News

Inside the Chamber: MFG Day 2018   This week, on Friday, October 5th, we will recognize Manufacturing Day, a celebration of a significant piece of who we are at the core: people who make and do; crafters and innovators; a people who produce products that are shipped all over the world to solve problems and fill vital needs.  This day, which annually occurs on the first Friday in October, was ...read more

Talent & Opportunity Meet at Talent Jam Hickory Metro  Talent Jam: Hickory Metro, Presented by My Work Choice, is a regional mash-up of a job fair, speed professional matchmaking and a connection event.  On Thursday, October 11th from 5:30pm – 8:00pm at Lenoir Rhyne University in the Belk Centrum Auditorium in Hickory, your Catawba County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation will take a ...read more

The following was written by Nathan Huret, Director of Existing Industry Services with the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation about his recent experience in representing the Catawba Military Taskforce for “Operation Boss Lift” at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas:   “The sign read, “It has been zero days since our last rattlesnake incident.”   Joking, but quite truthful – the sign was ...read more

Inside the Chamber Column:  "Deeper and wider" According to our recent Partnership Survey we distributed and analyzed in early 2018 out of the 670+ who responded, 47.7% stated that they are facing a shortage in talent that restricts their ability to meet demand.  Furthermore, 49.2% stated that they expect their level of employment to continue to increase over the next twelve months.  When asked ...read more

Inside the Chamber:   Julyt 26, 2018Announcing our 2018-2019 Class of Leadership Catawba   I am pleased to announce our 2018-2019 Class of Leadership Catawba!  This program is not meant for individuals who prefer to passively sit back in their seats and observe.  Catawba County needs community leaders, like those listed below, who seek to understand the critical issues facing Catawba County and ...read more

Inside the Chamber – June 24, 2018Enrollment is now open for the 2018-2019 Class of Leadership Catawba that will kick off on August 9th. The purpose of Leadership Catawba is to create a pipeline of individuals from business, government and non-profits who are aware of all aspects of Catawba County – our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats – and who accept the challenge to go forth ...read more

Inside the Chamber: “50 Ideas in 50 Minutes” Last Tuesday, Connie Saunders, Shareholder Relations & Events Manager, and I had the privilege of co-facilitating a workshop we titled, “50 Ideas in 50 Minutes” at our “Tapping Into Talent Symposium.” The human resource professionals and senior level leaders from business and industry who attended spent valuable time with peers comparing notes, ...read more

Inside the Chamber: “Tapping Into Talent”  The economic climate in Catawba County is healthy – unemployment is low and sales volume and business confidence are high as indicated by our 2018 Partnership Survey results.  As a direct result of these key indicators of a tight labor market, it was no surprise that attracting and retaining qualified talent was cited as the most critical community issue ...read more

Inside the Chamber: 4/11/2018   Volunteerism is alive and well in Catawba County. I know, because I have asked many of you about your level of commitment to our community. As I travel throughout our county, meeting with many of you each week and hearing your stories, I see firsthand the passion you have. You not only genuinely love where you live, but generously pour yourselves into your ...read more

This week’s “Inside the Chamber” was authored by Kim Dahlsten, Vice President of Operations at the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce  3.6.2018   Inside the Chamber:  Dedication to Thin Mints   I don’t know about you, but I see Girl Scouts and their cookies everywhere these days.  I see them on my trip to the grocery store, at the mall, at a local restaurant and even at the craft store.  Who ...read more

2.27.2018 – Inside the Chamber  “Welcome Home Hickory Metro”   "At the end of the day, we're not saying, 'hire a vet' or 'hire a service member because it's the right thing to do. That is a given. What we're saying is, 'Hire someone because they're a proven success in driving bottom line results,' "said Kimberly Williams, Executive Director of NC4ME (North Carolina for Military Employment), at ...read more

Inside the Chamber:  Others are catching windWe all ooze Catawba County’s new slogan, “Making. Living. Better.” Why? Because it is us, about us and what we do.  We are a community of makers and doers, who enjoy a good quality of life while working together to make a difference for the better. And guess what? Others are starting to catch wind.   Allow me to remind you of some of the positive ...read more

Inside the Chamber: Your Chamber ROI  Why do you invest in the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce? To support the economic viability of Catawba County? To take advantage of professional development opportunities for you and your team? To become more involved in the community? As a platform to connect with other business owners and representatives? Like any investment, you expect to yield a ...read more

Inside the Chamber: 2017 Annual Report Released Catawba County Chamber of Commerce Shareholders and Investors, thank you for your partnership and investment that led to the advancement of our mission in 2017.  We're proud to release our Annual Report which features many of your Chamber's success stories in the areas of talent recruitment and development, entrepreneurship and small business ...read more

Guest Column - Inside the Chamber, 12/12/17  “Hello, my name is Tiffany Brooks and I’ve had the privilege to serve as the Intern at the Chamber of Commerce for the past several months. I’m pleased to say, I will walk across the stage this week and proudly become a Lenoir-Rhyne University Alumnus! In addition to having a degree in Business Management, I’m a reliable, driven, bubbly professional ...read more

THANK YOU to our 2017 Chamber Investors!  These organizations are within an elite group of businesses known as our Chamber Investors.  They have made a vital commitment to driving economic prosperity & business competitiveness success in Catawba County through their voluntarily enhanced annual investment. Please allow me the opportunity to recognize them for their corporate leadership and ...read more

Inside the Chamber:  November 9, 2017   The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with Lenoir-Rhyne University and the Kauffman Foundation to promote and co-host Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), an annual, international initiative aimed to inspire and recognize entrepreneurs. Kicking off today, Sunday, November 12th , will be a week-long of events happening ...read more

10.12.2017 Inside the Chamber: You’ve Got to Jump!  I would like to invite you to join us for our 2017 Women's Leadership Conference, “You’ve Got to JUMP!” presented by Frye Regional Medical Center on November 8th at 74 South at Moretz Mills. Utilize this opportunity for high-quality professional development training, a team building retreat or as simply a way to treat your best team members.  ...read more

9.20.2017 Inside the Chamber: 2017 Edison Project Finalists Announced  The 6th Annual Edison Project Entrepreneurial Competition is a celebration and recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Greater Hickory Metro. After much deliberation over the record of applicants, we are proud to announce this year’s finalists.     These entrepreneurs, who have an idea for an innovative, viable ...read more