Our Partners

Catawba Valley Community College is an innovative, comprehensive community college that fosters an environment focused on Academic Excellence, Globalization and Diversity, Economic and Workforce Development, and Student and Community Engagement to empower individuals and enrich the community through premier educational programs and services centered on teaching and learning.

The 2024 Furniture Manufacturing Expo will be held at the Hickory, NC Metro Convention Center on June 13 and 14. The Expo is the only trade show in North America showcasing the largest gathering of suppliers and the latest solutions for manufacturers of home furnishings. The Manufacturing Solutions Center is proud to be a supporter of and participant in this show.

North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NC MEP), a public-private operating alliance of state supported programs that work together to enhance the performance of the state’s small-to-medium size manufacturers.

City of Conover is an active downtown Brownfield redevelopment project located in the heart of Conover. The land offered in the redevelopment area has small town charm while offering big city amenities, and since its inception Conover Station has received resounding community and political support. Conover Station has become a prominent, newsworthy project that provides a sound example of successful community-based redevelopment. We encourage you to visit our website to learn about the history of the Conover Station site and how the City of Conover is stimulating economic growth and encouraging sustainable downtown redevelopment.

NC Idea NC IDEA empowers entrepreneurs to reach their full potential by offering support when they need it most. Our strategic combination of competitive grants and programs helps entrepreneurs at all stages of business development.

Carolina Textile District (CTD) connects makers, designers, and entrepreneurs to a reliable domestic supply chain in order to make quality products here at home. An enterprise of The Industrial Commons, we’re committed to empowering workers and supporting local communities by providing secure, meaningful jobs, and we aspire to economic, environmental, and social sustainability in every aspect of our work. 

North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) is the engineering-based, solutions-driven, client-focused extension unit of NC State's College of Engineering. Their broad portfolio of solutions and deep industry expertise help organizations grow, innovate and prosper. Their extensive partnerships with business, industry, education and government generate a unique culture of collaboration that provides access to cutting-edge expertise, research, and technology.

Wilson College of Textiles is the global leader in textile innovation: education, research, and service. It was established to support North Carolina’s budding textile industry. Through the rise of synthetic fibers, globalization and automation, we’ve evolved and adapted and positioned ourselves, our students and our alumni to reach their full potential.

Golden LEAF's mission is to promote the social welfare of North Carolina's citizens and to receive and distribute funds for economic impact assistance to economically affected or tobacco-dependent regions of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) is a business development organization and a collaborative effort between North Carolina business and the North Carolina Community College System. Funded in 2004 by the North Carolina General Assembly and opened in 2005, the NCMBC operates under the supervision of Fayetteville Technical Community College and has offices at eleven Community Colleges across the state.

AATCC is the world's leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals. AATCC provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for thousands of members in 60 countries throughout the world.

Textile Technology Center, since its inception in 1941, the Center has played a significant role in helping the North Carolina textile industry remain competitive, manufacture quality products, and maintain a well-trained workforce.

At the Biotechnology Center, we're On a Mission Specifically, to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina through support of biotechnology research, business, education and strategic policy statewide.

The American Home Furnishings Alliance is the world's largest and most influential trade organization serving the home furnishings industry. AHFA is dedicated to fostering the growth and global well being of its member companies.

WPCOG is a regional planning organization serving 28 local governments in a four-county area of western North Carolina. The WPCOG serves Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties and the 24 municipalities within these counties.

SEAMS, to support the resurging US sewn products industry through membership networking and collaboration; by offering benefits packages that help control overhead expenses; through access to educational programs to help improve the quality and productivity of the US sewn products industry collectively, and of our member firms individually; and by keeping our members informed about legislation in Washington, DC that impacts our industry.

The NCCET provides facilities for applied research in engineering related fields and serves as a conduit to baccalaureate education delivered by the University of North Carolina system schools.

The Chamber of Catawba County is a non-profit business membership organization representing 825 business Shareholders and Investors in Catawba County, N.C. Our organization executes critical economic and community development initiatives that lead the way for business competitiveness success, fostering the creation and filling of jobs, and developing community leaders at all levels in Catawba County. We aim to serve as the strong pro-business voice, advocating for free enterprise and working alongside local government to ensure a friendly business environment that is needed for all business in Catawba County to grow and sustain.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is a unique association representing the entire spectrum of the textile industry. From fibers to finished products, machinery manufacturers to power suppliers, NCTO is the voice of the U.S. textile industry.

The N.C. Department of Commerce is the state's leading economic-development agency, working with local, regional, national and international companies.

Manufactured in North Carolina, a partnership of the NC Rural Center, the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, and the NC State University Industrial Extension Service, is a new, statewide program which will use the Internet to showcase the products, capabilities, and innovations of our state's small, rural manufacturers to markets nationally and globally.

North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center mission is to develop, promote and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians.

ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. Today, some 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.

STOLL is a leader in flat-knitting machine technology. We offer innovative tools and services for the knitting of tomorrow. Founded over 145 years ago, we have now a strong reputation for providing highly sophisticated knitting solutions and as an independent thinker and developer in the section of Fashion & Technology.

Lonati S.p.A., Over seventy years experience and extensive know-how. A structure strongly oriented to customer needs and continuous technological innovation makes LONATI S.p.A. A Leader in the field of circular knitting machines for hosiery.