Welcome to Catawba County
Here's the bottom line—we want your business to be part of our dynamic economic region. Catawba County, NC offers a wide range of building and site options, and you’ll definitely benefit from our adaptive and well-trained workforce. Whether you’re engaged in advanced manufacturing, light assembly, data centers, distribution, corporate or back office functions, you’ll be welcome in here in Catawba County. We are a community of makers and doers, who enjoy a good quality of life while working together to make a difference for the better. Join us in "Making. Living. Better."
Check out Business NC's Catawba County Community Close-up in the September 2021 issue!
Catawba County is featured in the October 9th, 2020 issue of the Charlotte Business Journal. Explore Charlotte's Great Northwest!
Catawba County was featured in a Round Table discusssion in Business NC Magazine in September 2020. See why "Collaboration is Key".
Catawba County is featured in the May 2019 issue of Business NC. Read how Catawba County is "Crafting A Future."
Location of Catawba County
Catawba County Making. Living. Better.
Catawba County and its municipalities consistently rank high in national lists and publications. Forbes.com ranks the Greater Hickory Metro as having the lowest business costs in the nation for 2019. Since 2006 the metro area has been ranked no lower than 6th. US News & World Report has named the Hickory MSA as the 4th most affordable MSA in the US. Inc. has ranked Hickory among its 6 cheapest cities in which to start a business and NerdWallet named Hickory and Conover the 4th and 6th best places to start a business in North Carolina.
Long considered a center of the manufacturing industry, Catawba County and the Hickory Metro have spent years diversifying their industrial base. Just some of the diversified manufacturing sectors that call Catawba County home include machining and metal working, plastics, fiber optic and coaxial cable and furniture. Catawba County led North Carolina’s data center recruitment efforts with a focused approach to targeting data centers through the development and marketing of the NC Data Center Corridor.
Catawba County’s manufacturing prowess is supported and accentuated by a rich geography and diverse lifestyle that has brought the area national recognition. Catawba County is not just a great place to do business, it's a great place to live for people of all ages. US News & World Report named Hickory as 5th for Best Places to LIve in NC. National Geographic ranked Hickory in the top 30 best small cities in the US noting its hipster-friendly offerings. The Economic Policy Institute ranked the Metro area the 2nd least expensive MSA in North Carolina for a family of four. Safehome.Org ranked Hickory the No. 20 safest city in North Carolina, based on low violent crime and property crime rates, as well as the best citizen-to-officer ratio. Movoto listed Hickory in their 10 most exciting places in North Carolina coming in 5th in North Carolina for the number of nightlife venues per capita and also ranking well for its number of non-fast food restaurants. The Kiplinger Letter ranked Hickory in the top 10 best places to retire in the U.S. in August 2017, detailing its moderate weather, low cost of living, vibrant arts scene, access to quality health care and revitalization efforts as evidence of a thriving quality of life.
Hickory Metro area ranked 1st in the nation for lowest business costs in 2019 (no lower than 6th since 2006)
Forbes.comHickory MSA rated #1 in the US for Cheapest Places to Live
U.S. NewsNewton ranked as 2nd Best Business Environment of the state’s 50 largest communities.
Business North CarolinaHickory Metro area ranked 2nd least expensive MSA in North Carolina for a family of four.
Economic Policy InstituteHickory MSA ranked #3 for Best Places to Live in NC
U.S. NewsHickory named 3rd biggest economic gainer of 2017 on Miliken Institute's Best-Performing Cities in America
USA TodayHickory MSA named 4th most affordable in the largest 150 metro areas in the US
US News & World ReportHickory named 4th Best Place to Start a Business in North Carolina
NerdWalletHickory named 5th in Best Places to Live in NC
US News & World ReportHickory MSA ranked #5 mid-size market for manufacturing.
Business FacilitiesHickory MSA ranked 5th in NC for number of nightlife venues per capita and number of non-fast food restaurants.
MovotoConover named 6th Best Place to Start a Business in North Carolina.
NerdWalletHickory named the 9th Best Place to Raise a Family in North Carolina.
Smart AssetHickory named in top ten in Best Places to Live Near the Mountains.
US NewsNews & Events
Hickory council approves design contract for new Hickory Aviation Museum, CVCC workforce site
Read MoreLeather supplier expands operations
Read MoreAppalachian State leaders: $20 million in improvements planned for Hickory campus
Read MoreContact Us
Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
1960-B 13th Ave Dr SE, Hickory, NC 28602
P | 828.267.1564
F | 828.267.1884