Coastal North Carolina is feeling the sting of a statewide spike in layoffs, as regional employers across multiple industries cut staff.
In Wilmington, the transportation sector took a hit as Avelo Airlines shuttered its local crew base, eliminating over eighty positions. In a statement, officials said the closure — one of many nationwide — is part of a strategic network simplification. While reducing nonstop routes from 17 to four, the airline maintains that this move strengthens its financial position and focuses operations on core markets.
In Tarboro, Corning Incorporated announced a restructuring that will impact more than 120 workers. Corning said it is transitioning the operation of its Life Sciences North America Hub in Tarboro to Ryder, meaning Ryder will take over the day-to-day management and running of the facility. The site itself will remain open and continue to distribute Corning Life Sciences products, but Ryder—a company specializing in logistics—will be in charge of managing everything at the location. Most employees will likely keep working at the facility, but their employer will change from Corning to Ryder. Corning will continue to lease the site, but Ryder will direct the operations and offer employees new opportunities within its company…