North Carolina closed out 2025 with a mix of economic triumphs, political maneuvering, and resilient community efforts amid lingering recovery challenges. Top headlines included a banner year for job creation, with over 23,000 positions announced through the state's Job Development Investment Program, led by JetZero's 14,000-job aircraft manufacturing expansion in Greensboro, according to the Commerce Department as reported by Axios Raleigh. Republicans in the legislature redrew the 1st Congressional District to favor their party ahead of 2026 elections, targeting Democratic Rep. Don Davis, while federal research grant cuts hit universities like Duke and UNC hard, prompting layoffs and budget reductions. Novartis also pledged a $771 million biomanufacturing expansion in Durham and Wake Counties, creating 380 jobs.
In government and politics, the General Assembly remains six months behind on the state budget, risking teacher raises and Medicaid funding, Axios notes. Legislators advanced work on education and rural infrastructure bills for January filing, per Carolinas AGC's weekly update. Governor Josh Stein secured federal approval for over $670 million in broadband funds from the American Rescue Plan, aiming to connect 250,000 homes and businesses by 2026, with BEAD projects launching mid-year.
Business boomed as Amazon leased a massive Charlotte industrial facility from Crescent Communities, spurring logistics jobs, and Hoffman & Hoffman announced a $40 million HVAC expansion adding 131 positions in Greensboro. Community news highlighted MacKenzie Scott's $36 million gifts to two community colleges for program growth, EdNC reports, while Christmas tree farmers in Boone rebounded post-Hurricane Helene, buoyed by demand amid tariffs, Fox Weather states. No major recent weather events disrupted the state, though Helene's prior floods exposed dam vulnerabilities in the west.
Looking Ahead, watch the January legislative session starting January 8 for budget compromises and broadband rollouts, a competitive GOP primary in the new 1st District, Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup push, and immigration enforcement in Charlotte and the Triangle.
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