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by Kevin Ellis, Business North Carolina A Houston-based data company paid $4 million for the former Bed Bath & Beyond data center in Claremont and has converted it into a facility that will rent out space to third parties for their servers and other network equipment. Known as a colocation center, Data Journey officials say it will serve both local and regional clients.  The investment in the building was almost $7 million, when adding attorney fees and other expenses related to the prior owner's bankruptcy, according to Data Journey. Click here for the rest of the article in Business NC.

Click here for original post from Appalachian State University BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a Research Activity Designation of Research 2 from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — the nation’s leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions. This new designation is awarded to institutions with high research activity and doctorate production. “This designation aligns with App State’s steady growth in research investments, giving our students more opportunities to engage in innovative and meaningful research and creative activities alongside App State’s expert faculty and staff,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “This work yields real-world solutions and technologies that drive innovation — answering the needs of our communities and strengthening economies.” In fiscal year 2024, App State set a university record for research funding, securing over $25 million in awards for faculty and staff projects. Over the last five years, App State’s funded research has increased by nearly 75%. A strong emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities has long set App State apart from other research universities. App State students benefit from hands-on experience on impactful projects and avenues to present their research at major conferences — deepening learning and preparing students to excel in their future careers and/or graduate studies. About the Carnegie Classifications First published in 1973,  Carnegie Classifications  are updated every three years to reflect changes among colleges and universities and serve as a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions, as they are frequently used by policymakers, funders and researchers. In 2022, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education began a collaboration to reimagine the Carnegie Classifications, with a goal of making the classifications “more representative of institutions’ missions and better reflect a variety of education pathways and student experiences.” Carnegie Classifications rely on publicly available data sources that contain data on all institutions in the United States, including the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey. A Research 2  designation  — part of the system’s modernized classifications for 2025 — recognizes institutions that spend at least $5 million on research and development and produce at least 20 research doctorates, on average, in a single year. App State’s research expenditures in fiscal year 2023 were more than $8.4 million — grant funding secured by university faculty and staff for research. In the 2022–23 academic year, the university awarded 20 doctoral degrees. A working group led by Hendren is engaged in a full assessment of all R2-related factors for the university. App State’s R2 designation opens the door for additional opportunities for students to conduct groundbreaking research and advance creative endeavors side-by-side with faculty and staff, according to Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren, vice provost of research and innovation at App State. She added that the designation positions the university within a broader, national peer group, helping to more clearly assess App State’s performance, quality and value against similar institutions. Advancing research and innovation at App State “We’ve been steadily evolving over time to arrive at this moment because of visionary planning, institutional and state support and, most importantly, the dedication of our faculty, staff and students to meaningful research,” said App State Acting Provost Neva J. Specht. “As we continue to expand our research and creative endeavors, we will remain focused on areas in which App State strategically leads and where the market shows demand.” The advancement of research, innovation and creativity is one of  the university’s six strategic priorities  and is informed by the university’s new  Academic Affairs Strategic Plan  and  Strategic Plan for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities . “At our core, we are still a teaching institution, and that will always remain fundamental to our identity,” Norris said. “This new distinction will support continued teaching and research opportunities for faculty, which provide important pathways for student learning.” The  Office of Research and Innovation , led by Hendren, works to connect and coach App State faculty on their paths to protecting and commercializing intellectual property that has the potential to generate value and financial impact for the state of North Carolina. This work, performed with support from the  Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship , is part of  App State’s collaboration with NCInnovation  — a nonprofit organization that provides grant funding, mentorship and partnership development to support researchers at North Carolina’s public universities. As a regional NCInnovation hub, App State assists researchers by connecting them with industry and business services, helping advance their research so it can become widely available and applicable for the marketplace. One example of applied research at App State is led by Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Lowe’s Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science, who was awarded over $640,000 in  grant funding from NCInnovation for his work on the Beemon Hive Monitoring System  — an innovative tool for decreasing honeybee die-off and increasing hive production. This funding will help bring parts of the system to market that will assist beekeepers in preserving the health of their hives. The  Office of Student Research  supports opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research and mentored scholarship at App State. In the 2023–24 academic year, the Office of Student Research awarded almost $100,000 to students to perform and present their research and creative activities and supported 60 paid Undergraduate Research Assistantships with faculty mentors. “Our unique excellence in research, scholarship and creative endeavors stems from the special intersection of our wonderful people and this amazing place,” said Hendren. “This positions us to generate significant place-based impact with local-to-global applications, drawing on history and tradition, navigating our present times, and adapting tech, business and social systems to build a vibrant future for communities in North Carolina and beyond.” App State’s upcoming 2025 classifications In addition to its R2 designation, the university will receive two additional Carnegie Classifications in April — an  Institutional Classification  and a  Student Access and Earnings Classification . The Institutional Classification is an update to Carnegie’s current Basic Classification, which has been in place for more than 50 years. The new Institutional Classification will group institutions by characteristics, including the types of academic programs an institution offers, the types of degrees they award and the institution’s size. According to Carnegie, the new Student Access and Earnings Classification is focused on the long-term success of learners, with institutions to be classified according to student characteristics, access and outcomes. Until the new Institutional Classifications are released in April, App State’s 2021 Basic Classification — a regional, master’s comprehensive institution — remains in effect, alongside its R2 designation. The Research Activity and Student Access and Earnings designations are separate and distinct from Institutional Classifications.

