29 Dec 2025
News
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 of a broader industrial reality: as billions pour into U.S. factories and clean energy projects, the skilled labor simply isn’t there.
To explore this skilled trade gap more deeply, Area Development partnered with Lightcast, a big-data company that pioneered the collection and analysis of information on the labor market, and they helped provide a uniquely curated view of the skilled-trades pipeline — drawing on federal apprenticeship data, college completions, and employment projections — to reveal why workforce readiness has become the most important site selection variable in America.
Click here to read the original article from Area Development.
Move right into one of our existing manufacturing buildings. The infrastructure is in place and a trained workforce is ready.
Explore the Caldwell County Itinerary for food, shopping, highlights, lodging and adventures! We invite locals and visitors to delight in the journey and the destination.
Explore scenic vistas, historical sites, art, breweries, wineries, eateries and more along this world famous route.
Powered by an economy that has hit its stride and turbocharged by a track record of innovation, Caldwell County is the best of NC.
Life in Caldwell County can be full of adventure. Spend the day exploring parks, mountains, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and biking.
Caldwell County has the most extensive collection of permanent public outdoor sculptures per capita in the U.S. Our annual Sculpture Celebration is the largest in the South.
NC has increased production of renewables by nearly 52%, double the average of all 50 states
The Blue Ridge foothills, Pisgah National Forest and Wilson Creek are our playgrounds for biking, off-roading, watersports, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.
Record numbers of new businesses and industries have registered in Caldwell: 250-500 each year since 2018. The CCC&TI Business Center is ready to assist.
CCED works closely with CCC&TI and local manufacturers to meet the workforce needs of employers.
Caldwell County ranked 20th out of North Carolina’s 100 counties for wage growth in 2023. Since 2015, wages have grown an impressive 51.5%.
Caldwell County is building on its historic manufacturing legacy while embracing the industries of tomorrow. With affordability, a strategic location, and a skilled workforce, the county is a prime destination for business growth and investment.
Whether we’re celebrating art, butterflies, blackberries, BBQ or wine, the calendar is full of Southern charm.
