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Catawba County, NC

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Find the workforce you need to succeed.

Catawba County, NC

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We are a community specialized in manufacturing.

Catawba County, NC

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All work and no play? Not here!

Catawba County, NC

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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 July 2024 issue!

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. Since 2006 the metro area has been ranked no lower than 6th. Travel & Leisure Magazine ranks Hickory as the #1 Most Affordable and Beautiful Place to Live in the US.  US News & World Report has named the Hickory MSA as #1 in their list of Most Affordable Places to Live 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

With 31.5% of our workforce employed in manufacturing and raking 5th in the nation for manufacturing concentration, Catawba County and the Hickory MSA have long been considered a top location for the manufacturing industry.  Business Facilities Magazine ranked the Hickory MSA as #8 in their list of Mid-Size Manufacturing Hubs.  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 3rd for Best Places to LIve in NC, 31st for Best Places to LIve in the US, 3rd for Best Places to Retire in the US, and one of the Top Ten Best Places to Live Near the Mountains in the US.  

1st
Most Affordable & Beautiful Place to Live in the US
Travel & Leisure Magazine
1st
Hickory Metro area ranked 1st in the nation for lowest business costs in 2019 (no lower than 6th since 2006)
Forbes.com
1st
Hickory MSA rated #1 in the US for Cheapest Places to Live
U.S. News
2nd
Newton ranked as 2nd Best Business Environment of the state’s 50 largest communities.
Business North Carolina
3rd
Hickory MSA ranked #3 for Best Places to Live in NC
U.S. News
4th
Hickory named 4th Best Place to Start a Business in North Carolina
NerdWallet
5th
Best Places to Live in North Carolina
US News & World Report
6th
Conover named 6th Best Place to Start a Business in North Carolina.
NerdWallet
6th
Most Affordable Places to Live in the US
US News & World Report
8th
Mid-Size MSA Manufacturing Hubs (Population 150k - 500k)
Business Facilities Magazine
9th
Best Main Street
USA Today
9th
Hickory named the 9th Best Place to Raise a Family in North Carolina.
Smart Asset
10th
Hickory named in top ten in Best Places to Live Near the Mountains.
US News