Weekly Legislative Update

North Carolina

 
By Betsy Bailey & Victor Barbour
June 10, 2026

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Federal Contracting

The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to help small businesses in North Carolina get some of the billions of dollars that the government spends each year on highway and other infrastructure projects. USDOT is holding a day-long event in Raleigh on Thursday, at N.C. State University’s McKimmon Center, that opens with how-to sessions from government and industry experts. There will be chances for small business owners to meet one-on-one with officials from more than a dozen federal agencies, including USDOT, the Interior Department and Department of Housing and Urban Development. Businesses can register for the National Small Business Matchmaking Series event in Raleigh through noon Wednesday, June 3, at cmp.dot.gov/event/nsbmsnorthcarolina. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the workshops aim to give small businesses access to federal decision makers, both for their benefit and the good of government agencies. “We’re leaving the swamp to meet with American small business owners who are the backbone of our economy and engaging their expertise to build big, beautiful infrastructure projects,” Duffy said in a written statement.

Economic Forecast

North Carolina’s economy is expected to grow by 2.5% over last year, driven by increases in 14 of the state’s 15 economic sectors. This would represent the sixth full year of growth since the pandemic, according to the latest North Carolina Economic Forecast published by the UNC Charlotte Belk College of Business. Last year’s inflation-adjusted GDP is expected to increase by 2.9% over the 2024 level. North Carolina is forecasted to add 65,100 net jobs this year, an increase of 1.3% from the 39,900 expected jobs added last year. However, by December 2026, the state’s unemployment rate is expected to increase to 4.1%, crossing over the 4% mark for the first time in more than a year.

Complications could come from the Federal Reserve’s action on interest rates as it seeks to balance inflation concerns, the effect of the war in Iran, whether Wall Street sees an AI bubble or whether AI spending leads investors to sell tech stocks and slow consumer spending.

Also, if Congress fails to control its spending, inflation could return this year, according to the report that has been issued for more than 40 years, according to the report.

Healthcare Spending

North Carolina residents spend the seventh most percent of their income on healthcare in the nation, a study has found. According to the study from WalletHub, healthcare costs in North Carolina make up an average of 8.78% from a household’s monthly income. The average cost of healthcare in North Carolina is $530, with average prices being third for Lipitor, 11th for an optometrist visit, 12th for Ibuprofen, 19th for a dentist visit, and 22nd for a doctor visit, according to the study. The study found Alaska residents spend the most percent of their income on healthcare, with costs making up an average of 10.08% of their monthly income. At an average of 5.11%, residents in Utah spend the lowest percentage of their income on healthcare, according to the study.

JetZero Progress

A year after announcing North Carolina’s largest economic development project, Long Beach, California-based aviation startup JetZero plans to break ground June 15 on its futuristic jet factory at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. The announcement firms up plans disclosed by JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary in February while speaking to business students at Elon University. Gov. Josh Stein is scheduled to join O’Leary for the ceremony next month. The company pledged to invest $4.7 billion and top 14,500 in hiring over the next decade in the production of the Z4 aircraft. Designed in California and to be built in Greensboro, the jet blends the fuselage and wings, weighing less and delivering 50% greater fuel efficiency than traditional jets. It plans to commence service early in the next decade. JetZero said the 8-million-square-foot facility will manufacture up to 20 Z4s a month. It will integrate advanced digital and AI-driven manufacturing processes. On Tuesday, the state’s Economic Investment Committee, part of the NC Department of Commerce, allowed JetZero to modify its job creation targets. Instead of having 1,047 people hired by Dec. 31, 2027, JetZero now expects to push that back a year and have 1,438 people hired by Dec. 31, 2028. Smaller adjustments are also made for 2028 and 2029, and the 12-year agreement ends in year 2037 rather than 2036, but still with 14,564 jobs. The modification is the result in state budget delays pushing back its construction schedule, according to the company. 

