You've probably seen the headline before: a new company is coming to Catawba County, bringing jobs and investment. Maybe it had a curious code name attached - "Project" something-or-other. Maybe there was a public hearing, or a mention of a tax incentive, or a number that made you wonder. If you've ever found yourself asking what any of this actually means for you - your tax bill, your neighborhood, your kids' schools - you're not alone. It's a fair question, and it deserves

Goldhofer AG, a globally recognized German manufacturer of specialized heavy transport and airport ground support equipment, announced today that it will establish a new North American production facility and United States headquarters at Trivium Corporate Center in Hickory, North Carolina. The company plans to invest more than $20 million and create up to 80 new jobs by the end of 2030.

In November 2022, Catawba County, the Cities of Conover and Hickory, the Town of Maiden, and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation announced Microsoft’s plan to invest a minimum of $1 billion in the phased development of four data centers in Catawba County over a 10-year period. As our local project has progressed, questions about community impact have been raised and deserve thoughtful discussion and transparency.

Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) and the CVCC Foundation, in partnership with the City of Hickory and regional leaders, celebrated the official ribbon cutting of the Dale Earnhardt Regional Innovation Complex on April 22, 2026—marking a transformative investment in workforce development, innovation, and educational opportunity for the Catawba Valley region.