2024: Year in Review
As we wrap up the year, it’s important to take a look back at some City of Hickory highlights, successes, and milestones of 2024.
Airport T-Hangars: The Hickory Regional Airport is a vital asset for Hickory and Burke County, and a key driver in the economic vitality of the entire Hickory region. Leaders from the City of Hickory and Burke County were joined by state legislative officials at Hickory Regional Airport on May 10 to celebrate the grand opening of 12 new T-hangars on the north ramp. The City of Hickory and Burke County constructed the new hangars to create additional leased hangar space to better meet growing demand at the airport. The partnership with Burke County further enhances the airport’s ability to attract tax base and generate revenue.
Hickory Trail: In 2024, the Hickory Trail continued to take shape with the completion of several segments and the start of construction of the final trail connection.
On April 4, the City of Hickory and the community celebrated the much anticipated grand opening of the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk showcases one of Hickory’s most beautiful, natural assets—the Catawba River. The Riverwalk provides public access to Lake Hickory with an overwater bridge and a combination of waterfront and wooded trails, offering visitors a variety of scenery and multiple vantage points to admire the beauty of the lake and the surrounding natural environments.
Construction of the OLLE Art Walk commenced on April 4 with a groundbreaking ceremony along Old Lenoir Road. The OLLE Art Walk trail will run approximately 2.4 miles along Ninth Street NW and Old Lenoir Road to create a critical link between the City Walk, Riverwalk, and Aviation Walk segments of the Hickory Trail.
A ribbon cutting marked the official grand opening of the Aviation Walk on July 30. Funded largely by a $17 million BUILD grant from the United States Department of Transportation, the Aviation Walk crosses U.S. 321 and goes up to the Hickory Regional Airport.
The Historic Ridgeview Walk segment of the Hickory Trail was completed and officially opened on Nov. 26. Historic Ridgeview Walk provides pedestrian and bicycle connectivity within the Ridgeview area from South Center Street to U.S. 70.
For more information about each of these segments and the entire Hickory Trail, visit www.hkytrail.com.
Hometown Grant and Park Improvements: The City of Hickory received a $50,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile to make improvements to Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park. Updates included improvements to the field’s turf, PA system, netting, and fencing. These investments provide an enhanced facility for sports and community events and help to preserve the rich history of the former Ridgeview High School.
Economic Development: Steel Warehouse, a leading steel service center with distribution, shipping, and processing capabilities, announced that it will open a state-of-the-art facility in Hickory, North Carolina. The ambitious initiative is set to create 58 jobs and involve an investment of $27 million over the next four years, significantly enhancing the company's presence and operational capabilities in the Southeastern United States.
International Accreditation: Hickory Fire Department (HFD) earned Internationally Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). This designation is awarded to agencies that meet or exceed the rigorous standards and criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. Hickory Fire Department is one of approximately 300 agencies to achieve Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE). With this status, HFD joined an elite group of just 17 accredited career departments in North Carolina.
Convention Center Renovation and Expansion: The Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau renovated its existing facility and added more than 46,000 square feet to make Hickory an even more attractive destination for conventions, meetings, trade shows, and sports tourism events. The enhanced convention center now offers approximately 165,600 square feet all on one level with 132,000 usable square feet for meetings and events.