Crafting Hickory 2020 Magazine

2 | Crafting Hickory

Creating Momentum If you are looking for a life that’s wellcrafted, Hickory is the place to be. From delectable farm-to-table restaurants, outdoor adventures on Lake Hickory, and eclectic downtown shops, to a growing craft beer scene and an arts and cultural community to rival that of cities more than twice its size, Hickory offers a unique experience that enthralls residents and attracts visitors from all around.

The regional hub of over 365,000 people for commerce and recreation, Hickory continues to evolve and reinvent itself, capturing the attention and affection of people and publications far beyond its borders. Hickory was recognized in 2018

by National Geographic Travel as one of the Best Small Cities in America and by Forbes Magazine for being ranked first in the nation for lowest business costs, at 25% below the U.S. average. Hickory is located between Charlotte and Asheville at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along I-40, where a collective spirit of craftsmanship strengthens any endeavor with detail, artistry, and quality.

Hickory’s location is ideal for access to amenities, destinations, highways, and airports; close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and mountains, while just as accessible to big city attractions. Intersected by three major highways, I-40, U.S. 321, and U.S. 70, it is just an hour drive to Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Boone.

Hickory has a history of craftsmanship.

Hickory’s past and future prospects have drawn to this place a people with an eye for

detail and a hand for hard work, a passion for making something of themselves and of the future. Hickory is the perfect place to work, live, and raise a family.

Hickory truly offers the perfect balance of large city amenities and small town charm. From furniture capital to fiber optic center, natural wonder to fine arts splendor, recreational heaven to entertainment haven, small town values to big city drive…the people of Hickory have crafted a living and a life that’s rich in both tradition and promise. Hickory is Life. Well Crafted!

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4 | Crafting Hickory

Hickory Trail Growth and Economic Development Hickory is a city with a focus on the future. The work that the City is engaged in today is done with forethought and the desire to build a stronger, more connected Hickory for tomorrow.

That is the goal of Crafting Hickory, an overarching initiative to revitalize the community and spur economic development and growth.

The Hickory Trail, a catalyst for economic growth and revitalization, combines three phases of development – City Walk, Old Lenoir Road, and Riverwalk – to create a 10-mile pathway that connects amenities and destinations throughout the City from Lenoir-Rhyne University through downtown to Lake Hickory.

The Hickory Trail is an opportunity for Hickory to shape its growth for the next 15 plus years. The Trail will play an integral role in attracting and organizing a

segment of Hickory’s future growth around parks, trails, transit, downtown, and cultural, educational, and medical, as well as entertainment venues. The Trail, and the amenities throughout, will lead to job and population growth, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all City residents.

The City’s Office of Business Development worked with Senior Data Analyst Taylor Dellinger at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to develop a methodology for determining actionable and realistic objectives.

The Hickory Trail Report is an outline of the City’s economic goals for a onequarter mile buffer zone along the multiuse path through the City.

Based on that analysis, the Hickory Trail is designed to achieve the following goals by 2035:

JANUARY 19, 2020 | 5 Hollar Mill before Renovations

These goals will be achieved by implementing the following strategies: • Redevelop idle commercial and industrial properties to maximize underutilized assets.

• Provide opportunities to create regional destinations along the river and downtown.

• Focus on downtown housing, and establish an eighteen-hour downtown, attracting new citizens, including those from a younger demographic.

• Promote a healthy lifestyle with opportunities for walking, biking, canoeing, mountain biking, etc.

• Provide hospitality opportunities and linkages to quality of life events downtown, in the City’s parks, restaurants, and the SALT Block.

• Preserve values and aesthetics in existing neighborhoods along the corridor.

Hollar Mill after Renovations

“By having clearly defined goals, the City will be able to analyze its return on investment for these exciting projects,” said Assistant City Manager Rick Beasley, who leads the City’s Office of Business Development. “We look forward to the incredible opportunities for development and growth that the Hickory Trail will provide both along the buffer zone and throughout our community.”

The Hickory Trail Report is available in digital format on the City’s website, under Business tab, then Business Development.

For more information about the City of Hickory’s economic growth and revitalization projects, please visit www.CraftingHickory.com.

