Catawba County has an educated and skilled workforce of over 396,000 within a 45-minute drive.

Business Costs

The Hickory MSA has been ranked by Forbes Magazine as lowest in the nation for Cost of Doing Business.  The MSA has been ranked #1 since 2016 has ranked no lower than 6th in the nation since 2006.  

According to the Sperling's BestPlaces, the  Cost of Living Index for Catawba County is 89.8 compared to 100 in the US and 97.5 in Charlotte, NC.

Property tax rates in Catawba County range from combined rates (City and County) of $0.955 to $1.2025 per $100 valuation with no additional school or fire district taxes.  The Hickory MSA also 15th out of 74 US cities for the lowest manufacturing tax burden.

Shurtape Technologies' distribution center in the Town of Catawba.