Catawba County

  Economic Development Corporation

1960-B 13th Avenue Drive SE ● Hickory, NC  28602 ● 828-267-1564 ● edc@catawbacountync.gov

(updated 12/01/11) News & Events  

Partner Websites

 Press Releases, News Clippings, Industry Pulse Newsletter  

* - denotes articles featuring Committee of 100 members

* - denotes articles featuring "green" efforts

* - denotes articles featuring the NC Data Center Corridor

2011

*08/17/11 - New Biodiesel Facility at Catawba County Landfill

*08/15/11 - Biofuels Center Boasts Teamwork (EcoComplex)

*08/07/11 - CommScope's Global Reach

*08/05/11 - How the EcoComplex Benefits You

*07/27/11 - Green Businesses Get Chance to Spotlight Products

  07/20/11 - Catawba County EDC Officials: Let's capitalize on recent successes

  07/20/11 - Economic Leaders Discuss Future

  07/20/11 - Gary Laws Remembered at Catawba EDC Annual Meeting

*07/07/11 - Change Makes Big Impact (Lawrence Lumber)

  06/29/11 - Upholstery Company to Bring 75 Jobs to Conover (Lee Industries)

  06/29/11 - Investment Gives Market Boost (Lee Industries)

  06/29/11 - Lee Industries Expanding into Conover

  06/29/11 - Lee Industries to Hire 75, Expand Production in Catawba County

  06/29/11 - Furniture Manufacturer Expands to Conover, Adds 75 Jobs

*06/16/11 - HWI Global to form Joint Venture with Enigma Concepts

  06/14/11 - Zenith Opens Home Deliver Hub in West Palm Beach, Fla.

  06/12/11 - Company to Expand, Create 19 Jobs (Dalco Nonwovens)

  06/12/11 - Golf Head Club Covers are Locally Made (Spirit of Colors, LLC)

*06/10/11 - ICloud's Center in Maiden Putting Charlotte Region in Spotlight

*06/08/11 - Century Furniture to Receive Made in America Award

  06/07/11 - Dalco Nonwovens to Add 19 Jobs in Conover

  06/06/11 - Local Expansion to Bring 19 Jobs (Dalco Nonwovens)

  06/06/11 - Nate Berkus Show to Feature Newton Business (Lee Industries)

*06/03/11 - Apple, Google, Facebook Turn N.C. Into Data Center Hub

  06/02/11 - Conover Gets $333K Grant for Conover Station Park

  05/10/11 - Big Film Studio to Shoot in Hildebran (Hunger Games)

  05/09/11 - Money-back Guarantee (Turbocoating Corp.)

  05/08/11 - 100-year-old Hickory Chair Celebrates

*05/08/11 - Bright Lights and Big Ideas (Enigma Lighting)

  05/07/11 - Premium Fabricators Acquires Marsh-Armfield

  05/07/11 - Gildan to buy Gold Toe Moretz

  04/25/11 - Hickory Call Center to Hire 160 People (Convergys)

  04/25/11 - Convergys to Hire 160 Employees

  04/24/11 - Plant Opening is Ray of Sunshine (Fairmont Designs)

  04/23/11 - $6.5M in Grants, No Easy Task (Conover Station/Mfg Solutions Ctr.)

  04/23/11 - Warlong Building Prepares to Open (Con. Station/Mfg Solutions Ctr.)

  04/22/11 - Catawba County Industrial Facility Quickly Finding Tenants

*04/21/11 - Data Center Corridor Work Tops EDC Agenda

  04/19/11 - Hickory Springs' HS Converting Facility Achieves AHFA Certification

  04/16/11 - Canadian Company to Purchase Gold Toe Moretz for $350 Million

  04/15/11 - Turbocoating to Bring 110 Jobs to Hickory

  04/15/11 - Italian Firm Brings Jobs to Hickory (Turbocoating)

  04/15/11 - Turbocoating to Bring 53 Jobs to Catawba County

  04/15/11 - Turbocoating Corp. USA Announces 110 New Jobs and $15,000,000...

