The City of Hickory is trending! Hickory is becoming more and more popular as a destination, as an influx of people begin to both move to and visit the City. For those moving to Hickory, they can rest assured that Hickory was recently ranked as the most affordable metro area to live in the entire United States, and ranks 31st in overall Best Places to Live in the United States! For those staying for a short period, or visiting, they can be excited about Hickory ranking No. 6 for The South’s Top 8 Hidden Tracks of the Southern Music Scene, and enjoy other activities such as attending a minor league Crawdads baseball game or visiting an art exhibit and science attraction in the SALT Block. With Hickory rated as the second best place to retire in the state of North Carolina, and one of the ten best places in the United States to live near the mountains, among many other exceptional ratings, it is no wonder why people are buzzing about Hickory. Hickory’s expanding culture of arts, restaurants, music, and the outdoors are capturing national attention. This is just a glimpse of why Hickory is home to a Life. Well Crafted.
To learn more about Hickory’s recognitions and national rankings, visit Hickory’s Trending.
CVCC Small Business Center
CVCC’s Small Business Center, located between their East and Main Campus in the Corporate Development Center, serves as an opportunity for business owners and those starting a business to gather resources needed, while also offering any help or assistance to support Hickory’s businesses. The Small Business Center also offers seminars and workshops to business owners and to anyone developing a business to learn more about utilizing social media in advertising, tax overviews, and insurance information, among other topics. These programs are at no cost to attendees, and offer valuable insight into Hickory and its expanding businesses. However, if a group event isn’t for you, CVCC Small Business Center also offers one-on-one business counseling sessions that are entirely confidential, giving business owners opportunities to discuss the generalities or specifics of business planning without the company of other businesses, also free of charge. CVCC Small Business Center exemplifies Hickory’s Business. Well Crafted. motto and continues to help businesses in Hickory.
To learn more about CVCC’s Small Business Center’s upcoming seminars and workshops, visit CVCC’s Small Business website. To schedule a one-on-one counseling session, register using this sign-up link.
Networking Event
Hickory’s Small Business Networking Event is on Monday, June 13th, at Moretz Mills from 5-6:30 p.m. This event will be an opportunity for local business owners to learn about ways to get involved in the City’s four business districts, receive updates about City programs and projects, and learn about resources to help their businesses, while meeting other local business owners. There will also be an opportunity to visit different agencies’ tables to gather information about operating a business in Hickory. This event will offer light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres, and will be set up in the lower level entryway of Moretz Mills and in the waiting area of Vitality.
For more information about this event, please email Dave Leonetti at dleonetti@hickorync.gov.
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments and specifically the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) have continually provided guidance to local businesses and oversight for local NCWorks Career Centers. The WPWDB’s goal is to lead local community and business through collaboration, problem solving, and assistance to workforces in need, creating successful businesses across the Hickory area. In the past year, WPWDB supported the people of Hickory by providing 155 scholarships and 18 internships for those in the workforce. Currently, the board is re-certifying its NCWorks Career Centers to continue to provide services to Hickory’s businesses. NCWorks Career Advisors provide free career services every Wednesday at the Ridgeview Branch Library from 1-5 p.m. WPWDB offers numerous services, including career advice, resume writing, and job eligibility education.
To learn more about the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board, or the NCWorks Career Centers, contact Business Services Consultant Matthew Xiong at Matthew.Xiong@wpcog.org or visit the WPWDB’s website.
The City of Hickory is committed to promoting business and economic development and offers a range of incentives to new and expanding businesses. For more information on available programs and incentives, visit Business Developmentor contact Dave Leonetti in the Office of Business Development at 828-323-7422.