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6 | Crafting Hickory

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JANUARY 19, 2020 | 11 In 2014, the City of Hickory’s citizens passed a $40 million bond referendum, covering four major projects that are underway – Trivium Corporate Center, City Walk, Riverwalk, and Streetscapes & Gateways. These projects are spurring growth, development, and attracting visitors to Hickory. Throughout the process, leaders have worked with a 42-member Bond Implementation Commission to guide the projects and make recommendations to City Council. The City has been able to leverage those funds to secure an additional $50 million in grant funding to total $90 million. This enabled the City to extend the Hickory Trail to 10 miles, connecting different parts of the community with destinations and amenities.

Trivium Corporate Center Trivium Corporate Center is a 270-acre Class A business park, located between Robinwood Road and Startown Road, which is being jointly developed by the City of Hickory, Catawba County, and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Formerly known as Park 1764, Trivium Corporate Center is zoned for office and light industrial, and will be marketed by the EDC as an ideal location for corporate headquarters and advanced manufacturing, due to its convenient location. The name, Trivium Corporate Center, was selected to convey the industrial park’s modern facilities and advanced capabilities. The Latin word trivium means “the place where three roads meet,” which reflects the location of the Corporate Center at the intersection of I-40, U.S. 70, and U.S. 321, as well as its approved strapline, “Making. Working.

Better.”

Since breaking ground on Trivium in May 2018, the City of Hickory, Catawba County, and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced the signing of three tenants for the Trivium Corporate Center, Corning Incorporated, Isotopen Technologien München AG (ITM), and Cataler North America Corporation, a Toyota Motor Corporation affiliate. In August 2018, Corning Incorporated announced plans to build a cable manufacturing facility in the business park for its Optical Communications business segment. In December 2018, ITM, a group of specialized radiopharmaceutical companies, was announced as the second tenant. In December 2019, Cataler North America Corporation was announced.

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) will be creating approximately 110 jobs over the next five years and investing $60 million in this location.

“This new manufacturing plant underscores Corning’s commitment to Catawba County and to North Carolina, and we deeply appreciate the long-standing support of our state and local leaders,” said Dr. Bernhard Deutsch, Vice President and General Manager of Corning Optical Fiber and Cable. “Corning is investing in tomorrow’s growth today, as the growing number of connected devices fuels demand for our optical fiber and cable innovations. Our workforce here in Catawba County, and in North Carolina, is helping bring those innovations to life.”

Isotopen Technologien München AG (ITM) is constructing a manufacturing facility in the park for the production of a new generation of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer patients. They will be investing $12 million in machinery and equipment over the next five years. An additional $5 million will be invested in new facility construction in this location.

ITM plans to hire 137 employees for the new manufacturing operation, including chemical engineers, chemical equipment operators, quality control chemists, quality assurance auditors, health and safety engineers, industrial production managers, and other workers. Salaries will vary by position, but the average annual compensation will be above the Catawba County average wage of $41,531. The annual payroll impact will be more than $9.7 million. Hiring is expected to begin early 2020 with assistance by NC Works.

“We are delighted to start our first North American facility in Hickory at the Trivium Corporate Center,” said Steffen Schuster, CEO of ITM. “This new site will give us the opportunity to provide Targeted Radionuclide Diagnostics and Therapy to our U.S. customers as quickly as possible.

Hickory is an important biotech location, centrally located for distribution and very business friendly. We look forward to growing our company in Catawba County

and working with local communities in creating long–term employment.”

“Signing these tenants for Trivium Corporate Center opens a new chapter for economic development in Hickory -- made possible by the vision of our citizens who approved bond funds for projects to help the local economy grow and thrive,” said Hickory City Manager Warren Wood. “It was especially fitting that the first tenant to sign was Corning, a keystone of our business community for almost 40 years.” Wood added, “A pharmaceutical manufacturer, like ITM, is the exact type of client able to provide high-paying, quality jobs that the City and County envisioned when developing plans for the park.”

Cataler North America Corporation, a Toyota Motor Corporation affiliate, was announced as the third tenant for the Trivium Corporate Center business park on December 18, 2019. Cataler North America Corp., a subsidiary of Cataler Corporation headquartered in Kakegawa, Japan, plans to construct a 100,000-squarefoot (expandable to 300,000-square-foot) manufacturing facility for the production of automotive catalysts for some of the world’s largest producers of automobiles.

