The Hickory metropolitan area is one of the best places in the country for manufacturing, according to the Business Facilities’ 18th Annual Rankings Report.
In the annual rankings, metro areas and cities of all sizes are recognized for attracting and retaining businesses from numerous industry sectors. Catawba County placed in the top ten in the mid-sized metro category for manufacturing.
Leaders in Catawba County said the community demonstrates its manufacturing prowess by leaning into the industry, and strengthening it even further with award-winning talent development programs and a collaborative focus on continuous improvement.
“Catawba County has a long history as a manufacturing hub,” Scott Millar, president of the Catawba County Economic Development Corp. “With 31% of our workforce employed in manufacturing, we are proud of our long-standing reputation of having a skilled, productive manufacturing workforce. Our commitment to provide exceptional training for our current and future manufacturing workforce needs is evident in Catawba Valley Community College’s Manufacturing Academy, Manufacturing Solutions Center and the new state-of-the art Workforce Solutions Complex.”
Hundreds of manufacturers call the Catawba County area home and are integral to the region’s economy.
“With manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain all top of mind for business leaders, especially during the past several years, Business Facilities is pleased to recognize these locations that are helping lead the way to economic success for businesses across the nation,” Business Facilities Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove said.
With more than 3.600 manufacturers, 145,000 manufacturing workers, and 7,500 jobs announced since 2020, the Charlotte Region is a true manufacturing hub. Over the years, Charlotte’s manufacturing industry has diversified and advanced to include thousands of firms. With a low cost of doing business, large available labor pool, and a strong academic-industry collaboration on workforce training, Charlotte is a prime place for relocating or expanding manufacturing companies. Read more about the Charlotte Region’s strengths in the industry here.