Click here for original post from UNC-Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded esteemed  Research 1 – or R1 –  status  by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is the highest recognition that a doctoral university can receive.  The prestigious classification, indicating “very high research activity,” affirms UNC Charlotte as an elite research institution. With this designation, Charlotte (and East Carolina University, whose R1 designation is also announced today) joins the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Duke University as the only universities in North Carolina in this category. “Achieving R1 status reflects our commitment to establish Charlotte as a top-tier research institution,” said Chancellor Sharon Gaber. “This milestone is the result of the dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff, whose work attracts top talent and critical support. It also fuels economic growth, with research investments driving a fivefold return, strengthening the regional workforce and contributing to Charlotte’s economy. This achievement is a win not only for our University but for our region.” Exceeding Expectations With today’s announcement , 187 degree-granting, postsecondary institutions in the United States are classified by Carnegie as top-tier doctoral research universities. Defined as at the forefront of research and innovation, institutions with R1 designation offer extensive doctoral programs, attract and retain field-leading faculty, and draw significant public and private funding. Criteria for 2025 R1 status include annual institutional spending of at least $50 million on research and development, and awarding at least 70 research doctorates per year. UNC Charlotte exceeds those thresholds with research expenditures for fiscal year 2023 totaling $92 million, and by awarding an average of 160 doctoral degrees each year.   The ascension to top-tier status reflects the progress Charlotte has made over the past several years toward achieving its stated research goals:  Among the country’s fastest-growing research universities, climbing 46 spots in 2023 to the top 20% ( NSF HERD ) Top 20% for computer and information sciences Top 30% for social sciences, physics, engineering, chemistry Third-largest public research university in North Carolina, and the only public university in the state to rank among the nation’s most innovative schools ( 2025 U.S. News & World Report ) 66 faculty members with $1 million or more in external grant funding 2020-24: 146 new inventions created, 239 patents filed, 18 spin-out companies created; top five nationally per research dollar spent for patents filed and new startups 10 internally funded research centers and 11 UNC System centers and institutes; extensive laboratory- and field-based research by hundreds of faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate researchers Leading CO-LAB, part of the city of Charlotte’s AI-cybersecurity-energy-focused North Tryon Tech Hub, where entrepreneurs and innovators source University expertise for solving real-world challenges. “Carnegie R1 designation is synonymous with academic excellence, research innovation and impact, the catalysts for research breakthroughs that lead to new technologies, businesses and economic growth,” said John Daniels, vice chancellor for research. “UNC Charlotte — the region’s leading research university — is making a difference where it matters most to the Queen City and its workforce: health care and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy, data science, cybersecurity, AI, business leadership, arts and culture, and more.” The Carnegie Classification was developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1970 as a way to distinguish institutions for educational and research purposes; classifications are updated and released every three years. It is managed by the American Council on Education.

