Corning to expand operations in Trivium with plans to add 132 jobs and invest $170,000,000 to $267,900,000

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, valued at $3,127,400) and will receive grants based on future real and personal tax receipts of 57.5% for five years, up to a maximum additional value of $2,687,782 from the County and $3,102,587 from the City of Hickory.

“We’re grateful for the support of Catawba County and the City of Hickory as we bring new opportunities to the business park and the greater Hickory community,” said Lindsey Theis, Director, Strategic Planning & Analysis, Optical Fiber and Cable, Corning Optical Communications. “Our highly skilled workforce in Catawba County is critical to our success, as we continue to deliver innovative optical cable solutions for our customers."

“The City of Hickory is proud to celebrate Corning’s continued investment in our community with this latest expansion at Trivium Corporate Center. Corning’s ongoing commitment not only strengthens our local economy but also reinforces Hickory’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. This expansion brings new opportunities for our residents and contributes to the long-term vitality of the entire region. We are grateful for Corning’s partnership and their confidence in Hickory’s future,” said Hickory Mayor Hank Guess.

“Corning’s continued success has contributed significantly to its presence in Catawba County, and specifically to the growth of Trivium Corporate Center,” said Randy Isenhower, Chair of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners. “Corning is an outstanding example of how well our community’s collaborative economic growth strategies are helping to support the continued expansion of major industry in Catawba County.”

As with all economic development agreements, the City and County have established contractually-based guidelines requiring minimum job and investment criteria with substantial penalties for performance in compliance with NC General Statutes.

Others involved include Trivium Corporate Center Inc., Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, NC Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

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For further details, please contact:
Catawba County EDC
Scott Millar, President
(828) 267-1564
smillar@catawbacountync.gov

NC Department of Commerce
David Rhodes
drhodes@commercenc.gov