Thriving hub for
emerging textile innovation...
Catawba County is where history meets innovation—a place with deep textile roots and a future built on the next generation of advanced manufacturing. Our community of makers and doers enjoys a high quality of life while working together to build businesses that thrive locally and impact globally. Whether you’re a nimble startup with a game-changing idea or an established company ready to take the next leap, you’ll find that Catawba County offers the ideal business environment, connectivity, and workforce to support your growth.
With a heritage grounded in textiles, we remain a national leader in woven and nonwoven fabrics, medical textiles, and high-end apparel. While other regions have moved on, we’ve doubled down, evolving our textile expertise to meet the needs of modern industries. From socks and bedding to technical fabrics for healthcare and beyond, our area’s textile companies continue to innovate and grow.
Today, we invite the next generation of textile businesses—those ready to disrupt markets and build new ones—to join us in Catawba County. Here, you’ll be part of a business ecosystem designed to help you succeed, with global connections, industry-specific support, and a workforce development system uniquely aligned to your needs. It’s not just about building a business—it’s about being part of a legacy that continues to shape the future.
Let's build that future together.
Low Business Costs...
Cost of Living Index
Charlotte=97
NC=94
US=100
Source: JobsEQ
% of the average
N.C. county tax rate
$0.3985 per $100 valuation
Additional municipal taxes range from $0.38-$0.49 per $100 valuation.
% of national average for industrial electricity
6.89 cents/kWh
Source: US Energy Info Administration
N.C. Corporate income tax rate
dropping to 0% in 2030
Most competitive in the U.S.
% of the U.S. average wage for textile manufacturing
Source: JobsEQ
% of the U.S. average wage for manufacturing
Source: JobsEQ
Experienced Workforce...
45-minute drive time population
Source: JobsEQ
45-minute drive time civilian labor force
Source: JobsEQ
net commuters each day;
the only county in the Charlotte region that is net positive
Source: JobsEQ
employed by
N.C. textile manufacturers
Source: JobsEQ
employed by textile manufacturers within 45-minute drive time
Source: JobsEQ
manufacturers in Catawba County
Source: JobsEQ
unionized
manufacturer
(yes, one)
Reach Customers, Suppliers, & Resources...
of the U.S. population
within 1 day's drive
Charlotte, NC
59 miles
1 hr
Charleston, SC
258 miles
3 hrs 45 min
Nashville, TN
368 miles
5 hrs 30 min
Louisville, KY
433 miles
6 hrs 30 min
Detroit, MI
438 miles
9 hrs 30 min
Chicago, IL
620 miles
11 hrs
Spartanburg, SC
87 miles
1 hr 30 min
Atlanta, GA
258 miles
3 hrs 45 min
Washington, DC
400 miles
6 hrs
Cincinnati, OH
438 miles
6 hrs 30 min
New York, NY
632 miles
9 hrs 30 min
Miami, FL
778 miles
12 hrs
Catawba County is less than one hour from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport , the 7th busiest airport in the world with 186 nonstop destinations and
39 international destinations.
Advanced Textile Companies & Suppliers in the Region
Industry Organizations/Textile Research Centers in N.C.
Train & Upskill Workers...
Catawba County Colleges & Universities
Technical/Community College
Total Enrollment: 12,951
(Curriculum & Continuing
Education)
Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Systems
Industrial Systems
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering
Computer Integrated Machining
Supply Chain Mgmt.
Information Tech.
Business Admin.
Accounting
Marketing
4-year liberal arts university
Enrollment: 2,230
Accounting
Business Administration
Computer Science
Information Technology
International Business Management
Marketing
MBA
4-year public university
Enrollment: 511
at Hickory Campus
(Total Enrollment : 21,253)
Accounting
Apparel Design & Merchandising
Technology, Engineering &Design
Workforce Leadership & Development
Computer Information Systems
International Business
Management - General
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Sustainable Business
Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Regional Textile Programs
The Textile Technology Center at Gaston College has played a significant role in helping the North Carolina textile industry remain competitive, manufacture quality products and maintain a well-trained workforce.
A.A.S. in Textile Technology
Design, General
Textile Management
Textile Technician
Certificate in Textile Technology
The Wilson College of Textiles at NC State is considered one of the top textile institutions in the entire world for education, research and innovation.
B.S. in Textile Engineering
B.S. in Textile Technology
M.S. Textile Chemistry
M.S. Textile Engineering
M.S. Textiles
Master of Textiles
PhD. Fiber & Polymer Science
Ph.D. Textile Technology Management
Clemson is looking to the future is with its Advanced Materials Innovation Complex (AMIC), a facility that will represent the University's most technologically advanced facility, further cementing Clemson's Carnegie designation as an R1 research institution.
B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering
M.S. in Materials Science and Enginerring
To learn more about growing your business in Catawba County...
