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Category Archives: News

Governor Stein Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week at Davidson-Davie Community College

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Governor Stein visited Davidson-Davie Community College for National Apprenticeship Week and celebrated the college’s work to train North Carolina’s nursing workforce.

“Apprenticeships unlock doors of opportunity for the next generation, help employers develop homegrown talent, and support our state’s workforce needs,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This National Apprenticeship Week, we are doubling down on our commitment to student success and proving that opportunity is built right here in North Carolina. No state will outwork North Carolina when it comes to developing our workforce.”

“Here at Davidson-Davie Community College, we have been fortunate to see first-hand how apprenticeships benefit not just the student but also the employer,” said Jenny Varner, Davidson-Davie Community College president. “That’s our job as community colleges — to educate our students while meeting local and regional workforce needs to build stronger economies and stronger communities. And not just in advanced manufacturing and related fields, but also in healthcare — our healthcare apprenticeships have been cutting-edge and show great promise for helping address critical worker shortages.”

https://www.commerce.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/04/29/governor-stein-celebrates-national-apprenticeship-week-davidson-davie-community-college

Team LaunchPoint Begins in High Point; Invests $300,000, Creates 40 Jobs

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A new venture capital firm and startup accelerator, Team LaunchPoint, will be established in High Point to create a hub for business development and job growth. The project will redevelop a 15,000-square-foot office building at 1321 Long Street into a multi-tenant facility for the parent venture firm and its startup companies, with two newly incorporated startups expected as initial tenants. The investment includes more than $300,000 in building improvements, and the project is expected to create approximately 40 jobs over five years.

“I’m proud to continue investing in High Point, and to support the momentum of our city. Team LaunchPoint is designed to create, develop, and scale high-growth businesses, and we will be doing it right here in High Point”, said Drew Haire, Founder of Team LaunchPoint. “Once established, this project will build a brand for High Point as a high-growth start-up launch point. I am grateful for the City’s partnership in supporting this ambitious project.”

https://www.highpointnc.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/5361

Travel + Leisure: This Scenic Amtrak Route Doubles as a Giant Troll Scavenger Hunt

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Seven giant trolls have taken up residence across North Carolina. Typically tucked into parks and natural settings, the trolls are spread across Charlotte, High Point, and Raleigh. They’re the work of Danish artist Thomas Dambo, known for his larger-than-life trolls crafted from recycled materials and assembled with the help of local volunteers. Travel + Leisure explains that Amtrak’s 170-mile Piedmont route between Charlotte and Raleigh offers a scenic way to hunt for all of them.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/amtrak-route-see-giant-trolls-north-carolina-11944505

TSEA Energy Selects Eden; Creates 160 Jobs, Invests $25 Million

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TSEA Energy, a manufacturer of energy equipment, will establish its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Rockingham County. The company says it will create 160 jobs and invest $25 million in Eden.

The company has been delivering engineered solutions for power generation, transmission, and distribution systems since 1968. Specialized in large power transformers, voltage regulators and mobile substations, TSEA Energy, is recognized for its engineering expertise, with products in operation in more than 50 countries.

TSEA will manufacture its voltage regulators, equipment that supports grid stability, power quality, and system reliability, at a 160,000-square-foot facility in Eden, serving utilities across the United States. The facility is expected to double TSEA’s global manufacturing capacity and will also include an engineering and R&D center, as well as a service center.

While wages vary by position, the annual average salary for the new positions will be $66,554, exceeding Rockingham County’s average of $46,154. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $7 million for the region.

https://www.rockinghamcountync.gov/news/6539/governor-stein-announces-brazilian-energy-company-selects-rockingham-county-for-its-first-us-manuf

Reynolds American Commits $3.2 Billion to U.S. Operations; Supports 2,000 Jobs

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Reynolds American has announced a forward-looking commitment to invest more than $3.2 billion across its U.S. operations by 2030, reinforcing its long-term focus on value creation and American manufacturing. The investment, which began in 2024, is expected to support more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs across the company’s operations and U.S. supply network, including roles tied to recent manufacturing expansion and innovation initiatives.

The announcement marks the launch of “Growing Tomorrow,” a campaign focused on driving business performance and delivering sustainable returns while transitioning the organization toward a predominantly smokeless future. A central component of this strategy involves modernizing and expanding research and manufacturing hubs in Winston-Salem, where the company invests approximately $100 million annually in R&D and employs hundreds of scientists.

“Growing Tomorrow reflects the investments we’re making today in American manufacturing and jobs,” said David Waterfield, President and CEO of Reynolds American Inc. “By expanding manufacturing capabilities and strengthening our workforce, we’re building on more than 150 years of investment in the U.S. economy to ensure our competitiveness for the future.”

Reynolds American employs more than 4,300 people across the U.S. in roles spanning advanced manufacturing, engineering, and science. The company remains a cornerstone of the North Carolina agricultural ecosystem; in 2025, it was the largest purchaser of U.S. tobacco leaf from American farmers.

Growing Tomorrow: Reynolds American Commits to Invest $3.2 Billion by 2030 to Grow U.S. Manufacturing and Innovation