- Quality of Life
Catawba County has a moderate climate, a culture rich in the arts, sporting events, recreational opportunities, quality healthcare and many places to shop, eat and play. Business North Carolina named Hickory the eighth “Best City for Quality of Life.” - Skilled Workforce
Our people are hardworking, and have much experience with manufacturing. We are also showing growth in many other sectors, and the workforce is hungry for new opportunities. - Innovation
Our area is constantly changing and growing to keep up with new technological trends. Apple, Google, and Facebook all have all chosen this area to build data centers. - Low Cost of Business
Forbes Magazine lists Hickory as having the second lowest cost of business in the country. - Short Commutes
It will never take you long to get where you are going in Catawba County. - Proximity to Fun and Major Cities
We’re less than an hour from Charlotte, and hour and a half from Asheville or Greensboro, 3 hours from Knoxville and 4 hours to the beach or Atlanta. In fact, we are within a day’s drive of 60% of the country’s population. - High Tech
Even though the region’s cities and towns are small, technology is a quickly growing segment of our economy. Most of our residents have access to high-speed internet, and there are many technology professionals in the area. - Set Your Own Pace
You can make your life as upbeat and action packed as you like in our region. We offer many recreational opportunities, as well as a thriving arts scene. Or, you can take it easy, and relax by our tranquil lakes and rivers, or take a quiet walk in many of the region’s parks. - Educational Opportunities
Catawba County has many educational institutions to provide a wide variety of learning opportunities. Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, as well as the Appalachian Greater Hickory Partnership and Catawba Valley Community College. - Family Atmosphere
Reader’s Digest listed Hickory as the #10 place to live and raise a family in the US. There are many places where parents and their children can share fun and enriching experiences such as the SALT Block. The SALT Block houses the Science Center, the Art Museum, the Western Piedmont Symphony and the Library.
