Corning Optical plans up to $268M expansion outside Charlotte, with over 130 jobs
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- Corning Optical will invest $170M–$267.9M and expand manufacturing in Catawba.
- Agreement grants Lot 11 and up to $5.79M in local incentives to Corning.
- Company will hire at least 132 workers with average pay above $65,000.
Corning Optical is expanding its manufacturing operations in Catawba County, hiring about 132 people and investing between $170 million to $267.9 million.
Under an economic development agreement with the city of Hickory and the county, Corning Optical will take over a lot that covers almost 33 acres in Trivium Corporate Center. Hickory and Catawba are providing the space at no cost to the company, according to a Wednesday news release from the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation.
Under the agreement, Corning Optical will hire a minimum of 132 people with average annual salaries exceeding $65,000, along with the multimillion-dollar investment in the city and county.
As Corning Optical finalizes its plans, the county is encouraging the largest investment of almost $268 million, according to Scott Millar, president of the county’s Economic Development Corporation.
Corning Optical will receive Lot 11 at the business park, which is valued over $3.1 million. The company will also receive grants up to almost $2.7 million from the county and $3.1 million from the city.
In addition to the nearly $6 million in incentives from county and local officials, Millar said the state may consider supporting the project at a later date.
In the release, Hickory Mayor Hank Guess said the move strengthens the local economy and “reinforces Hickory’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation... We are grateful for Corning’s partnership and their confidence in Hickory’s future.”
Trivium is a 378-acre business park developed by Hickory and Catawba County, and marketed by the Catawba County EDC.
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About Corning Optical
Corning Optical is a division of New York-based Corning Inc., which builds glass components for fiber-optic cable and communications equipment.
The optical company’s headquarters is based in Charlotte, and it has a number of facilities throughout North Carolina, including in Newton, Winston-Salem and Concord.
This isn’t the first time Corning Optical has expanded in Catawba. The company previously increased operations in the county in 2021, investing $150 million and creating 200 jobs.
“We have had a great and ongoing relationship with Corning for many years,” Millar said, “and they are a huge part of our effort to continue to work for advanced manufacturing with high-level jobs with high-level wages.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM.