*04/14/11 - From Textiles to Tech, the State’s Newest Crop (Data Centers)

*04/13/11 - Energy Office Oks $1.8 Million for Business... (Hickory Springs)

  04/13/11 - Gildan Activewear to buy Gold Toe Moretz in $350M deal

*04/06/11 - Petco Park Begins Baseball Season with Upgraded... (CommScope)

  04/01/11 - Wastewater Treatment Plant Wins State Award (City of Newton)

  03/28/11 - U.S. Upholstery Capacity Grows (Fairmont Designs)

*03/20/11 - Conover Company Recognized for Green Efforts (GKN Sinter Metals)

*03/19/11 - Pierre Halfway to Job Requirements

  03/16/11 - Grant to Company Will Get Public Hearing (Fairmont Designs)

*03/13/11 - Senate Bill Would Help Funding at EcoComplex

*03/13/11 - Company Recognized for Green Efforts (Vanguard Furniture)*

*03/11/11 - CertainTeed Gets Global Recognition

*03/08/11 - CommScope Provides Materials for NC Research, Education Network

*03/07/11 - CommScope Gets Larger Role, Contract in Buildout of NC Fiber...

  02/20/11 - New Company Makes Paper Cores (Core³)

  02/19/11 - 200 Furniture Jobs Coming (Fairmont Designs)

  02/19/11 - Fairmont Designs to Bring 200 New Jobs

  02/18/11 - Fairmont Designs to Establish New Operations and Create 200 Jobs...

  02/17/11 - Core³ Provides Local Source for Spiral Paper Cores

  02/08/11 - Catawba County Commissioners Approve Incentives...(Sarstedt)

*02/07/11 - Gov. Perdue Announces $8.5 Million...(Armacell, General Dynamics)

*01/27/11 - Dirtball Fashion: Making Clothes from Water Bottles

  01/27/11 - EDC Plans for More Jobs, Investments

  01/24/11 - Hickory Named a Top City in U.S.

  01/24/11 - Zenith Global Logistics Opens Shipping Hub in Dallas

  01/23/11 - Hickory Area Has All the Right Business Qualities

  01/21/11 - Local, N.C. Economy Still Facing Tough Road

  01/21/11 - Big Plans for Conover Station

  01/20/11 - Touching the Future (Blind Squirrel Digital)

  01/20/11 - Board Approves Incentives (Poppelmann)

  01/06/11 - Sarstedt to Create 20 New Jobs

*01/06/11 - Council Approves Pierre Incentives

2010

  12/22/10 - Survey to Measure Residents' View of Hickory

*12/22/10 - N.C. Economy Moves From Textiles to Tech (see Fox News video)

  12/15/10 - Commissioners want legislators to back projects

  12/15/10 - $2.7M Grant Gets Manufacturer (CVCC's Manufacturing Solutions Ctr.)

  12/13/10 - Duke Energy Gives Power Partner Awards (Hickory Chair)

*12/06/10 - Commissioners OK...incentives for Pierre Foods

  11/18/10 - City of Conover Gets Grant for Project

  11/18/10 - Newton Plans for Heart of the City

  11/18/10 - Conover Gets $400K Grant for Stormwater

*11/17/10 - County Receives 30K for EcoComplex

*11/16/10 - County Makes Changes at EcoComplex

*11/15/10 - Catawba County Receives National Broadband Award (EcoComplex)

  11/12/10 - Town Welcomes New Manager (Town of Catawba)

  11/10/10 - Entrepreneur Ties Technology to Textiles (Apparel Technology)

  11/10/10 - Fulcrum to the Future: How Catawba County is leveraging its... past

  11/09/10 - 1,000 More Workers Have Jobs

  11/09/10 - Furniture Maker to Consolidate Operations in Hickory (Hooker Furn.)

