US Conec Ltd. to Expand in North Carolina, Bringing Over 200 Jobs to Catawba County
In a significant boost to the local economy, US Conec Ltd., a global leader in optical interconnects, is set to create 224 new jobs in Catawba County, North Carolina. The company plans to invest $149.7 million in a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Hickory, reinforcing the area’s status as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
Governor Josh Stein highlighted the benefits of North Carolina’s business environment, stating, “North Carolina companies appreciate the advantages of operating in our state. US Conec’s decision to expand here validates the strength of our manufacturing base, our skilled talent, and our stable business climate.”
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Hickory, US Conec supplies components globally for various high-tech sectors, including telecommunications and military markets. The expansion includes a new 200,000-square-foot facility dedicated to manufacturing, research and development, and administrative functions.
President of US Conec, Tracey Horton, expressed enthusiasm about the project, saying, “The support of our state leaders for US Conec’s expansion is great news for North Carolina, for Catawba County, and for our industry. The expansion will create highly skilled jobs, enhance US Conec’s manufacturing capabilities in Catawba County and help meet growing demand driven by deployments of advanced computing infrastructure.”
Lee Lilley, N.C. Commerce Secretary, noted the project’s impact on rural areas: “This expansion is more great news for our innovation economy and the advanced computing supply chain in Catawba County. Investments like these help position rural communities to compete for high-demand industries as it attracts global companies that will create more jobs and increase resiliency.”
The new positions will offer an average salary of $56,982, slightly above the county’s average. This expansion could contribute over $12.7 million annually in payroll to the region.
Supporting this growth, a $500,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund will aid the expansion, contingent on meeting job creation and investment benchmarks. This fund supports local governments in attracting economic investments and requires matching local government contributions.
Senator Mark Hollo celebrated the expansion as “another great win for Catawba County and the entire State of North Carolina,” emphasizing US Conec’s role as a valued corporate partner. Representative Jay Adams echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of state and local officials in facilitating the expansion.
Key partners in this initiative include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, and local educational institutions and utilities, all contributing to the successful realization of this project.
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