Hickory was recognized at the North Carolina League of Municipalities annual conference in October for committing to efficient, energy-saving operations and practices. Hickory received the Level One achievement for the NCLM Green Challenge.

Last summer the NCLM challenged municipalities state-wide to implement long-range and short-term actions that would conserve resources and save money.

NCLM hopes such implementations will protect the environment and operating municipal government in a more cost-¬effective, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly manner. To achieve Level One recognition, municipalities were required to complete three of five steps. Hickory had already completed four of the five steps, including:

1- adopting a sustainability plan in June 2008

2- creating an energy improvement plan in January 2000

3- conducting an energy audit of two or more government facilities in January 2004 and implementing recommendations

4- creating a water conservation education program in February 2008 

North Carolina League of Municipalities Challenge consists of three levels. Level Two requirements have not yet been released, but will focus on topics such as energy efficiency, green building, waste management, green fleets, land-use and transportation and water and air quality.

The great thing about Hickory going green is that it is not just about saving the planet it is also about saving money for the residents.

For more information about energy efficiency or how I can help you as an EcoBroker please feel free to visit my website for more information: www.MikeKellyJr.com

The 2008 Holiday Parade sponsored by the Hickory Jaycees will be on December 6, 2008 at 4pm in Downtown Hickory.

 For more information about the parade details please check out the Hickory Jaycees Website at  www.hickoryjaycee.com

For more information about Hickory NC check out my website www.MikeKellyJr.com

To search for homes for sale in Hickory, North Carolina - visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Hickory government is partnering with RainBarrel USA to offer residents a means to purchase rain barrels at wholesale prices as part of their continued effort to conserve water and implement stormwater management. Hickory government is not making a profit from the sale of these rain barrels. The manufacturer delivers the rain barrels to the Julian G.Whittener Municipal Building for residents to pick up.

For more information about eco-friendly resources please visit my website www.MikeKellyJr.com

For more information about this Hickory Government program please visit www.hickorygov.com

On November 18, 2008 Hickory Chair was presented the Sage Award for environmental responsibility and dedication to the environment,  at a reception during the 2008 Sustainability Summit in Greensboro.

The manufacturer received a $2,500 check from Cargill and was cited for its efforts to involve all of its employees in environmental stewardship. 

Some of Hickory Chair's current environmental practices include recycling everything from material used in furniture production such as fabric, leather, cotton and wood to everyday office items like aluminum cans, plastic bottles, ink toner and batteries. They also reduced its energy consumption and improved productivity by changing its manufacturing process to better utilize its machines and eliminate non-value added operations.

Congratulations to this wonderful eco-friendly business.

For more eco-friendly ideas or information about Hickory NC check out my website www.MikeKellyJr.com

I have been using Wyke's Cleaners on 127 in Hickory for over a year now.  I am very excited that they have embraced the eco friendly movement.  They offer GREEN bags (a reusable dry cleaning bag - it switches from duffel bag to haul laundry to suit bag to bring home the garments)  for your dry cleaning instead of the plastic dry cleaner bags. They also allow customers to return the wire hangers to be recylced and reused.

Make sure you check out this great local company. For more great "Green" information or resources please check out my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce has kicked off its Shop Hickory Metro campaign. The Chamber is encouraging all area residents to try to keep their purchases local to the four counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties so that as much money as possible stays in our area. It is especially important this year due to the current financial crisis gripping our country.  So wherever possible do your part to keep our area vibrant and full of shopping options by Shopping Hickory Metro!!!

For more information visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Service League of Hickory invites you to tour six extraordinary homes, each beautifully decorated. During tour hours, all homes will be open and feature chef demonstrations, live music, and more. You are welcome to visit the homes in any order you wish and stay as long as you like. Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 10a-5p Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 1p-5p Tickets: $25 each

 For more information visit www.serviceleaguehickory.org or

For more information visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

The holiday season in Hickory will officially begin when the new festive and illuminating Christmas decorations are officially turned on. Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright will turn on the "official light switch" on the Flag Court on Union Square.

Begins at 5:30pm and will continue until 7:00pm. Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be at the entire event greeting kids of all ages. Between 5:30-6:30 local musicians Rick Cline and Nathan Hefner will play holiday music. Downtown restaurants will be open for all to enjoy dinner in the heart of our city.

For more information about Hickory, North Carolina visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

For more information visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

This information was in a press release from Hickory NC Government.

HICKORY - Merchants Distributors Inc. (MDI) announced an expansion to its Hickory facility in Caldwell County which will result in a $50.5 million investment resulting in 200 new jobs by 2014. 

MDI is a privately-owned wholesale grocery store distributor headquartered in Hickory. MDI supplies over 850 retail food stores with food and non-food items in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Florida, and Kentucky.