  10/20/10 - Hickory Pushes to Continue Redevelopment of Old Properties

*10/07/10 - Apple Data Center Brings 300 Jobs to Maiden

*10/07/10 - Broadband Brings Perdue to Hickory (CommScope)

  10/06/10 - Business Park Finds Home in Conover

  10/06/10 - Job Recruitment Continues in Newton

*10/05/10 - Hospital Expands: CVMC updates for the future

  10/05/10 - Town Hires New Manager (Catawba)

  09/19/10 - Catawba County Jobs: Where did they go and why?

*09/15/10 - Pierre Foods Expansion Nearly Completed

  09/14/10 - He Cannot Be Replaced (Gary Laws, EDC Chairman)

  09/02/10 - City Hires New Manager (Claremont)

  08/04/10 - Town Accepted into "Main Street"

  07/29/10 - Officials Hope Business Park will Bring Industry, Create Jobs

*07/28/10 - Pierre Foods Grows, Adds Jobs

  07/25/10 - Plan Pushes Hickory for Business, Living

  07/24/10 - Laurels to Good Year for Economic Development

  07/24/10 - Makin It Here Continued...

  07/23/10 - Makin' IT Here

*07/23/10 - Apple Aids Maiden Before Data Center Opens

*06/25/10 - Canadian Company Ready to Build at Eco-Complex

  06/23/10 - Zenith Opens Regional Freight Hub in Atlanta

*06/22/10 - Five 9s Digital Targets North Carolina Market

  06/22/10 - Catawba's Economic Developer Honored for Luring Apple

  06/15/10 - Auto-Parts Maker to Bring Work to Caldwell, Catawba

  05/19/10 - 'Hip, Hip, Hooray' Cheers Greet Call Center's 250 Jobs

  05/19/10 - Fiserv Creates 400 Jobs With Hickory Facility

  05/14/10 - EDC's Railroad Site Was Best

  05/13/10 - Claremont International Business Park, Phase II Tops the List...

*04/30/10 - Hickory Chair Achieves Sustainable Status

  04/28/10 - Conover Business Receives SHARP Award (Profile Products)

  04/27/10 - Hickory Springs Celebrates 50 Years in Foam

  04/26/10 - National Sleep Foundation Partners with Carpenter

*04/21/10 - Pepper Berry, Lorts Using Earth Care Inside Parts (Hickory Springs)

  04/21/10 - Turbotec Expansion Creates 73 New Jobs

  04/07/10 - Newton Furniture Plant to Reopen

  04/06/10 - Bassett to Open Upholstery Facility

*04/05/10 - The Data Corridor (O-N-E Progress 2010 Article)

  03/12/10 - Industry Expansion Means 73 Jobs for Hickory

  03/12/10 - Turbotec Adds 73 Jobs

  03/12/10 - Turbotec to Bring 73 Jobs to Hickory

  03/12/10 - Turbotec Products Inc. Announces 73 New Jobs in Hickory

  03/12/10 - Heat Exchange Manufacturer to Bring 73 Jobs, $6.5 Million...

*03/05/10 - Company Expansion Brings 500 Jobs to Claremont

*03/05/10 - 500 New Jobs Coming to Claremont

*03/05/10 - Pierre Foods Adding 500 Jobs in Western NC

*03/05/10 - National Food Products Maker to Bring 500 Jobs, $17 Million...

*03/05/10 - Pierre Foods to Expand, Create 500 New Jobs

*02/05/10 - Frye Receives Consumer Choice Award

*01/29/10 - Duke Energy Pushes Smart Grid Plan for 2017 Completion

  01/27/10 - Chamber Goal: 20 million new jobs

  01/26/10 - Develop New Bait

  01/26/10 - US Chamber Shines Positive Light on Free Enterprise

  01/18/10 - Contact Center to Hire 120 (Convergys)

  01/18/10 - Convergys to Hire 120 Employees

*01/18/10 - UNCC, Catawba County Work on Green Project

  01/17/10 - Woman Works to Boost County's Economic Health

  01/16/10 - Mayor Looks to the Future (Claremont)

*01/15/10 - Board Considers Partnership Between EcoComplex and UNC-Charlotte

  01/07/10 - Business Commission Would Fast-Track Top Development Proposals

  01/06/10 - Maiden Invests, Expands for the Future

  01/06/10 - Legacy receives $20,000 incentive

  01/04/10 - Newton Mayor Excited by City's Accomplishments

  01/04/10 - Small Businesses Help Conover in Past, Future

*01/01/10 - Charlotte's Top Stories of 2009 (Apple)

2009

  12/07/09 - Manufacturing Areas Lead Surprise Job Comeback (Legacy Furn.)

