Attracting thriving businesses in the telecomm, advanced textiles, automotive and data center industries, Catawba County is situated in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. The county makeup consists of quaint towns, busy cities, rolling countryside, and lakes. Hickory, Newton-Conover, and Maiden are among the popular business hubs, which center on a legacy furniture manufacturing industry, healthcare, and energy.

Catawba County celebrates and supports its vibrant business community by developing a talented workforce through Catawba Valley Community College and Lenoir-Rhyne University, and actively growing its pro-business climate. Through the Edison Project competition, the region seeks out talented entrepreneurs and innovative business start-ups and assists with a viable business launch in the Greater Hickory Metro area.