North Carolina, January 6, 2026
North Carolina begins the new year with positive economic developments, including recognition as the leading state for Workforce Development in 2026. Governor Josh Stein celebrated 2025’s record job creation and investment achievements. The state’s economy is projected to outperform the national economy in key sectors such as healthcare, finance, and technology. However, ongoing budget issues could impact growth. Noteworthy corporate investments highlight a strong outlook despite challenges faced by some companies.
Charlotte, North Carolina – January 6, 2026
North Carolina commences 2026 with significant economic announcements and ongoing developments across the state. The region has been recognized as the national leader in Workforce Development for 2026 by Site Selection magazine, a distinction celebrated by Governor Josh Stein, who highlighted 2025 as a record year for job creation and substantial capital investments. Concurrently, Charlotte emerged as the top U.S. city for stock market returns in 2025, demonstrating robust corporate performance.
The state’s economic outlook for 2026 is largely optimistic, with projections indicating North Carolina is likely to modestly outperform the national economy, fueled by growth in key sectors such as healthcare, finance, and technology. However, this positive forecast is navigating a persistent budget stalemate at the state level and recent challenges faced by some companies.
Economic Performance and Forecast
North Carolina’s economy ended 2025 with steady momentum, marking its fifth consecutive year of sustained growth since the COVID-19 pandemic. Projections for 2026 anticipate a 3.0% increase in the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a 1.6% growth in employment. Forecasters expect the state to add 80,800 net jobs in the upcoming year, with all 14 nonagricultural sectors predicted to expand. The information, education and health services, and business and professional services sectors are expected to be primary drivers of this growth.
In terms of corporate performance, CommScope and Liquidia were identified as top-performing North Carolina stocks of 2025. For January 2026, the most valuable company in North Carolina is Bank of America (BAC), holding a market capitalization of $415.52 billion. It is followed by Lowe’s Companies (LOW) and Honeywell International (HON), showcasing the significant presence of major corporations within the state. Despite its overall stature, Lowe’s has recently drawn skepticism from analysts due to declining revenue and underperforming same-store sales.
Workforce Development and Infrastructure Initiatives
The recognition as the top state for workforce development for 2026 underscores North Carolina’s strategic focus on its labor force and related programs. Governor Stein reported that since January 2025, business expansions and new projects have resulted in over $24 billion in new capital investment and the creation of more than 35,000 new jobs. North Carolina currently possesses the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and a burgeoning clean energy economy, which employs over 100,000 residents.
Furthering its energy infrastructure, Duke Energy submitted an early site permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for new nuclear development in North Carolina on January 5, 2026. The proposed location is near the existing Belews Creek coal power station, with plans potentially including a 600-megawatt plant by 2037 and the introduction of the first small modular reactor (SMR) by 2036. This application represents a strategic move to reduce future licensing and construction delays for advanced nuclear generation.
Growth in the construction and infrastructure sectors is also evident with William Blair initiating research coverage of Cardinal Infrastructure Group Inc. (CDNL) on January 5, 2026. The company, which offers comprehensive infrastructure services across North Carolina, has achieved a 28% organic revenue growth over the past three years, navigating a challenging national residential real estate market.
Legislative Impasse and Business Challenges
On the legislative front, North Carolina faces continued challenges as the budget stalemate from 2025 persists into the new year. This impasse leaves unresolved key issues such as raises for teachers and state employees, further tax cuts, Medicaid funding, and financial support for a planned Duke Health and UNC Health children’s hospital in Apex. Governor Stein has urged the General Assembly to engage in negotiations, particularly regarding revenue triggers for future tax cuts, following the reduction of the state’s income tax rate to 3.99% on January 1, 2026.
In other business news, Believer Meats, an Israeli cultivated meat company, disclosed significant debt prior to its shutdown. A bankruptcy filing on January 6, 2026, revealed the company was nearly $225 million in debt, citing factors such as construction delays for its North Carolina factory, prolonged regulatory processes, and geopolitical tensions as contributing to its difficulties. The factory was completed in September 2025 but had not yet begun commissioning operations.
Broader Economic Landscape and Future Investments
Development activity remains strong throughout the state. Downtown Raleigh anticipates considerable growth in 2026, including an expansion of its convention center and the construction of a new Omni hotel. These projects are part of the broader expansion within the Triangle region, which continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas nationwide.
Additional corporate investments highlight ongoing job creation. In late 2025, Aspida Financial Services announced plans to create 1,000 jobs in Durham with an investment exceeding $28 million for its new headquarters. Similarly, Novartis is investing $771 million across Wake and Durham counties, expected to generate 380 jobs in life sciences manufacturing. Maersk also established Charlotte as its new North American headquarters, bringing 520 jobs and a $16 million investment.
The state’s healthcare infrastructure saw a boost with the opening of CaroMont Health’s $260 million, 54-bed hospital in Belmont on January 8, 2025. Retail expansion also continues, with Wawa planning to open 10 stores in North Carolina during 2026, building on eight openings in 2024 and 11 in 2025.
Overall, North Carolina’s economic landscape in early 2026 is characterized by robust growth and strong workforce development, underpinned by significant infrastructure and corporate investments. However, the ongoing state budget impasse and specific corporate challenges underscore areas requiring continued focus and strategic resolution to ensure sustained economic vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the latest major economic recognition for North Carolina?
- North Carolina has been named the top state for Workforce Development for 2026 by Site Selection magazine.
- Which North Carolina companies are currently the most valuable?
- The most valuable company in North Carolina for January 2026 is Bank of America (BAC) with a market capitalization of $415.52 billion, followed by Lowe’s Companies (LOW) and Honeywell International (HON).
- What is the economic growth projection for North Carolina in 2026?
- North Carolina’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to increase by 3.0% in 2026, with employment expected to grow by 1.6%.
- What is Duke Energy’s recent announcement regarding nuclear power?
- Duke Energy submitted an early site permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for new nuclear development in North Carolina on January 5, 2026, near its Belews Creek coal power station.
- What is the current status of North Carolina’s state budget?
- The new year has commenced with a continuation of the budget stalemate from 2025, leaving unresolved issues such as raises for teachers and state employees, further tax cuts, Medicaid funding, and the funding for a planned children’s hospital.
Key Economic Features of North Carolina (Early 2026)
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Development Ranking | Number 1 in the U.S. for 2026 by Site Selection magazine. | State-level |
| Top City for Stock Market Returns (2025) | Charlotte, North Carolina (median return of 21.1% for its 12 biggest companies). | City-level |
| Most Valuable Company (Jan 2026) | Bank of America (BAC) with a market cap of $415.52B. | State-level |
| Projected GDP Growth (2026) | 3.0% increase. | State-level |
| Projected Employment Growth (2026) | 1.6% growth (80,800 net jobs). | State-level |
| Key Growth Sectors (2026) | Healthcare, Finance, Technology, Information, Education and Health Services, Business and Professional Services. | State-level |
| New Nuclear Development | Duke Energy submitted early site permit application (Jan 5, 2026) near Belews Creek, planning for a 600-MW plant by 2037. | State-level |
| State Budget Status | Continuing stalemate from 2025 over tax cuts, raises, Medicaid, and children’s hospital funding. | State-level |
| Major Corporate Investments (Late 2025) | Aspida Financial Services: 1,000 jobs, $28M+ in Durham. Novartis: $771M, 380 jobs in Wake/Durham. Maersk: 520 jobs, $16M in Charlotte. |
State-level |
| Retail Expansion | Wawa plans 10 stores in North Carolina in 2026. | State-level |
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