Over the next five years, Cataler North America plans to create 151 jobs and invest a minimum of $42 million in new facility construction, machinery, and equipment.

As part of the project, approximately 23 acres at Trivium Corporate Center Inc., will be sold to Cataler NA for its second North American production facility. Salaries for the new employees will vary by position and experience, with the overall average salary being higher than the Catawba County average wage. Once all positions are filled, the annual payroll impact will be more than $7 million.

For more information about Trivium Corporate Center, please visit www.TriviumCorporateCenter.com.

Cont. on page 12

12 | Crafting Hickory

Cont. from page 11

City Walk

City Park. The City Walk is expected to be completed by December 2020.

Hickory’s City Walk is a 10-foot-wide, multiuse path that will run approximately 1.7 miles along Main Avenue, from 7th Avenue NE (in front of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church at Lenoir-Rhyne University) through Downtown Hickory to 9th Street NW (in front of Deluxe Printing Group). The City Walk will connect destinations and amenities throughout the City, and be a catalyst for economic development and growth. An iconic bridge, featuring interwoven arches, will span across N.C. 127 and create a memorable landmark in the City of Hickory.

Other highlights along the path include Lenoir-Rhyne University, the SALT Block, Hickory City Hall, One North Center, Book Walk, Union Square, and Lowes Foods

Riverwalk

The Catawba River is one of Hickory’s most beautiful, natural assets. The Riverwalk will provide public access to Lake Hickory with a combination of waterfront and wooded trails. The Riverwalk will provide visitors with a variety of scenery and multiple vantage points to admire the beauty of Lake Hickory and the surrounding natural environments. The on-land trail will connect existing and future amenities, including the Lake Hickory Trails, paved greenway and Boy Scout Cabin at Rotary-Geitner Park, future Deidra Lackey Memorial Park, and the future pedestrian bridge across Lake

Hickory to Caldwell County. Through a public/private partnership with the City of Hickory, the Robert Lackey family plans to renovate Rotary-Geitner Park to create the Deidra Lackey Memorial Park, featuring a Lake House for events, an outdoor amphitheater on the water, a conservatory, gardens, and trails. When NCDOT completes improvements to U.S. 321, the current northbound bridge will be turned over to the City of Hickory for pedestrian use, furthering access and connectivity from the Riverwalk across Lake Hickory.

Streetscapes & Gateways

To further enhance and connect the City of Hickory, several streetscape projects and gateways are planned as part of the bond program and Crafting Hickory. Gateways mark major entrances to the city and encourage visitors to stop and explore the community. In April 2019, the City completed its first gateway. Drivers entering Hickory on U.S. 321 North are now greeted by a beautiful, artistic leaf sculpture at the U.S. 70 exit ramp.

Streetscape projects will expand the urban trail system and offer further connectivity.

The Old Lenoir Road streetscape will connect the City Walk to the Riverwalk.

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Additional streetscapes include the improvements on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard between U.S. 70 and Tate Boulevard, and the Book Walk, a path from the City Walk through the Ridgeview community to U.S. 70. Through a $17 million federal grant (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development – BUILD) from USDOT, the City will also be creating a pedestrian bridge and trail across U.S. 321 to L.P. Frans Stadium (home field of the Hickory Crawdads baseball team) and the Hickory Regional Airport.

New Development Spurred by Bond Projects

The goal of the bond projects is to spur economic development and growth throughout Hickory. This has already started, even before the projects are finished.

In addition to the Trivium corporations, residential and community developments were recently announced. More than 1,700 new housing units, including 260 affordable housing units, are in the works. New developments include: Center Crossing, The Estates at Mosteller – Phase II, Hawks Landing Luxury Apartments, Highland Park Apartments, The Gates at Highland, The Lodge at Hickory, One North Center, Preston Ridge, Startown Road Mixed-Use (Horizon REI), Sweetwater Townhomes/Hickory Greens, and Viewmont Square Court.

Renovations and expansions are also slated or have taken place. These include renovations and expansions at the Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, Graystone Eye-Hickory, Klingspor Abrasives USA, as well as a new HomeGoods store and Home2 Suites by Hilton.

For the past few months, Downtown Hickory, including Union Square, received a makeover.

