The April 22 ceremony in Hickory’s Innovation District was held with the CVCC Foundation, the city, and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation.
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The Newton attorney has served on the foundation board since 2013, previously as chair; FY 2025 figures listed 1,665 jobs and more than $116 million in new payrolls.
Dave Leonetti presented the award April 15 for more than 100 years of family-owned distribution from Hickory.
A March 31 hiring notice says the nonprofit is adding two staff roles to serve about 850 business partners.
Wider sidewalks, bulb-outs, and lighting infrastructure are listed; the city said the full job is due by August.
President Garrett Hinshaw said the money finishes the academy upfit and buys devices for IT and datacenter training.
Mayor Kyle Hayman credits staff after NCDOT, Public Safety, and Commerce awards for sidewalks, a wastewater pump station, and building reuse.
Directors listed six priority areas, including Hickory Regional Airport funding, energy, school construction, a state park, child care, and workforce housing.
A March 3 notice frames the yearly report as accountability to investors and partners, with a stated focus on county competitiveness.