From MoneyDigest.com Read More: https://www.moneydigest.com/1879638/hickory-north-carolina-cheapest-places-to-live-in-america-retirement-local/ A Small Town In North Carolina Perfect For Retirees Is Also One Of The Cheapest Places To Live In America BY EBUBE JONES JUNE 13, 2025 2:00 PM EST Retirement isn't as simple as it used to be. As costs keep climbing, Americans are forced to watch every dollar. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the average household spent $77,280 in 2023, with housing alone eating up a third of that. That hits anyone on a fixed income particularly hard. While Social Security helps, many older adults still find their budgets stretched thin by medical bills, groceries, and even basic utilities. Finding a place that won't drain your savings has become more urgent than ever. On that note, North Carolina stands out with one of the best economies in the country. Hickory, North Carolina, in particular, could be worth your time — with WorldAtlas naming it one of the most affordable places to live in the country. The town's roots go back to the late 1800s, and it has built its name in the furniture industry. Most importantly, because of its affordability and opportunity, living in Hickory means you can enjoy your retirement lifestyle without breaking the bank. Affordability in Hickory As of March 2025, RentCafe places the average rent in Hickory at $1,402 a month — about 10% below the national average. For buyers, Redfin reported an average home price of $349,900 in May 2025, well under the U.S. average of roughly $439,000. Utility bills run about 8% lower than the national average, with the typical energy bill at $186.58, leaving more room in a retiree's budget for health care, groceries, or even fun. Weekly grocery costs in North Carolina averaged $266.23 in 2024, according to World Population Review. Similarly, transportation costs in 2025 are reasonable, with gas around $3.40 per gallon in 2025, according to Redfin – not far off from the national average of $3.32. Similarly, a tire rotation costs $54, which is below the national average of around $63. Dentist visits averaged $97.27, and doctor appointments came in at $135.48, both below the national averages of $117.51 and $143.7, respectively. Retirees also score more savings on taxes since North Carolina doesn't tax Social Security benefits. Similarly, other retirement income — including things like pensions, 401(k), and IRA withdrawals – only face a flat 4.25% rate in 2025, dropping to 3.99% afterward, according to the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Hickory's best amenities for seniors Hickory makes it easy for seniors to stay active and social. For starters, the Hickory Farmers Market provides fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts from local vendors, giving residents the opportunity to shop, chat with neighbors, and enjoy live music or seasonal events. Plus, the city has 27 parks, three recreation centers, and two senior centers. These centers are open year round for walks, fitness classes, and meet-ups for folks aged 60 and up. Many Medicare plans also include something known as SilverSneakers, meaning that eligible members can get free or discounted access to the Highland Recreation Center, and classes, if their insurance covers it. At the senior centers specifically, you can find regular activities such as BINGO nights, computer workshops, and group trips. Every year, the Unifour Senior Games invite anyone 50 and older to friendly sports, art, and fitness contests. Other community resources include Adult Life Programs, Inc. which offers day services for people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, and Home Instead Senior Care, which steps in with help around the house, and rides, when needed.

Blog Post from North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership InnovaKnits  is a specialized contract manufacturer that provides flat knit consulting and develops domestic flat knit textile products for the medical, wearable electronics, and technical fields. Other industry applications include aerospace, energy, performance athletics, orthotics and prosthetics, molding and composites, hosiery and high-end fashion and apparel. In addition to product development services, InnovaKnits offers its customers inbound and outbound training and consulting services on STOLL knitting equipment.  Partners Neil Tagner and Jason Wilkins moved their entrepreneurial operations from Florida to the  Manufacturing Solutions Center  business incubator in Conover, North Carolina, in 2015 and officially launched in 2016. The Manufacturing Solutions Center is part of Catawba Valley Community College. It works with traditional manufacturers and manufacturing start-ups in design, research, development, prototyping and product testing, and provides connections to industry experts and domestic resources. By age 12, Tagner was programming flatbed knitting machines and working in his parents’ sweater manufacturing plant and high-end apparel knitting mills across the USA and abroad before NAFTA impacted the industry. Before launching InnovaKnits, Wilkins was employed at an injection molding business, manufacturing prosthetics for amputees. The two entrepreneurs took hosiery classes at the Manufacturing Solutions Center and worked on implementing machines to make compression hosiery for textiles adjacent to prosthetics products. Wilkins and Tagner realized that a much broader range of product solutions was possible with their combined specialized technical knowledge and the right equipment. And the concept of InnovaKnits was born.  Wilkins shared, “We knew it would be tough to efficiently build the type of manufacturing operation we initially visualized in Florida, and knew the textile supply chain was stronger in and around North Carolina. The Manufacturing Solutions Center is an entity that truly exists as a connect-the-dots in the textile world.”  InnovaKnits is focused on delivering technically superior products that require limited to no manual labor and post-knit assembly. Its technical expertise and mastery of specialized programmable equipment allow it to move bulk manufacturing production directly to automated knitting machines, eliminating costly domestic labor costs and enabling the company to compete more robustly with manufacturers worldwide with “Made in the U.S.A.” products.  In addition, compared to traditional cut and sew operations of a garment, where it starts with a roll of fabric, cuts of different pieces according to a pattern, and moves to different sewing operations to attach the pieces of the garment, InnovaKnits does not have any cut waste. Whatever yarn is going into the final textile is going into the machine. This lowers the concerns about environmental waste or hesitations to use expensive or technically advanced materials. The flatbed knitting process also helps eliminate or reduce labor compared to the labor involved in sewing production, where you often need many different people and operations to complete a product. Only one person is needed to run many knitting machines, and the product is often finished. InnovaKnits does not produce fashion apparel or sweaters. Instead, it focuses on specialized, advanced technical, or medical uses. InnovaKnits performs 3D and multilayer knitting, complex intarsia patterning, weft and warp inlay of elastics, weft and warp inlay of conductive yarn or wire, plating and feeding of bare spandex, knitting with silicone yarns, knitting with high-strength UHMWPE yarns and has experience in the domestic production of knit uppers. InnovaKnits has developed unique solutions for various customers, including those in the automotive and aerospace industries and has grown with them.   The company’s uniqueness lies in its ability to create custom items that competitors cannot easily replicate. The business is focused on unique solutions for product development and technical applications. Wilkins said, “There are very few competitors in the USA because this skill set of people who know how to do this type of knitting and the knowledge to program this type of equipment basically, all moved overseas with the sweater industry in the nineties.”  The Manufacturing Solutions Center has been central to InnovaKnits’ business relationships and growth. In 2016, InnovaKnits became a resident in the business incubator space at the Manufacturing Solutions Center. The team at the Manufacturing Solutions Center continues to provide InnovaKnits with support, consulting and training on hosiery and knitting processes, equipment, supply chain, product development, and testing lab services. From an initial connection that the Manufacturing Solutions Center provided, InnovaKnits has grown that client relationship from a $30,000 income to a $500,000 per year account.  InnovaKnits now occupies 7,000 square feet of manufacturing space in the Manufacturing Solutions Building II. The Manufacturing Solutions Center II building is a public-private partnership between the City of Conover and the private equity group Whiskbroom. The Whiskbroom-owned portion of the building contains four operating companies that graduated from the Manufacturing Solutions Center I business incubator.  On the most recent survey in 2024 documenting Manufacturing Solutions Center technical support services and testing services provided to InnovaKnits, they reported a total economic impact of $515,000: $75,000 in increased sales, $300,000 in retained sales, $40,000 investment in new equipment, $100,000 in cost savings, one new job created and one retained job.

