@LeadNC

North Carolina's leading provider of labor market information and economic analysis. Division of @NCCommerce.

 North Carolina, USA
commerce.nc.gov/about-us/divisions-programs/labor-economic-analysis-division
Joined April 2012
  • Tweets1.7K
  • Following246
  • Followers1.1K
1.1KMedia
At today's LMI Tuesday, LEAD economists check in on Western North Carolina’s recovery, review the latest statewide employment numbers, and answer your questions about the economy. Join the session: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.

ALT Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.

1
2
59
Rapid advancements in generative AI are fueling a boom in US data center investment, which surpassed $75 billion (annualized) by mid-2026. But this buildout is straining the availability of key components and adding to price pressures in the economy: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
9
LEAD is at the NCWorks Partnership Conference! Stop by our table to learn more about what we do at LEAD.
2
2
52
Analysis of NCCCS graduates shows that programs such as Computer Integrated Machining and Industrial Systems Technology remain key pathways into the state’s evolving Manufacturing sector. Check out the full story for more information: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…

Which NCCCS Programs Have the Highest Employment in Manufacturing?

commerce.nc.gov
1
1
28
The LEAD team is excited for the NCWorks Partnership Conference this week! Visit our table to learn more about what we do at LEAD. See you there!
N.C. Commerce@NCCommerceOct 12
#Tomorrow: join workforce development professionals from across the state at the 2026 NCWorks Partnership Conference! There's still time to register to attend this high-value conference in Greensboro, on October 14-16: commerce.nc.gov/jobs-trainin…
2
58
How is Western North Carolina’s economy recovering two years after Hurricane Helene? At our next LMI Tuesday, LEAD economists Andrew Berger-Gross and Jonathan Guarine check in on Western North Carolina’s recovery. Join the October 20th session at 11:30am: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.

ALT Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.

1
2
25
📈#NCEconomyWatch: The Western NC economy is recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene, but some indicators continue to lag. Read our October 2026 edition of NC Economy Watch to learn more about the slow road to recovery in Western NC: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
Line graph showing Western NC employment trends from 2023 to 2026, with dips below 400,000 after Hurricane Helene impact.

ALT Line graph showing Western NC employment trends from 2023 to 2026, with dips below 400,000 after Hurricane Helene impact.

1
4
130
Findings from the 2026 Employer Needs Survey is out! The NC Employer Needs Survey is conducted every 2 years to understand the workforce challenges facing NC employers. This edition surveyed a general sample of employers plus 3 industry-specific samples: lead.nc.gov/employer-needs-s…
2026 Employer Needs Survey Report cover featuring a person marking checkboxes on a transparent digital interface over a laptop.

ALT 2026 Employer Needs Survey Report cover featuring a person marking checkboxes on a transparent digital interface over a laptop.

1
45
Check out our latest LEADing News newsletter! This edition highlights the August 2026 county unemployment estimates, the 2026 Employer Needs Survey, and more: icont.ac/51nHz
Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.

ALT Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.

3
2
57
📈#NCEconomyWatch: Are tariffs showing up in consumer prices? For some goods categories, the answer is yes. Apparel prices are up about 4% over the past year, with prices for sporting goods and toys seeing similar increases. Read more on the LEAD Feed: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
16
North Carolina’s #Manufacturing CTE data show rising participation, and graduates enter and remain in the state’s Manufacturing sector at strong and stable rates. Check out the full story for more information: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
Bar chart showing employment percentages of Manufacturing CTE Concentrators in 2020 across five sectors, comparing Year 2 and Year 5 cohorts.

ALT Bar chart showing employment percentages of Manufacturing CTE Concentrators in 2020 across five sectors, comparing Year 2 and Year 5 cohorts.

1
3
2
71
It's #LMITuesday! After a few years of steady progress, inflation spiked again in NC in 2026. Join us at 11:30 am for "NC Economy Watch: Inflation's Bumpy Road" as we unpack what's driving the spike, plus a look at the latest statewide employment data: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
Wooden letter blocks spelling 'INFLATION' placed on various US dollar bills including ones, fives, twenties, and tens.

ALT Wooden letter blocks spelling 'INFLATION' placed on various US dollar bills including ones, fives, twenties, and tens.

20
📈#NCEconomyWatch: Inflation has been in the headlines this year. Consumer prices rose 3.4% from Aug. 2025 to Aug. 2026, on par with inflation readings from early 2023. We break down what’s behind this year’s increase in our latest article: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
Line graph showing U.S. headline inflation rising to 4.2% in 2026, the highest in over three years, with data from 2021 to 2026.

ALT Line graph showing U.S. headline inflation rising to 4.2% in 2026, the highest in over three years, with data from 2021 to 2026.

1
2
32
UNC System Accounting graduates find strong career opportunities and substantial earnings growth, but the number of graduates remains below its peak as demand for accounting talent is projected to increase. Check out the full story for more information: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…

UNC Accounting Graduate Pathways: Two Decades of Employment and Earnings Trends

commerce.nc.gov
1
3
110
Have you checked out our LEAD website recently? We’ve been working behind the scenes to make it easier to find the data, research, and workforce insights you need. Explore the redesign: lead.nc.gov/
Laptop screen showing the LEAD website homepage with economic data and labor market updates.

ALT Laptop screen showing the LEAD website homepage with economic data and labor market updates.

3
5
113
Check out our latest LEADing News newsletter! This edition highlights the July 2026 county unemployment estimates, our revamped LEAD website, and more: icont.ac/51m10
Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.

ALT Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.

1
1
42
NC has gained job-switchers from other states every year since 2001, about 312,000 workers. Today's LMI Tuesday digs into where they come from, where they go, and which industries gain and lose. Plus a walkthrough of LEAD's new worker flow dashboard: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
1
1
33
Why is our labor force shrinking? We’re having fewer babies, our population is getting older, and our young people are staying in school rather than joining the labor force. Check out our latest analysis of North Carolina’s labor force trends: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
1
27
The 2026 quarter one data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) is live! Get updated numbers on the establishments, average employment, total wages, and average weekly wage across North Carolina. Explore the #data: d4.nccommerce.com/?q=48CL
1
48
Recent estimates indicate that North Carolina's labor force is smaller now than it was a year ago. Our LEAD economists will unpack these estimates at today's LMI Tuesday session: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
19
Load more