As the renovations were being completed, two major private investments were announced for downtown - One North Center, LLC and Center Crossing.

One North Center, LLC announced plans in

The Lodge at Hickory

September 2019 to construct a $19 million upscale six-story complex in Downtown Hickory. This multi-family dwelling will offer 95 apartments on the upper floors and groundlevel commercial space for retail, restaurant, and business tenants, as well as a parking deck. Property amenities include an outdoor courtyard, pet-friendly environment, onsite pet washing station, fitness center, restaurant, elevator, valet trash pick-up, and lobby coffee bar. Construction has begun with estimated completion between late 2020 and early 2021.

Hickory City Manager Warren Wood stated, “One North Center will be a first-of-itskind downtown development that will help accommodate the burgeoning demand for rental property with close proximity to the City Walk and Book Walk, as well as restaurants, the farmer’s market, merchants, craft beer establishments and live music venues.

Residents of One North Center will be able to run or bike on the City Walk to Lenoir-Rhyne University, Riverwalk, and an array of popular attractions such as Lowes Foods City Park, the SALT Block, and many others.”

“We are excited for this chance to create such an inspirational space in Hickory to help foster a greater sense of community,” said David Looper, CEO of David E. Looper & Company.

“One North Center will help meet the needs of young professionals and other residents looking for rental options, modern amenities and walkable access to Hickory’s revitalized downtown.”

Affordable Housing

As momentum continues to build in Hickory and private investment leads to new marketrate housing opportunities, the City is also seeing much-needed affordable housing developments and programs for low-tomoderate income individuals and seniors.

Over the last five years, 260 affordable family units and senior units have been planned or built in Hickory.

Prior to the One North Center announcement, Woda Cooper Companies

announced plans to build a $7 million affordable rental community for seniors on the Book Walk path in Downtown Hickory.

Center Crossing will be a 50-unit community for seniors aged 55 and older, who earn up to 80 percent of area median income (AMI) with some units reserved for those at 40 percent, 50 percent, and 60 percent AMI. Construction is expected to begin spring 2020 with rental availability in spring 2021.

“When we heard about the City of Hickory’s bond program, which includes plans for new urban trails through the heart of Downtown Hickory, we knew our next project needed to be located near those pathways,” said Center Crossing’s lead developer Denis Blackburne, Senior Vice President for Woda Cooper Companies.

The City of Hickory will be constructing two single-family homes in 2020, under the new City Affordable Housing Production Program.

These units will be sold to a first-time homebuyer earning less than 80 percent of the area median income (approximately $44,000 for a family of four). If the program is successful, additional units will be added in the coming years.

Another positive trend is that the Hickory Housing Authority’s Nu Dimensions, Inc. pulled $6.8 million in building permits in August 2019 to renovate and modernize all 311 of its units.

In addition to these efforts, the City continues to partner with the Unifour HOME Consortium, the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, and Habitat for Humanity to leverage its Community Development Block Grant funds. These programs seek to rehabilitate existing owner-occupied homes, provide down payment assistance, and create new single-family affordable housing.

Continue to stay updated at www.CraftingHickory.com.

16 | Crafting Hickory

Hickory is a Destination “Hickory is bustling with visitors and tourism makes a large economic impact in our community,” said Mandy Pitts Hildebrand, Chief Executive Officer of the Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau. “I envision tourism to be even stronger in the future with the new public amenities like the City Walk, Riverwalk, Book Walk, updated sports fields, and our impressive arts and culture organizations and productions, as well as our evergreen science, art, historic, aviation and furniture museums and centers.”

North Carolina is the sixth most visited state in the United States and out of 100 counties in North Carolina, Catawba County is ranked 16th when it comes to visitor spending. Governor Roy Cooper and Visit North Carolina released 2018 Tourism Impact Numbers and visitors to Catawba County spent $293.05 million in 2018, an increase of 5.69 percent from

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2017. There are about 2,500 tourism professionals in Catawba County alone. All the counties in the Hickory Metro, including Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, and Alexander are thriving when it comes to visitor spending and all of us work well together.

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“We continue to be known as the ‘Furniture Capital of the World’ because people continue to come to Hickory to buy furniture that’s designed and manufactured in our region,” Hildebrand added.