North Carolina is part of Apple’s $500 billion U.S. expansion plans. Apple will expand facilities in nine states over the next four years and create 20,000 jobs, the tech giant said in a news release Monday. With the company’s largest ever financial commitment, it is focusing on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering and skills development. The plan includes expanding its data center capacity in North Carolina, as well as in Iowa, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada. Apple helped create a data center corridor in Maiden, the Catawba County town where it set up operations in 2009, as well as in nearby Rutherford, Cleveland and Caldwell counties. Maiden is about 37 miles northwest of Charlotte. Scott Millar, president of Catawba County Economic Development Corp., said Monday that the company has not yet reached out with specifics about its plan. “They’ve invested over $4 billion here and have more real estate they could develop if they choose,” Millar said. Apple is growing its workforce in North Carolina at the data center and corporate offices in Raleigh, the company told The Charlotte Observer late Monday. Apple did not provide details about its expansion plans, how much it plans to invest or the jobs impact in North Carolina. Click here to read the full article from The Charlotte Observer.

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CATAWBA, N.C. – CommScope, a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks, announces a major business expansion at its Catawba County facilities.  Headquartered in nearby Hickory (NC), with more than 1,600 Catawba County employees, the company plans to invest $60.3 million over the next four years to enhance production capabilities and create 250 new positions with an average annual salary of $57,332. The investment by CommScope over the next four years demonstrates their ongoing commitment to innovation, growth, and the local community. The expansion will bolster the company's manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand for broadband nationwide, in particular, federally-driven initiatives to enhance access and telecommunications speeds in previously underserved broadband markets. "We are excited to embark on this expansion project at our Catawba County facilities," said Chuck Treadway, CEO of CommScope. "This investment reflects our confidence in the region's skilled workforce and our commitment to meeting the increasing demands of our customers. We look forward to further contributing to the economic development of Catawba County and North Carolina." Randy Isenhower, Chair of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, stated, "CommScope has been a valued partner in our community for many years, and we are thrilled with their decision to expand their operations here. This investment will not only create new job opportunities but also strengthen our local economy. We are proud to support their growth and success." Frank Young, Chair of the Catawba County EDC Board of Directors, remarked, "CommScope's decision to invest in our community is a testament to the favorable business climate and skilled workforce we have in Catawba County. We are confident that this expansion will stimulate further economic growth, attract more talent, and enhance the region's reputation as a hub for cutting-edge technology companies." The additional positions created by the expansion will range from manufacturing and engineering roles to management and support functions. CommScope will work closely with local workforce development agencies to identify and train qualified candidates for these new opportunities.  Hiring opportunities will be posted in the future on the company’s website at jobs.commscope.com . A public hearing for local incentive consideration will be scheduled in the coming months by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners. In addition to Catawba County, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Catawba County Economic Development Corporation.  ### Media Contact: Catawba County Economic Development Corporation Nathan Huret 828-267-1564 nhuret@catawbacountync.gov

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