Catawba County offers a strategic East Coast location with 60% of the U.S. population within a one-day drive. Advanced manufacturing anchors the economy, with over 400 firms employing roughly 30% of the workforce—placing the Hickory MSA among the nation’s leaders in manufacturing concentration. Reliable talent pipelines are supported by Catawba Valley Community College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and Appalachian State University’s Hickory campus. The Hickory MSA is consistently recognized for its low cost of doing business and exceptional affordability. Anchored by I-40 with rapid access to I-77 and I-85, the region provides efficient connectivity to major metros and logistics corridors across the Southeast.