Two local universities have received a Research Activity Designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education: The University of NC at Charlotte has received an R1 designation and Appalachian State University has received an R2 designation. 

Catawba County is home to one of the most impressive clusters of fiber companies in the world.

Telecommunications

Two of Catawba County's largest employers also happen to be two of the world's largest producers of fiber optic cables. Supporting these industry giants—CommScope and Corning Optical Communications, along with Prysmian—are a number of smaller suppliers that combine to create one of the most impressive clusters of fiber companies in the world.

Corning Optical Communications in Hickory's Trivium Corporate Center. The company has added a second building in Trivium and a facility in Newton.