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