*12/04/09 - Business Receives Grant to Help Solar Production (SunQest)

*11/24/09 - Martin Starnes named 2009 Best Accounting Firms to Work For

*11/19/09 - Newton Business Receives Grant for 'Green' Technology (Sunquest)

  11/19/09 - Opportunity Rings: Prospective workers flock to CVCC...(Fiserv)

*11/18/09 - City Completes 'Green' Challenge (Newton)

  11/18/09 - Telling More of the Hickory Story (Response to Washington Post)

*11/17/09 - Mountain Khaki's Announces New...Recycled-T... by Dirtball Fashions

  11/14/09 - 419 Workers Needed for New Customer Care Center (Fiserv)

  11/13/09 - Legacy Furniture in Growth Mode

  11/02/09 - Zenith Global Logistics Opens Tupelo Freight Hub

*11/05/09 - Bassett Goes Green

  11/05/09 - Area Furniture Company Hopes to Add 50 Jobs (Legacy Furniture)

*10/30/09 - Bassett Plant Achieves Environmental Milestone

*10/28/09 - 5 Counties Promote Data Center Corridor

*10/28/09 - “NC Data Center Corridor” Multi-County Initiative Announced

  10/28/09 - More than 400 Jobs Coming to Hickory (Fiserv)

  10/28/09 - Fiserv to Bring More Than 400 Jobs to County

  10/27/09 - Fiserv, Inc. Announces 419 New Jobs in Hickory

  10/27/09 - Financial Services Technology Company to Bring 419 Jobs... (Fiserv)

  10/07/09 - Job Fair to Ease Stressing Economy (Ethan Allen)

  09/23/09 - Airport Update (Hickory Regional Airport)

*09/03/09 - Nelson Oil Company Awarded ISO 9001-2008

  09/01/09 - Higher Education an 'Economic Machine'

  08/27/09 - Poppelmann Plastics Expands Plant

  08/27/09 - CVCC's High Numbers Bring More Opportunities

  08/25/09 - County's Workforce Confirms Ethan Allen Expansion

  08/23/09 - Company Grows: $8 million warehouse doubles size of Poppelmann...

  08/23/09 - Expanding Company has Open House (Fiber-Line)

  08/21/09 - Screw Manufacturer Relocates to Conover

  08/20/09 - Heil Screw Products Create 10 New Jobs in Conover, NC

  08/18/09 - Zenith Global Logistics Opens NC Warehouse

  08/18/09 - Ethan Allen Incentives Approved

  08/16/09 - Companies Form Strategic Partnership (Transportation Insight)

  08/16/09 - Furniture Carrier Acquires Trucking Company (Sunbelt Furn. Express)

  08/14/09 - Apple Prepares to Dig in

  08/12/09 - Target Gives Away Money at Grand Opening

  08/12/09 - Center is big, it's high tech, it's big, it serves more than 60 stores...

  08/12/09 - Target Distribution Center Officially in Business

  08/12/09 - Distribution Center Right on Target

  08/11/02 - Target Distribution Center Opens

  08/11/09 - Target Impact Roars to Life

  08/11/09 - Target Opens New Distribution Facility This Morning

*07/31/09 - National Eye on Eco-Complex:...Facilities to be featured on CNN...

*07/30/09 - Data Center Possible at Carolina Mills

*07/30/09 - LEED Plans Revealed for New Center (Warlong Glove Building)

  07/30/09 - Grants Assist Business; Train, Educate Workforce

  07/29/09 - Catawba County Lures Both Tradition and Technology

*07/21/09 - $1 Billion Apple Project Moves Forward

*07/17/09 - Hospital Expansion Moves Ahead in Phases (Catawba Valley Med. Ctr.)

