-based Renaissance Fiber secured $2.24 million to scale up hemp-fiber production, while Pella plans to close its Reidsville plant, eliminating 133 jobs. Jobs and Investment: Amazon plans to hire more than 1,500 seasonal workers in Wilmington, and Caterpillar is investing $10 million in North Carolina’s manufacturing workforce. Energy and Technology: NC State researchers tested a megawatt-scale solid-state transformer on a live grid, a development with potential relevance as data centers drive up electricity demand. Transportation: The state also secured $550 million in federal funding for the Raleigh-to-Richmond S-Line passenger rail project.

Rail Investment: North Carolina will receive more than $20 million in federal rail grants, including $19.9 million for track, bridge and crossing upgrades in Montgomery and Stanly counties. Greensboro gets $100,000 for rail-corridor patrols. Workforce and Manufacturing: Blue Ridge Community College plans to launch a 16-to-18-week agricultural equipment technician program in 2027, responding to employer demand. Caterpillar is investing $10 million in North Carolina workforce training, while QT Corporation plans manufacturing operations in Goldsboro. Jobs and Industry: Pella’s Reidsville plant is closing, putting 133 jobs at risk; a utility company expansion in Catawba County is projected to create more than 100 jobs. Energy and Development: Fayetteville leaders delayed a decision on a proposed data-center moratorium and scheduled another hearing, as residents raise concerns about water use, noise and power.**

Life Sciences: Research Triangle Park-based United Therapeutics received FDA clearance to begin a Phase 2 trial of an inhaled treatment for patients with pulmonary hypertension linked to COPD. Coastal Agriculture: Seashore Oyster Co., founded by a North Carolina mother and son, is growing its Crystal Coast business, with a goal of selling 1 million oysters by 2030. Banking: Newton-based Peoples Bancorp reported third-quarter earnings of $5.7 million, up from $3.7 million a year earlier, as loans and deposits grew. Auto Retail: Capital Automotive Group acquired six dealerships from Larry Cloninger, including five in North Carolina, and a Salisbury collision center. Housing: Triangle home sales fell 5.6% in September, with new-home closings down 16.4% while resale sales held steady. Freight & Manufacturing: Daimler Truck Financial Services brought about 350 U.S. employees together at its new Charlotte headquarters; Motive also unveiled fleet-management AI tools at a trucking industry event in the city. Infrastructure & Jobs: North Carolina secured $550 million for its Raleigh-to-Richmond S-Line rail project. Gov. Josh Stein also announced $504 million in rural investment expected to create 78 jobs, while Caterpillar pledged $10 million for workforce training.