 The MDI expansion announcement was made today at the MDI Hickory facility by MDI President Matt Saunders.  Officials from Hickory, Caldwell County, Granite Falls and North Carolina attended the press conference as well as made positive comments about the expansion.

 "This is an exciting day for Hickory as we stand with MDI and our neighbors in Caldwell County to celebrate a strong local company that is growing and adding new jobs and opportunities in our community," said Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright.  "MDI is a company that is committed to its customers, employees, and community, and we appreciate our local home grown industry expanding in these tough economic times and where their roots began."

 "Hickory, as well as Caldwell County and North Carolina agencies have agreed to provide essential incentives that are needed to make this expansion possible, and feel the investment is solid and will greatly benefit not only Hickory and Caldwell County, but the entire Greater Hickory Metro and North Carolina," added Mayor Wright.  

 The City of Hickory has offered a 75 percent tax grant for MDI over the next 10 years which results in a $1.89 million investment ($189,375 per year). Hickory City Council will consider the economic development agreement in December.  In addition to the City of Hickory, other partners who assisted with this announcement include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Department of Transportation, Caldwell County, the Town of Granite Falls, Golden LEAF, the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, N.C. Community College System and Duke Energy.

 MDI, Hickory, Granite Falls and Caldwell County will work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the construction of the Grace Chapel/US 321 connector road, which will open up more opportunities for future growth that will benefit the entire community. 

MDI posts all open positions and receives applications online.  Anyone interested can follow the path below and view open positions including descriptions and schedules.  People can also apply in the HR department at MDI but it will be through the same website. 

This is the fourth major economic development announcement made in Hickory this year.  Other companies that made announcements earlier this year were Williams Sonoma (Sutter Street Manufacturing), FedEx, and Convergys.  All four companies will bring 1,400 new jobs to Hickory over the next two to five years. 

For more information visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

Beautiful Home in NW Hickory

328 13th Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601 View Map

This excellent home features two bedrooms and one and a half baths. It has a full basement and unfinished upstairs - great for storage or future bedrooms. Kitchen has newer appliances. The house has a dining room that is currently being used as an office but could easily be converted into a third bedroom. Hardwood floors are in the foyer, kitchen, living room and dining room. Owner says hardwoods are also under the carpet in the hallways and bedrooms. Yard features a large deck and a detached 2 car garage with additional work space available.

www.MikeKellyJr.com

Details

Asking Price:

$139,900

MLS:

9540367

Sq. Feet:

1563

Lot Size:

0.39

Bedrooms:

2

Bathrooms:

1.1

Year Built:

1955

Contact Info

Michael Kelly, Jr.
REALTOR/EcoBroker, GRI, CRS

Dir 828-234-0479
Email | Website

For more information visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

I spent the week with a wonderful couple from New York and they kept commenting on how beautiful the weather was here in Hickory.  They loved the warm weather and the beautiful fall colors on the trees.  The autumn colors looked even better in the reflection of the lake.

They were trying to pick an area in North Carolina to retire and had visited many different regions of our wonderful state.  They chose a house to buy in Hickory - and I can not help but believe that the beauty of Hickory combined with the exquiste weather sold them on our area.

It is great to spend time with people from other states - they help me appreciate how lucky I am to live in Hickory, North Carolina.

For more information visit: www.MikeKellyJr.com

CATAWBA HOLIDAY FESTIVAL AND PARADE

WHEN: Saturday November 9 from 10am to 3pm.

WHERE: Downtown Catawba.

WHAT: Get in the holiday spirit today. Petting zoo and inflatables.

HOLIDAY HOUSE

WHEN:  Saturday November 9 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday November 9 from 1pm to 5pm and Friday November 14 from 10am to 5pm and Saturday November 14 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday November 16 from 1pm to 5pm.

WHERE: 1124 Willow Creek Dive, Newton

WHAT: Get inspired by great design ideas. Admission is just $10 and benefits the March of Dimes.

WINE AND CHEFS NIGHT

WHEN: Thursday November 13 from 7 to 9pm.

WHERE: 1124 Willow Creek Dive, Newton

WHAT:  Get inspired by great design ideas. Admission is just $25 and benefits the March of Dimes.

WESTERN PIEDMONT SYMPHONY CONCERT

WHEN: Saturday November 8 at 8pm

WHERE: First Baptist Church 339 Second Avenue NW Hickory

WHAT: Listen to beautiful music of the local symphony. $12 to $35 for adult and $10 for students.

TRAIN TOWN OPEN HOUSE

WHEN: Saturday November 8 from 10 am to 4pm

WHERE: Brookford Community Center

WHAT: Wade's train town has built to scale buildings and little people. Bring the kids and the young at heart.

ALFA'S FALL FLING

WHEN: Saturday November 8 from 10am to 4pm.

WHERE: ALFA parking lot  at 1120 Fairgrove Church Road

WHAT: Food, entertainment, and crafts.

All information from the Hickory Daily Record.