  07/15/09 - Simulated Hospital Under Construction (CVCC)

  07/15/09 - Focus on Energy (Annual Meeting)

  07/15/09 - County Builds on Economic Momentum (Annual Meeting)

*07/12/09 - Based on Google..., Caldwell Officials Say Apple Will Be Sweet Deal

  07/12/09 - Lowes, Backstreets Construction Projects Start

*07/10/09 - What Apple Deal Means to the Charlotte Region

*07/08/09 - Apple Represents Economic Shift

  07/08/09 - New Application Allows Faster Moves (Corning)

*07/08/09 - Residents Say Apple is a 'Wonderful Thing'

*07/08/09 - Apple Equals Big Aspirations

*07/08/09 - Maiden Raises Offer for Apple Data Center

*07/08/09 - Apple Announcement Gladdens Community

*07/07/09 - Apple to build $1 billion data center in Maiden 

*07/07/09 - It's official: Catawba County lands Apple

*07/07/09 - Small city plucks a big plum in Apple

*06/24/09 - From Sunflower Seeds to Biofuel (EcoComplex)

  06/19/09 - Sunbelt Furniture Xpress acquires Newton Transportation

  06/19/09 - Zenith Freight Lines adds 12 trucks

  06/15/09 - Claremont Officially Names Niland Manager

  06/14/09 - 120-year-old Piedmont Wagon Co. Mill on Market

  06/14/09 - Ground Broken for Expansion (BSN Medical)

  06/14/09 - EDC Staff Member Earns Designation (Julie Pruett)

  06/10/09 - Plant Lands $119M Job (General Dynamics SATCOM)

  06/10/09 - From These Shovels Come Jobs (BSN Medical Groundbreaking)

  06/08/09 - Julie Pruett Received Designation of Certified Economic Developer

  06/05/09 - 302 New Jobs: Furniture Maker to Expand, Add Jobs (Ethan Allen)

  06/05/09 - Furniture Jobs Return (Ethan Allen)

  06/05/09 - Furniture company will add 302 jobs (Ethan Allen)

  06/04/09 - Catawba County Manufacturer to Create 302 Jobs (Ethan Allen)

  06/04/09 - Ethan Allen to Expand, Create 150 New Jobs

  06/04/09 - Ethan Allen Announces Plans to Expand...

  06/02/09 - $2 million expansion to create 25 new jobs in Conover (BSN Medical)

  06/02/09 - Medical Supply Company to Expand Conover Site (BSN Medical)

  06/01/09 - BSN Medical to Add 25 New Jobs in Expansion

  06/01/09 - They Keep it Relative (von Drehle wins Family Business Award)

*05/21/09 - Hospital Honored for Service Excellence (Catawba Valley Medical Ctr.)

*05/24/09 - Company Launches New Green Initiatives (Hickory Springs)

  05/19/09 - County Endorses Company's Request for $4 Million in State Money

  05/03/09 - Community Welcomes New Manufacturer (Turbotec Products)

  05/01/09 - Hickory Manufacturer Poised for Rapid Growth (Turbotec Products)

  04/30/09 - No Hurry: Deadline for multi-jurisdictional park participation extended

  04/29/09 - von Drehle Wins State Award: Family business honors 'Faith' accolade

  04/26/09 - L-R Professor Publishes Book on Furniture Industry

  04/26/09 - Suit Up and Show Up: Conover Co makes socks...(Twin-City Knitting)

  04/22/09 - Sharing Costs - and Risks - of Project (Multi-Jurisdictional Park)

  03/20/09 - Thousands Target Local Jobs

  03/17/09 - Target Hosts Job Fair in Newton

  03/07/09 - Renamed Center Aims to Raise Profile

  03/04/09 - Plan Links Up ASU, Hickory Area Colleges

  03/04/09 - ASU to Expand Degree Offerings for Area Counties...

  03/04/09 - Hickory Ranks High with Low Taxes

  03/03/09 - Decision Time (Multi-Jurisdictional Park)

  03/01/09 - Groundwork for Growth: Economic development officials outline...

