Information for Businesses and Entrepeneurs

LOCAL RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS 
City of Hickory Economic Development Manager, Todd Hefner,
Hickory Downtown Development Association, Connie Kincaid, Director, http://www.downtownhickory.com/
Grow Your Own Biz Website - Links to numerous assistance agencies http://www.growyourownbiz.com/
Charlotte SCORE Office, (704) 344-6576, CharlotteSCORE47@carolina.rr.com
CVCC Small Business Center, Bonnie Sweeting, (828) 327-7000, ext. 4112, bsweeting@cvcc.edu
Small Business Technology Development Center, Bill Parrish, (828) 345-1110, parrishwl@appstate.edu
Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Jim Chandler, (828) 485-4215, jim.chandler@wpcog.org
FUNDING RESOURCES
Small Business Development Technology Center, Capital Opportunities
www.sbtdc.org/publications/cap_opps.asp
Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Planner
www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/financestartup/index.html
Business Link North Carolina (www.blnc.org)
SCORE, Business Financing Resources (www.score.org/financing_your_business.html) 
BUILDING CODES

New Construction and Remodeling Joel Herman, Catawba County Building Inspector (828) 465-8454 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/

Click here for information about occupying existing buildings

BUSINESS LICENSE & TAX REQUIREMENTS
Hickory Finance Department, Deanna Rios, Finance Director

BROWNFIELDS
Hickory Planning Department, Brian Frazier, Planning Director

FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
Todd Hefner, Economic Development Manager
 
URBAN PROGRESS ZONE
Click Here for a Map of the Urban Progress Zone
Todd Hefner, Economic Development Manager

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Hickory Public Schools, Dr. Lillie Cox, Superintendent http://www.hickoryschools.net/default.aspx
Catawba County Schools, Dr. Timothy Markley, Superintendent http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/
Catawba Valley Community College, Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President http://www.cvcc.edu/
Hickory Metro Higher Education Center Dr. Jane Everson, Director, http://www.hmhec.org/
Lenoir-Rhyne College, Dr. Wayne Powell, President, http://www.lrc.edu/
Champions of Education, Mr. Lamar Mitchell, Executive Director, http://www.catawbachamber.org/education/

LAND DEVELOPMENT/ZONING
Brian Frazier, Planning Director
MAPS - Catawba County Real Estate Maps http://www.gis.catawba.nc.us/website/Parcel/parcel_main.asp
Burke County Real Estate Maps http://arcims.webgis.net/nc/Burke/
Calwell County Real Estate Maps http://maps.co.caldwell.nc.us/

TRANSPORTATION
Chuck Hansen, Hickory Public Services Director/City Engineer
John Tippett, Planning Director/MPO Coordinator http://trans.wpcog.org/
John Marshall, RPO Coordinator http://trans.wpcog.org/
Ed Clifford, Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority (828) 464-9444

UTILITIES
AT&T North Carolina, LaVoy Spooner, Director of External Affairs http://www.bellsouth.com/
Duke Energy, Robin Nicholson, District Manager, http://www.duke-energy.com/
Embarq, Pat Elmore, Public Affairs Manager, http://www.embarq.com/
Piedmont Natural Gas, Michael Durham, Community Relations Manager, http://www.piedmontng.com/
Charter Communications, John McNelly, Director of Sales & Marketing/Purchasing http://www.charter-business.com/
Water and Sewer, Kevin Greer, Director, Hickory Public Utilities 



Related Pages