“We are a destination for business and leisure travelers and have seen an increase over several years in all categories. Also, Hickory is known to be the place to hold conferences. More than 200 meetings, events, and conferences are held at the Hickory Metro Convention Center each year,” said Hildebrand. “There are more than 1,500 hotel rooms, several bed and breakfasts, and more, as we close 2019. Fortunately, local private investors are planning to build a new hotel near the convention center. Another local investor is updating an old mill in Downtown Hickory that will add 14 guest rooms for visitors.”

The Hickory Conover Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) Board is in the process of developing plans to update the Hickory Metro Convention Center with an $8 to $10 million dollar renovation and expansion. “The goal is to finalize design plans in early 2020 and get moving on the project as fast as possible,” said Hildebrand. “Working in the hospitality industry in Hickory is a real joy and I know that the future looks even brighter for all of us.”

Not only is Hickory a destination for furniture and conferences, Hickory has, and continues to have, a focus on sports tourism. It’s all about partnership in the Hickory Metro. The Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department, along with the partnership with the Hickory Metro Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, brings a variety of sports tournaments to Hickory. These tournaments and events include soccer, tennis, basketball, softball, fishing, gymnastics, and cycling, bringing hundreds, and sometimes thousands, to this area.

Baseball diamonds at Stanford Park were transformed to a camping ground in September 2019 for more than 700 cyclists, traveling across the state on their bicycles with Cycle NC. This is just one example of dozens of successful partnerships throughout 2019.

For more information about North Carolina Tourism go to www.VisitNC.com and for more information about the Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau go to www.visithickorymetro.com or call (828) 322-1335. For sports tourism through the City, contact Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Director Mark Seaman at (828) 322-7046.

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CRAFTING TOMORROW’S LEADERS: Education and Workforce Development With revitalized economic energy and growth occurring throughout the region, it is also important to invest in education and workforce development. Catawba County is committed to crafting tomorrow’s leaders through the game-changing K-64 education initiative. K-64 is a systemic approach to shaping future careers and meeting workforce demands by connecting students and employers throughout the educational curriculum. From learning in technologyrich environments to experiencing local and global employment possibilities, K-64 actively engages students of all ages in preparing for viable and sustainable careers throughout their lifetime.

To accomplish this, K-64 focuses on six priority areas:

• 1-to-World Technology - connecting students with the technology they need to optimize learning inside and outside the classroom; • Character and Soft Skills Development ensuring students are prepared to engage in work and in life by learning critical soft skills such as goal setting, interpersonal communication, and team building; • Tech-Savvy Educators - Continually equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate leadingedge technologies into lesson plans and classroom environments; • Work-based Learning - Facilitating job shadowing, internships, co-ops, workstudy programs and apprenticeships to connect students with global career opportunities and local employers;

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JANUARY 19, 2020 | 21 • Employer Engagement - Cultivating collaborative partnerships with businesses to invest in the development of a we/Iprepared and highly engaged workforce of tomorrow; and • Career Adaptability - Ensuring access to relevant educational services and training opportunities to help adults develop nimble skill sets and assure career longevity.

True to the collaborative spirit of the region, local educational institutions, business organizations, and community partners work together to support K-64, including Catawba Valley Community College, Catawba County Schools, Hickory Public Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools, Catawba County Government, Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, and Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Hickory Public Schools: “Extending Excellence” From regional, state, national, and international awards in academic competitions and excelling with superior ratings in the arts…to leading scores in athletics and the enhancement of character education, the students (and the faculty/ staff) of Hickory Public Schools have collectively achieved inspiring success stories.

Hickory Public Schools (HPS) offers families more than a journey of excellence in education. The children who attend HPS, a district of educational service since 1903, experience life-changing opportunities, setting a course for success in higher education, the workforce, or the military.

“Getting from point A to the destination doesn’t always mean following the same journey as everyone else. I hit my stride during my junior year at Hickory High School—and realized that I could follow my own path to achieve my desired goals at Hickory Public Schools.”

-Mac Johnson, National Merit Scholar, Full Scholarship to University of Virginia (pre-med)

“Hard work does pay off! I still can’t believe I won 1st place at the International competition for HOSA in pharmacy science.

