News

2026 Brings Student/Industry Connection in Caldwell and Watauga CountiesCaldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) is proud to expand work-based learning opportunities in North Carolina’s Caldwell and Watauga Counties with the launch of RISE (Regional Initiative for Skilled Employment) this month. Designed to address critical skill gaps across the high-demand...Continue Reading

Part Two of a two-part series on workforce development at CCC&TI. Part One explored the college’s BioWork program and its role in preparing residents for biomanufacturing and life sciences careers.Beyond preparing workers for high-tech and high-demand industries, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) also plays a vital role in...Continue Reading

North Carolina has been named 2025 State of the Year by Business Facilities magazine, recognizing the state’s strong business climate and continued success in attracting investment and creating jobs in communities statewide.The designation reflects North Carolina’s performance across key economic development indicators, including workforce and education, infrastructure, business incentives, quality...Continue Reading

Site Selection magazine ranked North Carolina the Top State for Workforce Development for 2026. Governor Josh Stein celebrated this ranking during a visit to Machine Specialties Inc. (MSI) in Whitsett, where he highlighted the state’s workforce investments and the recent recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships.“North Carolina’s...Continue Reading

The warning signs are everywhere. Ford CEO Jim Farley, recently said the company can’t fill five thousand mechanic jobs even at $120,000 per year.“A bay with a lift and tools and no one to work in it — are you kidding me?” he said.The automotive giant’s struggle is a snapshot...Continue Reading

A critical shortage of development-ready industrial sites is pushing states to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in product development. These proactive efforts aim to enhance the developability and speed-to-market of industrial property, ultimately attracting capital investment and job creation. Site Selection Group regularly monitors these investments, and this article...Continue Reading

Biology has become a technology, and technology is beginning to feel biological. We rarely stop to sense it, but we are living through an age of acceleration—where discovery builds on itself faster than we can comprehend. It took more than four centuries to get from the invention of the microscope...Continue Reading

Applications are now being accepted for a new round of grants from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a key source of funding small businesses engaged in research, development, and innovation leading to commercial products.“Young companies are responsible for the majority of net new job creation,” said North Carolina...Continue Reading

Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships released a report identifying 30 strategies designed to advance North Carolina’s workforce and expand access to good jobs with good wages. When implemented, these proposed strategies will help the state attain the 11 workforce goals that the Council recommended in June.“North Carolina...Continue Reading

Manufacturing continues to be critical to North Carolina’s economy: a previous LEAD Feed blog article reported that in 2024, this sector had an economic output of $108 billion1, accounting for 14.5% of North Carolina’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP)2. The same data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) can...Continue Reading

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) is preparing Caldwell County’s workforce for the high-demand careers of tomorrow, offering training programs that directly support emerging industries across North Carolina. As one of Caldwell County Economic Development’s key partners, CCC&TI helps ensure that local talent is aligned with employer needs in...Continue Reading

Each October, communities across America celebrate Manufacturing Day, a nationwide effort to highlight the importance of manufacturing and the incredible people who make it possible. On October 3, 2025, Caldwell County Economic Development joins this celebration with pride as we honor our community’s long and rich history of manufacturing and...Continue Reading

Caldwell County Economic Development invites you to the next Caldwell Tech Talk, a monthly meetup focused on growing our region's tech ecosystem. Whether you're a seasoned professional, a new entrepreneur, or a student passionate about innovation, this event is an opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate.When is the next Tech...Continue Reading

Workforce readiness has become a defining factor in regional competitiveness and corporate success. Economic development professionals and corporate executives are facing unprecedented challenges, whether it’s demographic shifts, evolving immigration policies, or the rapid pace of technological innovation, all of which are reshaping the very foundation of the American workforce.Earlier this...Continue Reading

Addressing a well-known gap that many innovative companies face, today the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation announced its latest round of funding to small businesses developing and commercializing new technologies in North Carolina. In fiscal year 2024-2025, 90 small businesses in 21 counties received 102 awards from...Continue Reading

Welcome to the September 2025 edition of NC Economy Watch: an update on what’s happening in the North Carolina economy and what it means for you, brought to you by the Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD) of the NC Department of Commerce.In this edition of NC Economy Watch, we...Continue Reading

A Showcase of Workforce Progress and Business SuccessResults of Caldwell County’s 2025 Wage & Benefit Survey are now available! Thank you to the 27 organizations that participated in this year’s survey! Your engagement makes this project possible. By sharing real-world data, you’re helping build a stronger, more informed business community...Continue Reading

When people visit Caldwell County, NC, or when residents pause to reflect, a common realization occurs: This place has it all!Few areas in the United States offer such a unique combination of natural beauty, welcoming communities, and an affordable cost of living.Caldwell County’s economy is impactful regionally and internationally, featuring over...Continue Reading

Wednesdays are the day for education and industry collaboration in Caldwell County, NC, with the continuation of Workforce Wednesdays!The dynamic partnership between Caldwell County Economic Development (CCED), Caldwell County Schools, and Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) continued in 2025 as a way to  bring real-world career exposure directly...Continue Reading

Caldwell County Economic Development and Caldwell County Schools recently received the 2025 Partnership Award by the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT). This prestigious award recognizes outstanding collaborations that connect education with workforce and economic development across North Carolina. To read the full article, click the following...Continue Reading

Economic development is always centered on business growth and innovation. In Caldwell County, NC, however, it’s about building a better future for the community. Supporting entrepreneurs, expanding local industries, and attracting new opportunities all focus on ensuring a prosperous future for residents and businesses. Every new job, every new storefront,...Continue Reading