DriveNC App

The N.C. Department of Transportation rolled out a redesigned version of its statewide traveler information website last Wednesday, adding new tools, a modernized map and a companion mobile app for the first time. The site's address will remain the same, but the underlying platform is being replaced. The change means users -- including news outlets -- will need to resubscribe for email alerts under the new system. The upgrade introduces several new features, including customizable email alerts for specific routes or regions, real-time feeds from over 1,100 traffic cameras and the ability to view messages displayed on overhead digital highway signs. A free "DriveNC" app for iPhone and Android devices will also debut at noon on launch day. DriveNC.gov has been a key public resource since it was created after Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Last year, the system logged more than 34,000 incidents, including crashes, construction closures and storm-related impacts. Nearly 1.4 million people used the site in 2025, generating about 2.2 million visits.

South Carolina

By Leslie B. Clark & Whitney Williams
June 10, 2026

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Primary Election Results

The primary election was held yesterday, and we still have a little way to go before we finalize the candidates for the November elections.  As expected, with a crowded republican field for the gubernatorial nomination, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson are headed to a runoff on Tuesday, June 23. 

Evette and Wilson have been running neck and neck for months, but Evette secured the coveted Trump endorsement in early June.  Wilson announced his running mate as State Senator Mike Reichenbach (R-Florence) earlier this year and despite a direct mention in President Trump’s endorsement tweet, Henry McMaster Jr. announced he will not be Ms. Evette’s running mate in the fall.  

The winner of the republican runoff will face State Representative Jermaine Johnson (D-Columbia) who trounced his opposition to win the democratic nod outright.  Mr. Johnson has not announced his running mate at this time.

For Attorney General, State Senator Stephen Goldfinch and Attorney David Stumbo are headed to a runoff.   The winner of the republican runoff faces Richard Hricik (D) in the fall. 

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver was unopposed for the republican nod, but Lisa Ellis and Sylvia Wright competed in the democratic primary.  Wright defeated Ellis on Tuesday and will face Weaver in the November election.

The second busiest statewide race this year was for the Commissioner of Agriculture.  In a field of four candidates for the republican nomination, Cody Simpson and Danny Ford are headed to a runoff.  The winner faces DeShawn Blanding (D) in November.

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R) easily dispatched competitor Mark Lynch yesterday with 57.71% of the vote.  Graham faces democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews in the November general election.

In the 1^st Congressional District, Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt and State Representative Mark Smith are headed to a republican runoff and Nancy Lacore and Mac Deford are headed to the democratic runoff on June 23.  It’s worth noting that former Governor and Congressman Mark Sanford received 11.8% of the vote, despite having withdrawn from the race weeks ago.

Over in the 5^th Congressional District, State Senator Wes Climer (R-York) faced no opposition for the republican nod but will face Mallory Dittmer (D) in November.

The biggest news from Tuesday in the State House was that there wasn’t a lot of news.  Multiple incumbent republican legislators faced opposition from Freedom Caucus competitors and multiple Freedom Caucus legislators faced opposition from “establishment” republicans, but unlike 2024, the incumbents (somewhat) easily held on to their seats.  Two incumbents did come up short this year – Representative Luke Rankin (R-Laurens) and Representative Michael Rivers (D-St. Helena Island). 

One State House race is headed to the runoff – Representative Don Chapman (R-Anderson) will compete against Sherry Hodges (R).  Chapman led in the primary but came up short of the 50% threshold to win outright.  It appears Representative Robert Reese (D-Columbia) will narrowly avoid a runoff against Noah Barker (D) by winning 50.15% of the vote.

In the narrowest contest of the evening, it looks like Representative Rob Harris (R-Spartanburg) defeated his opponent by only 35 votes. 

Statistical information is still coming in from yesterday’s primaries, but the State Election Commission data shows that early voting records were shattered this year.  Over 268,000 people voted early this year, doubling the number of early voters for 2024. 