We beat China, Canada, and many other countries! I am thankful for my education at HPS!” -Chloe Lum, 1st Place, International HOSAFuture Health Professionals Competition, Pharmacy Science “Always be willing to learn more. Never get to a place where you think you know everything. Take any negative and change it to a positive. Never be ashamed of where you came from. Do not be ashamed of your skin color—take pride in who you are.

Dream big and strive for good work—no matter if it’s something on the smaller scale or a larger project. Our experiences, the good and the bad, can help us to grow and move forward with something we love and enjoy. I love the small-town atmosphere of Hickory with the big arts; and I am thankful for the fantastic memories of growing up here. ” -Marcus Phillips, 2019 HHS Student of the Year, Full Scholarship to The Studio School, Los Angeles, CA. HPS serves approximately 4,100 students in Hickory. Graduating seniors have earned nearly $30 million in collective scholarships over the past five years.

Several contributing factors have helped to enhance this award-winning school district, including: • The K-64 Initiative, with one-to-one technology (Chromebooks) provided to every student in middle and high school in the County.

• Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School (HCAM) continues to add

pathways for career education, including a new Health Science Academy. The magnet high school plans to advance the school’s technology with the use of drones—while broadening the academies for graphic design, computer programming, and photography/video production.

• The HPS flagship high school, Hickory High, has expanded course offerings through the Advanced Placement (AP) pathway—with the addition of the AP Diploma and the AP International Diploma.

• Hickory High (as well as the two district middle schools, 6th-8th grades), offers the only orchestra program in the county.

The broad scope of “excellence in the academics, the arts, and the athletics” continues to flourish.

• Dual Language Immersion (Spanish) is now offered in two elementary schools, with the expansion to a third elementary school starting in fall 2020.

• HPS has more than doubled the participation of students enrolled in College and Career Pathways through the partnership with Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC); and the added partnership with Lenoir-Rhyne University grows annually—with a university scholars program for high school juniors and seniors.

• Longview Elementary, for the second year in a row, ranks in the top five percent in NC for student growth with end-of-year testing.

In addition to excellent educational opportunities in the K-12 school systems, Cont. on page 22

22 | Crafting Hickory Cont. from page 21 Hickory is fortunate to be home to one of the nation’s leading community colleges, as well as a flourishing liberal arts university.

Catawba Valley Community College Offering more than 50 programs of study and enrolling 4,800 students, Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) is a comprehensive learning community that provides a multitude of collegiate, industrial/vocational, and life-skills/personal enrichment experiences.

CVCC is ranked as one of the top community colleges in the nation and is widely recognized for its innovative programs that are cultivating a new generation of doers and makers and providing individuals with the tools and training to be successful in today’s workforce.

Catawba Valley Community College Workforce Solutions Complex, Furniture and Manufacturing Academies.

Hickory has a rich history of craftsmanship and furniture manufacturing. Today, the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy at CVCC is an industry-driven training program designed by local furniture manufacturers to prepare students for skilled positions that are in high demand by one of the region's largest employers.

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JANUARY 19, 2020 | 23 “Partnerships created through programs such as the Catawba Valley Manufacturing Academy, Furniture Academy, K-64, and the development of unique facilities like the Workforce Solutions Complex and the ValleySim Hospital are evidence of the momentum around exceptional talent development in Hickory and throughout the region,” said Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of CVCC. The CVCC Workforce Solutions Complex is a leading-edge 80,400-square-foot facility housing technology and engineering programs. The $25 million project is the culmination of many years of planning and collaboration with the three public school systems.

The building includes state-of-the-art classrooms, offices, labs, and shop areas for students studying HVAC systems, welding, automotive mechanics, machining, engineering, mechatronics, and more.

The new Workforce Solutions Complex will ensure a future pipeline of talent for high-tech jobs, making our area even more attractive to new and expanding industry.

CVCC also recently celebrated the grand opening of Phase I of its Public Safety Training Center. Located off of Sweetwater Road in Hickory, the new 55,000-squarefoot training center pad will be used by the college to teach students, as well as seasoned public service professionals in fire safety, emergency medical service, and law enforcement.

“Catawba Valley Community College is committed to developing talent in partnership with the City of Hickory to assure that our community will continue to thrive as an economic catalyst for our entire region. We work in concert with city officials to identify opportunities and aggressively

pursue those that create a significant return on investment for our citizens,” said Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of CVCC. Lenoir-Rhyne University Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and over 30 graduate degree programs. With a 13:1 student-tofaculty ratio, LR enrolls more than 2,750 undergraduate and graduate students and has had 11 consecutive years of enrollment growth.

