Cabarrus Economic Development

Community leaders, partners, and company officials recently gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Custom Flavors' new Concord facility, marking an exciting milestone for the growing food manufacturing sector in Cabarrus County.

The California-based flavor solutions company announced its plans in December 2024 to invest $7.75 million and create 42 new jobs through its first East Coast production facility. Learn more about the original announcement and the impact this investment will have on our community: https://concordnc.gov/Services/Community/News/ID/294/Custom-Flavors-bringing-over-$7-million-investment-to-City-of-Concord

Exciting news for Corning, Amazon, and Cabarrus County!

Today Amazon.com announced a multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning to expand U.S. fiber optic manufacturing and power its growing U.S. data center infrastructure.

The investment will create 1,000 advanced manufacturing jobs across North Carolina, support hundreds of construction roles, and establish a new workforce development program.

This builds on Amazon’s ongoing investment in the state, totaling more than $20 billion and more than 26,000 jobs. http://ms.spr.ly/6185v5RWB

We recently joined local education and community leaders for a visit to Eli Lilly and Company's Concord manufacturing campus, where discussions focused on workforce development, career pathways, and the growing opportunities within the life sciences industry.

During the visit, Lilly leadership shared insights into the company’s advanced manufacturing operations and highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available across the site. From high school and BioWorks pathways to community college programs and university graduates, Lilly is creating multiple entry points for individuals interested in pursuing careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing and related fields.

The conversation also emphasized the skills that drive success in today’s highly automated manufacturing environment, including problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and technology proficiency. As the region continues to grow as a hub for life sciences and advanced manufacturing, these partnerships play a critical role in preparing the next generation of talent.

We are proud to collaborate with industry, education, and community partners to strengthen the workforce pipeline and support the continued success of employers investing in our region. We thank Lilly for hosting this valuable discussion and for its ongoing commitment to workforce development in Cabarrus County.

We're Hiring: Business Retention & Entrepreneurship Manager

Cabarrus EDC is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven professional to join our team! In this role, you'll help strengthen Cabarrus County’s economic future by:

✅ Supporting local startups and entrepreneurs
✅ Leading business retention and expansion initiatives
✅ Building relationships with existing businesses
✅ Connecting companies with resources and support services

If you're passionate about economic development, entrepreneurship, and fostering business growth, we'd love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply today: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cabarruscounty/jobs/5357479/business-retention-entrepreneurship-manager

We were honored to attend the recent CTE Career & Military Signing Ceremony for Kannapolis City Schools students as they take the next step toward their futures!

These students were recognized for their hard work, career readiness and commitments to apprenticeships, internships, careers and military service — showcasing the many pathways to success available after graduation.

Monica Gramling, Career Services Leader with Centralina Workforce Development Board, served as keynote speaker and encouraged students as they begin this exciting new chapter.

Local employers and organizations investing in the next generation of talent included Wayne Brothers Companies, Ketchie Inc., Kannapolis Police Department, The Paper Theater Studio, UNC Nutrition Research Institute, My Honest Mechanic, Ivy & Oak Events, G.W. Carver Elementary, and Kannapolis Middle School, along with the U.S. Army National Guard and United States Marine Corps.

These signing ceremonies are a powerful reminder that career and technical education creates real opportunities and bright futures right here in Cabarrus County. Cabarrus County Schools also hosts a Career & Military Signing Ceremony each year to recognize students pursuing workforce and service pathways after graduation.

So proud to be a part of this amazing collaboration for Cabarrus County and for all of the partners who make resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses accessible and impactful!

This week, the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation celebrates Economic Development Week—a time to recognize the impact of strategic growth, strong partnerships, and forward-thinking investment in our community.

At the Cabarrus EDC, our mission goes beyond attracting new business—it’s about building opportunity. Every local company we support, every project we advance, and every partnership we strengthen contributes to something bigger: quality jobs for our residents and meaningful capital investment that fuels our local economy.

Economic development drives the resources that support our schools, infrastructure, and public services. It helps create a thriving environment where businesses can succeed and families can build their futures right here in their own communities. We’re grateful to our partners, local leaders, and business community who help make this work possible.

Strong jobs. Bright futures. Thriving communities. Powered by balanced growth…right here in Cabarrus County.

We had a fantastic time celebrating our partners at the Cabarrus EDC Partner Appreciation Event at Atrium Health Ballpark! ⚾

A big thank you to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers for being such incredible hosts and helping create a fun, welcoming atmosphere for everyone who joined us.

This year, we’re especially excited about a new way we’re showing appreciation—by supporting our local communities. Each partner received a gift card representing all six municipalities in Cabarrus County (yes, even Locust which has some restaurants on the Cabarrus County side!). These cards highlight local restaurants and small businesses, encouraging folks to explore different corners of our county.

It’s all part of building a stronger circular economy—supporting local, discovering new favorite spots, and investing back into the communities that make Cabarrus County such a great place to live and work.

Thank you to all of our partners for the work you do every day. We appreciate you! And thank you to Duke Energy for sponsoring the event.

Our first Investor Quarterly kicked off last week in the Town of Harrisburg, NC!

We were especially excited to gather at Hot Tuna, one of Harrisburg’s newest and most talked-about spots, while welcoming our new EDC President Gretchen Carson and connecting with our investors.

📍 Why Harrisburg?
It’s one of Cabarrus County’s fastest-growing communities—and for good reason:

✨ Highly Educated Workforce
• 97% of residents hold a high school diploma or higher
• 50% have a bachelor’s degree or above

🚀 Entrepreneurial Energy
• Strong support system with access to mentorship, incubators, and networking
• Growth across tech, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and more

🚗 Strategic Location
• Convenient access to I-485 and I-85
• Seamless connectivity to Charlotte and the broader region

🏗️ Opportunity Ahead: Morehead West
• 450+ acres positioned for industrial development
• Designed to drive economic growth and support regional assets like Charlotte Motor Speedway and UNC Charlotte

We’re excited to continue this journey—bringing our Investor Quarterly to communities across Cabarrus County and spotlighting the places driving our region forward.

Learn more about the Morehead West project: properties.zoomprospector.com/NORTHCAROLINA/property/Morehead-Road-Harrisburg-NC--Harrisburg-North-Carolina/92F4EBFE-51EF-4093-BDFE-18BAF94C6ABD

Visit Hot Tuna: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575816174955