Smithsonian Celebrated Sculpture Gardens
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.
12 Feb 2026
News
In 2025, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, along with its Rural Economic Development Division and the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority, awarded rural communities across North Carolina $136.3 million in grants to revitalize housing in local neighborhoods, install and upgrade industrial infrastructure, upfit older buildings to attract businesses, and advance projects in downtown districts.
“Rural communities are an integral part of what makes North Carolina strong,” said Governor Josh Stein. “The Department of Commerce’s investment of more than $130 million in hometowns across the state helped drive North Carolina’s best year ever for job recruitment and economic development. Let’s continue to invest in prosperity in every community across the state.”