“Lenoir-Rhyne University is incredibly fortunate to call Hickory home,” said Dr. Fred Whitt, President of the University.

“Hickory has everything Lenoir-Rhyne could ask for—a thriving downtown and business community, beautiful outdoor and recreation areas, and fabulous restaurants, activities and community events.”

“I regularly hear from prospective and current students about how much they enjoy the city of Hickory, and their engagement with Hickory goes far beyond simply attending school here. They do community service at local nonprofits and volunteer in schools, they intern and work at companies and organizations throughout the area, and many of them choose to stay in the community after graduation.”

The City Walk project will further connect LR students with the Hickory community by creating a direct link to the recently renovated downtown, future Riverwalk, and Lake Hickory, as well as other destinations and amenities throughout the city.

In October 2019, LR expanded its Catawba County Promise to provide the same tuition benefits statewide. Now called the Lenoir-Rhyne Promise, the program offers a minimum of 50 percent off tuition to any North Carolina resident who is a first-year undergraduate student with a 3.5 or higher high school GPA or to a transfer undergraduate student with more than 30 attempted hours from an accredited North Carolina community college and a 3.5 GPA. The program, which covers tuition only, applies to new and full-time undergraduate students starting fall 2020.

Dr. Whitt added, “Today, our enrollment continues to grow, our graduate programs are flourishing, and new buildings are going up to enhance the student experience and better welcome visitors to our campus.

And as we look to the future, we are committed to continuing our productive and collaborative partnership with the City.”

24 | Crafting Hickory

DOERS AND MAKERS

Hickory is a city for doers and makers seeking a wellrounded community.

No one knows Hickory better than those who work here and are fortunate enough to call Hickory home. Learn about the Hickory community through the eyes of locals, as they share their stories of creating a well-crafted life in Hickory.

Dr. Akram Mahmoud Dr. Akram Mahmoud moved to Hickory to perform neurosurgery for Frye Regional Medical Center’s Brain Center. When asked what he enjoys most about being in Hickory, Dr. Mahmoud responded that it’s the camaraderie and the people that make the community special.

“

The people are just so down to earth, laid back. I love the diversity here. It’s so phenomenal being able to talk to different people from different walks of life. Hickory is a jewel. It’s a diamond in the rough that has a lot to offer.

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JANUARY 19, 2020 | 25

Elizabeth and Kou Yang

Gretchen Oetting

Born in Laos, Kou Yang lived in several states across the U.S. before settling in Hickory with his wife, Elizabeth. For the last sixteen years, the Yangs have enjoyed raising their kids here and attending the variety of downtown events.

Gretchen Oetting is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, but she has lived all across the globe - from Bangkok, Thailand and Jerusalem, Israel, to Florida, Arizona, and Ohio in the States. When her husband’s career as a civil engineer brought their family to Hickory, Gretchen quickly fell in love with the city’s small town charm and big city amenities.

“

Hickory is home for us. We love it because it’s big enough to have things to do, but also diverse enough to get different perspectives on life and see different walks of life. We just love going to Downtown Hickory and interacting with the people. It’s a great vibe when the community comes out together.

Gaither Hambrick

Being born and raised in the area, Gaither Hambrick has strong Hickory roots. After attending college in Greenville and Charlotte, NC, Gaither returned home to Hickory and plans to stay.

“

I like the small town feel of Hickory and how everybody knows each other. The community is awesome. It’s very tight-knit. I can walk into the Arcade downtown and sit down at the bar and they know my order. You feel right at home here in Hickory.

“

This town has everything you need. There are a lot of opportunities for either free or inexpensive entertainment and enjoyment through sporting events, through the art museum, through the science center, through the public libraries, or just the parks that are in and around town. Other benefits include just enjoying nature and the outdoors, and the minor league sports team, the Crawdads.

Clise Plant

Clise Plant grew up around Knoxville, TN and spent time in larger cities like Nashville. Her family has now built a life here in Hickory, where they enjoy the city’s hospitality and family-friendly activities.

“

If you’re looking for a place to raise a family, also create opportunities, and really just be a part of something great, transformative…this is the place to be!

