Originally published at https://siteselectorsguild.com/redi-sites-round-four/ REDI Sites , a site readiness verification program created by the Site Selectors Guild, has announced its Round Four designations, recognizing 17 industrial sites that have met the program’s criteria for investment rea diness. This round marks a major milestone in the growth of REDI Sites: Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oklahoma previously had no designated REDI Sites. With this announ

By Courtney Roberts Posted March 3, 2026 at 1:25 p.m. at https://today.appstate.edu/2026/03/03/golden-leaf BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has been awarded $500,000 in funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation, which supports the establishment of a nursing simulation and clinical learning lab at the App State Hickory campus . App State senior nursing major Kimber Blackburn, left, practices her nursing skills under the direction of Dr. Melinda Bogardus, assistant prof

Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) is significantly expanding its optical cable manufacturing presence in North Carolina. The move comes as a result of a major deal with  Meta Platforms Inc.  (NASDAQ: META), which is now the anchor customer at Corning's Hickory cable plant. Corning and Meta have announced a multiyear deal worth up to $6 billion to accelerate U.S. data center development. Under the deal, Corning will supply its latest optical fiber, cable and connectivity products to M

Community colleges play a central role in driving state's workforce success; the N.C. Community College System's Economic Development programs power employer-driven talent pipelines statewide RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina has been ranked No. 1 in Site Selection Magazine's annual Workforce Development Rankings, reinforcing the state's reputation as a top destination for business investment and talent-driven growth. Site Selection Magazine is one o

Coley, LLC, a unique direct-to-consumer furniture company, has announced a significant expansion at its Catawba County site. The company is set to invest at least $9 million over the next three years and will create a minimum of 40 new positions with an average salary of $61,818, exceeding the county’s average wage of $54,280.

The Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has announced the recipients of the inaugural Catawba Future-Ready Manufacturing Grant (FRMG). The program serves as a pioneering effort to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies among existing industries.

Thread the Word, an Australian company which specializes in manufacturing customized gift blankets, has opened a US-based manufacturing operation at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) incubator located in Conover, North Carolina.

and has designated a new innovation district for future growth. In today’s competitive economic landscape, location is more than geography—it’s strategy. The City of Hickory, North Carolina, is executing a bold, data-driven vision to position itself as a premier destination for business and industry. Through targeted investments in infrastructure, placemaking, and industrial readiness, Hickory is creating the conditions for sustainable growth, innovation, and long-term value

American Fuji Seal (AFS) entered into an Economic Development Agreement today to create at least 20 jobs and make investments in their existing facility in Trivium and to create a new facility on Lot 7 with a minimum investment of $10M with potential investments of up to $30 Million or more over the next three years. AFS will purchase Lot 7 for $668,860 and has the option of receiving incentives on future investments to pay back all or a portion of that amount back based on t

Corning Optical Communications LLC, a division of Corning Incorporated, has agreed to acquire Lot 11 in Trivium Corporate to expand its manufacturing operations, hire and maintain a minimum of 132 jobs at an average salary to exceed $65,000/year, and invest between $170,000,000 to $267,900,000 under the terms of an economic development agreement with the City of Hickory and Catawba County. Corning will receive Lot 11 at no cost to the company (32.92 acres at $95,000/acre, val

Finding a place that won't drain your savings has become more urgent than ever. Hickory, North Carolina, in particular, could be worth your time — with WorldAtlas naming it one of the most affordable places to live in the country.

Blog Post from North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership InnovaKnits  is a specialized contract manufacturer that provides flat knit consulting and develops domestic flat knit textile products for the medical, wearable electronics, and technical fields. Other industry applications include aerospace, energy, performance athletics, orthotics and prosthetics, molding and composites, hosiery and high-end fashion and apparel. In addition to product development services, I

HICKORY, N.C. - The City of Hickory's newest walkway opened Tuesday morning. City leaders held a ribbon cutting on the steel pedestrian bridge that's part of the Aviation Walk.  The walk is one of five trails being built across the city connecting more than 10 miles of neighborhoods Click here for the rest of the article and videos on WSOC-TV

North Carolina is part of Apple’s $500 billion U.S. expansion plans. Apple will expand facilities in nine states over the next four years and create 20,000 jobs, the tech giant said in a news release Monday. With the company’s largest ever financial commitment, it is focusing on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering and skills development. The plan includes expanding its data center capacity in North Carolina, as well as in Iowa, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada. Apple helpe

Click here for original post from UNC-Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded esteemed  Research 1 – or R1 –  status  by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is the highest recognition that a doctoral university can receive.  The prestigious classification, indicating “very high research activity,” affirms UNC Charlotte as an elite research institution. With this designation, Charlotte (and East Carolina Universi

Click here for original post from Appalachian State University BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a Research Activity Designation of Research 2 from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — the nation’s leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions. This new designation is awarded to institutions with high research activity and doctorate production. “This designation aligns with App State’s steady growth in

by Kevin Ellis, Business North Carolina A Houston-based data company paid $4 million for the former Bed Bath & Beyond data center in Claremont and has converted it into a facility that will rent out space to third parties for their servers and other network equipment. Known as a colocation center, Data Journey officials say it will serve both local and regional clients.  The investment in the building was almost $7 million, when adding attorney fees and other expenses relate

CONOVER, N.C. – Pleneri, a leading innovator in the apparel manufacturing industry, is excited to announce the opening of its Innovation Center at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) in Conover, North Carolina. This significant milestone places Pleneri at the heart of the emerging US textiles industry and underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement. Pleneri’s CEO, Matt Padberg, expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating, “We a

Experienced municipal leader looks forward to collaboration, innovation NEWTON, NC—The City of Newton proudly announces the hiring of Brandon Holland, ICMA-CM, as assistant city manager. Holland comes to Newton with more than a decade of experience managing municipal governments and a proven track record of driving advances in financial management, economic growth, capital improvements, and leadership development. Holland most recently held the position of senior planner and

HICKORY, N.C. – Steel Warehouse, a leading steel service center with distribution, shipping, and processing capabilities, announced that it will open a state-of-the-art facility in Hickory, North Carolina.  The ambitious initiative is set to create 58 jobs and involve an investment of $27 million over the next four years, significantly enhancing the company's presence and operational capabilities in the Southeastern United States. Steel Warehouse Company, a family-owned steel