  02/23/09 - Call Centers Bring New Job Connection: Hickory finds some salve...

  02/22/09 - 'Business as Usual': Center offers alternative... (Crown Business Ctr)

  02/22/09 - Company Brings Certified Foam to Market (Hickory Springs)

*02/19/09 - County Offers Incentives for Green Building Practices

*02/11/09 - Waste Money: Conover company uses recycling (Recycling Unlimited)

  01/30/09 - Claremont Company Discovers the 'Obama Worm' (Walling Data)

  01/27/08 - Hickory Springs Foam Wins Certification

  01/25/09 - Company Helps Furnish Renovated Ford's Theatre... (Southwood Furn)

  01/25/09 - Company Beats Out Giant Competitors for Contract (OptiConcepts)

  01/19/09 - Classic Leather Rides with Harley

*01/08/09 - Eco-Friendly Clothing Sports Catchy Name (Dirtball Fashion)

*01/18/09 - Growing Hickory Company Makes Recycling Equipment

  01/15/09 - Covation's Honor Defended

*01/15/09 - Conover Plant Makes Sofa for Obama Family (Vanguard)

  01/13/09 - Prospects Bring Signs of Hope: EDC says more than 3,000 jobs...

  01/13/09 - Economic Woes and Triumphs

  01/13/09 - Economy Topic of Public Forum at Lenoir-Rhyne

*01/11/09 - Shurtape Rolls out Product: New masking tape helps keep latex...

*01/11/09 - Hickory Business Named Environmental Steward (Corning)

  01/10/09 - Forum to Focus on Economic Future

  01/10/09 - Claremont On Track for 2009

  01/07/09 - Business is Priority One: Economic Development...ranks high (Newton)

  01/05/09 - County Sets Its Priorities

  01/05/09 - Laurels to Foresight that Helped Deliver 900 Jobs

Archived Announcements, Press Releases, and News Clippings - 2003-2008

 Upcoming Meetings & Events  

February 10, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

March 3-4, 2011

     NCEDA 2011 Mid-Winter Conference - Pinehurst, NC

March 9, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

April 13, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

April 23, 2011

     EDC Offices Closed - Easter Holiday

May 11, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

May 30, 2011

     EDC Offices Closed - Memorial Day Holiday

June 6-12, 2011

     Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn

June 12-15, 2011

     7x24 Exchange Spring Conference - Orlando, FL

June 8, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

June 5-7, 2011

     IEDC 2011 Spring Conference - Indianapolis, IN

June 14-16, 2011

     NCEDA 2011 Annual Conference - Asheville, NC

July 4, 2011

     EDC Offices Closed - Independence Day Holiday

July 22, 2011

     11:00am - EDC Annual Meeting

August 10, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

September 5, 2011

     EDC Offices Closed - Labor Day Holiday

September 14, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

September 18-21, 2011

     IEDC 2011 Annual Conference - Charlotte, NC

October 12, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

November 9, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

November 24-25, 2011

     EDC Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Day Holiday

December 14, 2011

     12:00 noon - EDC Board Meeting

December 22, 23, 26, 2011

     EDC Offices Closed - Christmas Holiday

Other  

2011 Plan of Work Brochure (378 KB)

2009-2010 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (22 KB)

2010 Plan of Work Brochure (423 KB)

2009 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (21 KB)

2008-2009 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (26 KB)

2009 Plan of Work Brochure (160 KB)

2007-2008 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (28 KB)

2008 Plan of Work Brochure (140 KB)

2008 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (26 KB)

2006-2007 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (26 KB)

2007 Plan of Work Brochure (274 KB)

2006 Plan of Work Brochure (175 KB)

2006 Selected Catawba County Economic Highlights (37 KB)

2005 Plan of Work (330 KB)

2003-2004 Annual Review (305 KB)

Catawba County EDC

PO Box 3388

Hickory, NC  28603

Phone:  828-267-1564

Fax:  828-267-1884

edc@catawbacountync.gov