Cont. on page 26

26 | Crafting Hickory Cont. from page 25

To watch video testimonials from more of Hickory’s doers and makers,

visit

HickoryWellCrafted.com

Alex Lee Kimberly George, Vice President, Communications and Corporate Citizenship Alex Lee was founded in Hickory, NC in 1931 and has maintained its headquarters here ever since. The business now includes Merchants Distributors LLC and Lowes Foods LLC. Merchants Distributors (MDI) is a privately-owned wholesale grocery store distributor headquartered in Hickory.

MDI supplies over 600 retail food stores with food and non-food items in 12 Eastern states. Lowes Foods began in 1954 as a single store in North Wilkesboro, and has grown to become a major supermarket chain operating in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The company grew rapidly during the 1960s, '70s, and early '80s. Lowes Foods was acquired by Merchants Distributors, Inc. (MDI) in 1984 and continued its expansion. Today Lowes Foods operates approximately 75 stores.

“Hickory is a great place to raise a family with many things to offer such as a strong arts community and great outdoor activities.

Hickory also continues to focus on growth and improvement with projects such as the Hickory Trail and a reinvigorated downtown.

These investments make Hickory a better place to live and work which helps us to recruit and retain strong talent resulting in growth for the business and the community.”

Rock House Farm family of Brands CENTURY | Highland House | Hancock & Moore | Jessica Charles Comer S. Wear, VP of Marketing Century Furniture is one of the world's largest privately owned manufacturers of upper-end residential furniture.

Harley Ferguson Shuford, Sr. established Century Furniture Company in 1947 as a selling agent for local upholstery lines. A year later, he built a casegoods plant in Hickory, North Carolina and manufactured an 18th century style mahogany dining suite that shipped the following January.

Century continues to invest in its domestic operations while sourcing unique materials from around the globe.

Today the Century family consists of over 900 associates all focused on meeting the challenges of today while planning for the opportunities of the future.

“Our founder, Harley Shuford, believed strongly in the value of community and the importance of giving back. Century and our associates have always been deeply committed to OUR local community. Hickory is home, and its people are our family.”

area. CommScope maintains a strong presence in the North Carolina, especially in Catawba County. The corporate headquarters houses more than 200 employees, employs approximately 1,900 in the state and approximately 30,000 worldwide. CommScope is a Fortune 250 company.

CommScope has been located in Hickory for more than 40 years and CommScope’s President and CEO Eddie Edwards credits Hickory and Catawba County for the company’s success.

“Hickory and Catawba County are vibrant, growing areas, attracting more families and businesses because of all the improvements taking place,” Edwards says.

“Hickory is becoming a destination for many people and Catawba County is one of the more than 30 counties that have a high percentage of tech occupations in the state.

We are proud that the innovation, research and development conducted here is fueling telecommunications globally.”

Edwards also highlighted the county’s K-64 Initiative that is attracting more tech jobs to the area.

“This initiative is not only important to help the area thrive and remain globally competitive, but also for students and residents looking to improve their skills and careers,” Edwards said.

CommScope Eddie Edwards, President and CEO In 1976, Frank Drendel and Jearld Leonhardt started CommScope as an independent company after they purchased the Comm/Scope product line from Superior Continental Cable in Hickory, NC. CommScope is redefining tomorrow by shaping the future of wired and wireless networks around the world. CommScope’s products are deployed in: • The world’s largest buildings, stadiums and outdoor spaces • Data centers of all shapes, sizes and complexity • Cellular sites on towers, rooftops, streetlights and indoors • Cable broadband networks around major manufacturing facilities in the

CornerStone United, Inc. Richard Swartzel, President “As the Square has been re-developed, improvements have been announced towards West Hickory and surveyors are designing the route for City Walk – we’re excited to be located in an area of renewal and growth. Many of our employees (myself included) like to walk at lunch – with additional restaurants opening and convenient access to City Walk – not only does this improve the satisfaction of our current employees, but it helps us recruit new staff as we continue to grow.”

ANNOUNCING THE

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28 | Crafting Hickory

REGIONAL HUB OF 365,000 PEOPLE.

Life. Well Crafted.

Workforce Training.

Excellent Location.

Trivium Corporate Center Opportunities.

Economic Development Growth.