Please see the attached spreadsheet for the unofficial results.  The State Election Commission will certify the results on Friday, June 12.

Former State Representative Peter McCoy Tapped as Ambassador

Another South Carolinian has been nominated for an Ambassadorship; this time it is former state representative Peter McCoy.  Mr. McCoy has been nominated to serve as the US Ambassador to Montenegro, a Balkan nation on the Adriatic Coast with a population of 623,000. 

McCoy, an attorney from Charleston, served as a republican in the SC House of Representatives from 2010 to 2020 and is currently the Chairman of the Santee Cooper Board of Directors.  While in the SC House, Mr. McCoy served as the Judiciary Chairman until resigning to become the US Attorney in the first Trump administration. 

Former Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer is also under current consideration by the federal government as the US Ambassador to Belize. 

View the Election Results Here 

Three New Manufacturing Projects to Bring More Than $1.3 Billion in Investment and Nearly 700 Jobs to South Carolina

South Carolina continues to strengthen its position as a destination for advanced manufacturing and critical infrastructure investment, with three companies announcing new operations that will bring more than $1.3 billion in capital investment and nearly 700 new jobs across the state.

In Oconee County, Austrian energy infrastructure manufacturer Mosdorfer announced plans to establish its first U.S. operation with a $44.55 million investment and 107 new jobs. The Westminster facility will serve as the company’s North American production hub, manufacturing high-voltage transmission line components for electric grid infrastructure.

Cherokee County secured one of the state's largest recent economic development projects as USA Rare Earth announced a $1.2 billion investment in a rare earth metals and permanent magnet manufacturing campus in Blacksburg. The project is expected to create approximately 490 jobs and support domestic supply chains serving defense, aerospace, semiconductor, energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile, Red Metals selected Charleston County for its first copper manufacturing operation, investing $70 million and creating approximately 80 jobs. The facility will focus on producing domestically sourced copper products, supporting growing demand from electrification, energy infrastructure, data centers, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The project further expands South Carolina’s growing presence in critical minerals and industrial metals production.

SC@Work Photo Contest

The Department of Employment and Workforce’s 4th annual photo contest is underway and welcoming new entries from businesses. The SC@Work: 2026 Photo Contestis an initiative to celebrate the hard work and passion of employers across the state by showcasing pictures of “South Carolinians at work,” where businesses of any size, demographic, industry, and region can submit a photo of their employees in action as they perform their daily jobs. 

The top entries will be selected by DEW leadership and the State Workforce Development Board, based on the composition and quality of the shots. A Grand Prize State Winner, four Regional Winners, a Small Business Winner, and a People’s Choice Winner will be recognized. This year’s winners will be announced in a press release and on social media, and their photos will be displayed at the Governor’s Mansion on September 1 at the Workforce Champion Award ceremony to kick off Workforce Development Month.

The grand-prize winner will be invited to attend the ceremony. Even if a business does not win a category, our agency will still showcase all eligible entries on our growing SC@Work Gallery, which displays photo submissions from the previous year's photo contest, and is sortable by region and year.

The submission deadline is Sunday, June 14, 2026. Employers can submit a photo via pollunit.com/polls/2026photocontest. Only one entry per employer is allowed.

2026 Workforce Champion Award Nominations

Also, the Department of Employment and Workforce is now accepting nominations for its Workforce Champion Award Competition. Started in 2023, the Workforce Champion Award is presented by Governor Henry McMaster, in partnership with DEW, to recognize employers who demonstrate extraordinary effort, innovation, and commitment to connecting students and educators to career awareness and employment opportunities. DEW encourages South Carolina businesses of all sizes and industries to nominate themselves and spotlight their unique initiatives to connect with young people (e.g., internships, apprenticeships, school tours, on-the-job training, or other unique opportunities for students).

The submission deadline is 11:59 PM on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Nominations can be submitted online via this form.