City of Hickory Business e-Newsletter | April 2025
New and Improved MyHKY Website
In addition to hosting a 360-degree interactive tour of the Hickory region, MyHKY.com has now been expanded to include a wealth of information for those looking to craft their home, visit, career, business, or education in Hickory. MyHKY.com is an economic development tool designed to market Hickory to prospective visitors, residents, and businesses outside of our area. The website includes the virtual tour, detailed information, links to local resources, important statistics, and the ability to sign up to receive email communications. Local realtors, businesses, HR professionals, and talent recruiters are encouraged to use MyHKY.com to promote Hickory. Go check it out!
Each month, we share resources vital to our communities and helpful for businesses. Featured this month are the Business Assistance Programs that we have at the City of Hickory.
Microenterprise Grants range from $1,000 to $4,000 based on the needs provided in the business plan. Grant funds may be used for business equipment, inventory, necessary fixed assets, marketing, and business promotion.
Small Business Loans up to $20,000 may be awarded to eligible businesses that create jobs, of which at least 51% are filled by low to moderate income individuals.
"If it wasn't for the Microenterprise Grant program, I would not have been able to purchase the state-of-the-art mats we now have!... It was truly through the efforts of our community and the City of Hickory, who have supported our business since the beginning, that we are able to thrive and grow in ways we never dreamed possible." - Pete Napier, Samurai Institute
For more information about these programs, please contact us at the Office of Business Development at the City of Hickory.
Hickory Metro CVB's Oh Hey - It's the 2025 Destination Guide
Hickory’s tourism economy is seeing rapid growth, with a 6.9% increase in visitors’ spending, now exceeding $170 million in the past 12 months.
Additionally, overnight trips have increased by nearly 5% year-over-year, hitting approximately 310,000. Check out the destination guidebook from Visit Hickory NC to see what Hickory has to offer!
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 the Business Development webpageor contact Dave Leonetti in the Office of Business Development at 828-323-7422.
