caldwellchambernc.com explorecaldwell.com Caldwell Chamber of Commerce RESOURCE GUIDE Table of Contents Welcome to Caldwell County……………………………………………..1 Caldwell County History, Facts & Statistics……………………………2-6 Education………………………………………………………………..7-8 Recreation: Facilities, Walking Trails & Parks .......................................... 9 Medical Facilities & Services ................................................................ ...10 Public Safety ............................................................................................. 11 Employment Services & Utilities ............................................................. 12 Miscellaneous Services (Government & Municipality) ...................... 13-14 Community Websites ................................................................................ 15 Accommodations ...................................................................................... 16 Banks ......................................................................................................... 17 Insurance Agencies .............................................................................. 18-19 Apartments ................................................................................................ 20 Realtors & Real Estate Companies ........................................................... 21 Caldwell Religious Opportunities ........................................................ 22-26 * Denotes Chamber Membership Welcome to Caldwell County! On behalf of the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, its members and staff, we would like to thank you for your interest in Caldwell County. For people who want it all – nature in its quiet beauty and charm of small town life – Cald- well County is just the spot. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the county is home to the wilderness area of Wilson Creek, a federally designated “Wild and Scenic River,” where visitors can enjoy waterfalls, fishing, camping, ATV trails, and hiking. The area also boasts majestic mountain views through all the distinct changing seasons, a bevy of historical sites and art opportunities including an annual outdoor sculpture competition that draws artists from throughout the Southeast. The J.E. Broyhill Civic Center offers a full schedule of entertainment events throughout the year, including national tour acts and shows. Conveniently and centrally located, it is only a short distance to the mountains where you can drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head in the other direction and in less than 90 minutes, you can be in Charlotte, the state’s largest city and location of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Charlotte is the home of the Carolina Panthers professional football team and the Charlotte Hornets professional basketball team. So, whether you’re looking to experience the adventure of an active nature vacation, explore the restful beauty of a gen- teel southern town or head off to the big city, Caldwell County is the place to start your journey. Please feel free to contact the Caldwell Visitor Information Center should you need further information or assistance. The Visitor Center is located on U.S. Highway 321 in the Cham- ber of Commerce building. For more information, please contact us and be sure to visit www.explorecaldwell.com for an events calendar and local points of interest. Caldwell Visitor Center 828.726.0323 Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, 1909 Hickory Blvd., SE, Lenoir, NC 28645 828.726.0616 www.caldwellchambernc.com 1 Caldwell County Facts & S t a t i s t i c s Early History The Yadkin River begins in Blowing Rock on the northern edge of Caldwell County. This major Piedmont North Carolina River served as a pathway to western expansion during the colonial period. Its fertile valley attracted influential planters, including General William Le- noir, a Revolutionary hero for whom the county seat of Lenoir is named. Modern Caldwell County has its roots in the fusion of the cultures of German settlers moving westward from the Piedmont, and the Scotch-Irish Appalachian people who inhabited the county’s mountainous northern half. The abundant hardwood resources of Appalachian for- est were the catalysts that combined the business and organizational skills of the Germans with the craftsmanship and strong work ethic of the mountaineers. A thriving furniture manufactur- ing industry emerged and was the backbone of the Caldwell County economy for generations. The second major thread in the county’s economy was supplied by the textile industry. In the late 1800s, “king cotton” still ruled southern agriculture. Caldwell County entrepreneurs were quick to recognize the potential, and a number of mills sprang up along the railroad corri- dor. Shuford Mills is still a major textile manufacturer. Huffman Finishing Company, located near Granite Falls, currently operates a state-of-the-art sock-weaving plant, one of the most effi- cient in the country. Location & Topography Caldwell County is framed on the south by the Catawba River and Interstate 40 which parallels the river’s course through the region. The southern part of the county consists of roll- ing countryside dissected by numerous streams. To the north is the Blue Ridge Parkway which passes through a corner of the county on Grandfather Mountain. US Highway 321 threads its way from the river to the mountains, intersecting the Parkway a few miles north of the county line. The northern portions of the county rise to 5,964 feet above sea level at Calloway Peak. The Pisgah National Forest occupies a large segment of the region, combing with contiguous forests further west. Driving Time to Metropolitan City (min./miles): Charlotte 80/69 Asheville 90/73 Winston-Salem 90/73 Area: 474.64 Square Miles 301,549 Acres 68,596 Non-Forest Land 232,953 Forestland 43,389 Farmland 2 Caldwell Chamber of Commerce C l i m a t e Caldwell County, sheltered from cold fronts out of the west by the Blue Ridge Moun- tains, enjoys excellent weather. Snow is infrequent, occurring perhaps once a month from De- cember through March. The yearly average temperature is 57.7 degrees. The average 24-hour temperature in July is 88 degrees and the average annual rainfall is 49 inches. P o p u l a t i o n The population of Caldwell County is 83,029. Slightly less than half of the residents live in the eight incorporated towns and cities. Lenoir is the most populous at 18,228. The median age is 43. I n d u s t r y Originally founded by German craftsmen immigrants whose legacy is evident in the quality of workmanship today, Caldwell County products are shipped all over the world. The furniture industry continues to make up part of the primary manufacturing base. But Caldwell County's business and industrial base is becoming more diversified, with inroads into a wide range of technically sophisticated products such as plastic, automotive, and medical supplies. The growth the county has experienced during the last few years has spread over the municipalities in a combination of traditional and diversified industries. See “Caldwell County Recent Economic History” and other information included in this packet, supplied by the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission, for details on Caldwell County Industry. Also, contact www.caldwelledc.org for current information. Transportation Three highways, Interstate 40, US 64 and US Highway 321, provide vital transportation links for Caldwell County's growing manufacturing, commercial and tourism base. US High- way 321, a four-lane thoroughfare, runs from Blowing Rock to the City of Hickory, where it intersects with Interstate 40. It provides a quick route to Charlotte making the commute time from Lenoir to Charlotte Douglas International Airport only 75 minutes. Other major highways located in Caldwell County include NC Highway 18, NC Scenic Highway 268, NC Highway 90 as well as the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway www.caldwellchambernc.com 3 E d u c a t i o n Caldwell County's consolidated public school system boasts 11 K-5 elementary, four K- 8 elementary, four middle and six high schools. Together they serve over 12,000 students. In comparison with the state's approximately 135 school districts, Caldwell County consistently delivers a top performance in virtually every major category. For more information contact www.caldwellschools.com. Opening in 1964, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute has served as an area leader in expanding educational and cultural opportunities within Caldwell and Watauga counties. The school offers nearly 100 curriculum programs, hundreds of corporate and con- tinuing education certifications and special interest courses, and GED/Basic Skills training at more than 50 sites throughout its two-county service area. Record enrollment has boasted over 5,700 curriculum students although CCC&TI serves more than 18,000 students annually in all areas of the college. From the Career Center to the Appalachian State University Center, CCC&TI connects high school students straight through to bachelor degree programs on one campus, distinguish- ing the college as a state and national model. The Career Center's specialized workforce train- ing earned it the Governor's Entrepreneurial Award for its success in innovation in educational partnerships. The ASU Center was named for Faye A. Broyhill and opened in spring of 2006. The center focuses primarily on teacher training and additional program options are being ex- plored. Home of the Cobras, since 1974 CCC&TI has offers NJCAA men's basketball along with women's