Gov. Stein announces $149 million expansion of US Conec. Special to IFN RALEIGH - Gov. Josh Stein on Thursday announced that US Conec Ltd., a global leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of high-density optical interconnects, will add 224 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $149.7 million to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hickory. "North Carolina companies appreciate the advantages of operating in our state," Stein said. "Conec's decision to expand here validates the strength of our manufacturing base, our skilled talent, and our stable business climate." Headquartered in Hickory since its founding in 1992, US Conec provides industry-leading components worldwide for advanced computing infrastructure, enterprise networks, telecommunications networks, circuit board interconnects, and industrial and military markets. This expansion will add a 200,000-square-foot building for advanced manufacturing, research and development, administrative operations, and distribution. "The support of our state leaders for US Conec's expansion is great news for North Carolina, for Catawba County, and for our industry," said Tracey Horton, president of US Conec. "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. We appreciate the attractive environment North Carolina has created for advanced manufacturing and look forward to continuing to invest in our team, our operations, and the communities where we work." "This expansion is more great news for our innovation economy and the advanced computing supply chain in Catawba County," said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. "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." While wages for engineers, operators, technicians, and support staff vary, the annual average salary for the new positions will be $56,982, which exceeds the Catawba County average of $56,937. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $12.7 million for the region. A performance-based grant of $500,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help the company expand in North Carolina. The OneNC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants require matching participation from local governments, and any award is contingent upon that condition being met. In addition to the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the N.C. General Assembly, Commerce's Division of Workforce Solutions, the N.C. Community College System, Catawba Valley Community College, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Catawba County, the City of Hickory, and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation.

Tech manufacturer in Charlotte area expanding with $150M facility, plus 224 jobs. Updated October 22, 2026 2:19 PM Gift Article US Conec, a fiber-optic components maker, has pledged to invest nearly $150 million and create 224 jobs expanding in the Charlotte region amid the AI data center boom. US Conec plans to build a 200,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing plant in Hickory in Catawba County, Gov. Josh Stein said Thursday. The facility also will house research and development, administrative operations and distribution. Headquartered in Hickory since 1992, the company designs and manufactures components for advanced computing infrastructure, enterprise and telecommunications networks, as well as military applications. The expansion will enhance local capabilities to meet surging demand driven by deployments of advanced computing infrastructure, US Conec president Tracey Horton said in a statement. The expansion will create roles in engineering, technology, operations and support staff. The average annual salary for the new jobs will be $56,982. Catawba County's average wage is $56,937. The expansion is supported in part by a $500,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which requires matching funds from local government partners and requires the company to meet job creation and investment goals before funds are disbursed. US Conec officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. US Conec is an equity venture of three communications technology companies: Corning Optical Communications, Fujikura and NTT-AT, according to the company. This story was originally published October 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM. September 15, 2026 2:13 PM April 28, 2026 5:13 PM The Charlotte Observer Catherine Muccigrosso covers retail, banking and other business news for The Charlotte Observer. An award-winning journalist, she has worked for multiple newspapers in the Carolinas, Missouri and New York.

US Connec investing $150 million, adding 224 jobs to Hickory operations. 10/22/2026 US Connec will invest $149.7 million to add 224 jobs in Catawba County to expand its operations of manufacturing high-density optical interconnects for telecommunications and military markets. US Connec currently employs about 300 workers locally. The company, which started in Hickory in 1992, is currently building a 221,000-square-foot industrial building at the Catawba Commerce Center in Hickory's Fairgrove Business Park. The expansion and hiring are expected to be completed by the end of 2030. The building will be used for manufacturing, research and development, administrative operations and distribution. Its products go into circuit boards, computing infrastructure, telecommunications and enterprise networks. "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. We appreciate the attractive environment North Carolina has created for advanced manufacturing and look forward to continuing to invest in our team, our operations, and the communities where we work," said Tracey Horton, president of US Conec, in a release from the state. In addition to the Fairgrove facility, US Conec is moving forward with a separate 40,000-square-foot building in Fairgrove Business Park and a new company headquarters in downtown Hickory, according to a release from Catawba County Economic Development. New positions will include engineers, operators, technicians and support staff. Average annual wages for the new jobs will be $56,982, similar to Catawba County's current average annual wage of $56,937. "Today's announcement further strengthens Catawba County's standing as the nation's leader in communications technology," said Randy Isenhower, chair of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, in a release. "The fiber, cable and connectivity products made here are the backbone of the digital infrastructure and networks this country runs on, and US Conec's precision components are a critical part of that story." A performance-based grant of $500,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help the company expand in North Carolina. That grant requires matching grants from local governments and US Connec must meet job creation and investment targets before getting paid.