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