City of Hickory Monthly e-Newsletter | February 2025
Celebrate Black History
February is Black History Month, which is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. In honor of this, there are several events organized by the City of Hickory for all people of all ages to enjoy and pay tribute to African American heritage and culture. Upcoming events include a Black History Month Reading Challenge, an informative program about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of WWII, a screening of the film "The Six Triple Eight," and the 5th Annual Living Wax Museum.
Nominations for Community Relations Council's 2025 Human Relations Awards
The City of Hickory Community Relations Council (CRC) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Human Relations Awards. These annual awards are designed to honor individuals and groups that have gone above and beyond in promoting good human relations in the Hickory community. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 28.
CRC Project Grants - The Community Relations Council is currently seeking projects to fund for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and invites qualified groups or individuals to consider submitting grant requests. Twice a year, nonprofit agencies, churches, institutions, schools, and individuals are invited to submit grant requests for their projects that support the CRC’s mission. Priority will, generally, be given to projects that deliver the greatest impact on positive human relations, that are most effective in bringing different sub-communities of Hickory together, and that provide services and resources to the people who can most benefit. Grant awards typically range from $250 to $2000. The deadline to apply for grant funding during the CRC’s spring grant cycle is the end of February.
Nonprofit CDBG Funds - The City of Hickory is now accepting applications for nonprofit Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Successful applicants would expect to receive grants between $5,000 and $15,000 for public services programs that benefit low and moderate income people in the City of Hickory in support of its housing and community development goals. A public meeting to learn more about the City’s CDBG programs and the grant application requirements will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Hickory City Hall.
City of Hickory Earns Awards for Financial Excellence and Water Quality
The City of Hickory received its second consecutive Triple Crown Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. GFOA's Triple Crown is an honor awarded to governments that have received GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
The City of Hickory’s Water Treatment Facility was among 79 facilities across the state to receive the prestigious North Carolina Area Wide Optimization Program Award for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards in 2023. This distinction recognizes Hickory's Public Utilities Department for outstanding turbidity removal and meeting performance goals that are significantly more stringent than state and federal standards.
Calendar of Events
COFFEE WITH A COP
Tuesday, February 4
9 a.m.
Starbucks at Target (1910 Catawba Valley Blvd SE)
HICKORY CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, February 4
6 p.m.
City Council Chambers at City Hall
CLASSIC FILMS WITH JOE BARRETT: THE WAY WE WERE (1973)
Thursday, February 6
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
CRAFTED LEARNING: BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS
Friday, February 7
2-3 p.m.
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
BE MY VALENTINE: MOTHER SON AND DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE
Friday, February 7
6-8 p.m.
Tickets Required
Ridgeview Recreation Center
CELEBRATION OF THE HEART: 4TH ANNUAL WIDOW AND WIDOWER LUNCHEON
