|
Economic Development
Burke Economic Development Council
 Burke Economic Development Council (BEDC) provides free assistance to consultants interested in identifying qualified sites and buildings in Burke County. To learn more about available buildings and locations, transportation, tax rates, utilities, and more, visit www.burkeedc.org
www.burkeedc.org
City of Morganton
The City of Morganton includes 18.55 square miles and has a population of approximately 17,310. Major cultural, medical, governmental and financial activities for Burke County are located within the city limits. Morganton is home to families of many different nationalities and cultures including people of Asian, Hispanic, Native American and Black descent.
The City enjoys a temperate climate with a mild four-season year. The environmental attributes of the area contribute to the continual growth of tourism and overall the City has achieves approximately 25% population growth in the last 20 years.
Burke County is part of the growing "Unifour Region" (four counties of Burke, Caldwell, Catawba and Alexander), supporting a population over 341,000 persons. These four counties also comprise the Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir Metropolitan Statistical Area [MSA].
The proximity of the Great Smokey Mountains, Lakes James, Lake Norman and major urban centers greatly enhance the physical location of the city.
The City's current property tax rate is $.46 for general tax and $.14 for municipal service district tax per $100 valuation. County property tax is .52 per $100 valuation.
Location
Morganton is located on Interstate 40 (I-40), and the Charlotte and Asheville areas are about an hour's drive from Burke County. The Blue Ridge Parkway (perhaps the most famous highway in America) winds its way through the northwestern part of the county. Located on the Parkway are Linville Falls and pathways to Linville Gorge area, access to Table Rock Mountain, Pisgah National Forest with 92,900 acres of primitive natural environment and to Mt. Mitchell, highest peak east of the Mississippi.
I-40, U.S. highways 64 and 70 and North Carolina highways 18 and 181 intersect the City's corporate limits at various points. I-85, I-77 and I-26 are within 50 miles of the City.
Southern Railway services Morganton and Burke County by rail and approximately 30 major truck carriers provide ground/freight transportation.
Charlotte's Douglas International Airport is approximately 70 miles from Morganton and offers about 500 flights per day. General aviation and charter services, as well as housing for numerous corporate and private aircraft are available at the Foothills Regional Airport approximately eight miles northeast of Morganton. This facility is a joint venture between the City of Morganton, Burke County, the City of Lenoir and Caldwell County.
Commerce & Industry
The City serves as the retail trade and employment center for a majority of the approximately 89,028 people of the County. People from the surrounding counties of Avery, McDowell, Rutherford and Cleveland work and shop in Morganton.
The growing "Unifour Region" including Burke, Caldwell, Catawba and Alexander Counties supports a population over 341,000. The four counties also comprise the Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir Metropolitan Statistical Area [MSA].
"Industry Week" ranked the 4-county region as the eighth best manufacturing area in the nation. In 1999 and 2001, Morganton was a finalist f the 1999 and 2001 All-America City Awards.
Principal manufacturing includes furniture and metal working, medical device manufacturing, automobile component manufacturing as well as other types of establishments providing a diversified manufacturing base. State and local government are large employers within the Morganton city limits.
With thousands of acres of national forest, scenic rivers, lakes and mountains, Morganton and Burke County are ready to claim its share of the tourism industry. In 2000, domestic tourism in Burke County generated an economic impact of almost $58 million, placing it 41st in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties.
Economy
"Industry Week" ranked the 4-county region as the eighth best manufacturing area in the nation. In 1999 and 2001, Morganton was also a finalist in the All-America City Awards. Burke County has a strong population base to support its expanding economy. No single industry dominates the county. The diversity of the various industries in the area gives the county economic strength. The county's largest source of income is from retail sales.
With thousands of acres of national forest, scenic rivers, lakes and mountains, Burke County is ready to claim its share of the tourism industry. In 2000, domestic tourism in Burke County generated an economic impact of almost $58 million, placing it 41st in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties.
Education
The Burke County School system is recognized as one of the most progressive in the State. In addition to the public schools there are several private school alternatives including two religiously affiliated schools - Christian School and The Children's School - and a fully accredited private facility.
Burke County Schools are on the forefront of the latest developments in education, focusing on meeting the needs of all children. The consolidated public school system in Burke County has about 14,600 students, 2,500 employees, one primary school, 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 2 high schools, an alternative school, and a school for children with special needs. All the Burke County public schools are accredited by both the State of North Carolina and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
One of the two State supported schools for the deaf is within the Morganton city limits. The duly accredited North Carolina School for the Deaf was commissioned in 1891 and opened in 1894. The school serves students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in grades K-12. About 60% of its buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton is a public two-year college, which offers associate degrees in a variety of arts and science programs, as well as a strong curriculum in vocational and continuing education. Each year more than 2,000 students enroll in WPCC's curriculum programs, and more than 13,000 adults receive additional training through the college's Continuing Education division. The college is located on a 329-acre campus within the City limits adjacent to I-40.
Morganton's Objectives
Morganton strives to keep up with the ever-changing environment of local government. This is an ongoing charge to the elected officials as well as the City staff. The City Council took the initiative in 1987 by appointing the Morganton 20/20 Committee, designed to outline a strategic plan that would guide the City into the next century. Most of the committee's focus is on the community as a whole as opposed to the specific plans of the City government. However, this demonstrates the importance placed by City officials on the establishment of plans and goals for the future.
During FY 1996-97, a Comprehensive Recreation Plan was designed to address current and future recreational needs in the City. In fiscal year 1997-98 the City purchased property near the Catawba Greenway to construct a soccer complex. Grant dollars totaling $324,000 were awarded to the City for this project. During 1999-00 the first phase, two soccer fields, restrooms, fencing and lighting was completed.
Plans for a new City Hall began during the 1998-99 fiscal year. An innovative public/private partnership led the City into a multifaceted City Hall complex. In addition to housing City Hall, the complex will include residential units, a park and a restaurant. City Hall relocated to its new facility in Spring 2002. In 2007, he project developer completed the residential and commercial portions of the development.
The City Council has directed that a portion of the Electric Fund's retained earnings be to designated for use as a rate stabilization fund. In short, this fund is to be used in the future to curb the rising costs of purchased power rather than passing the cost increases along to the city's customers. The city council feels very strongly that it must incorporate long-range plans for all city utility services in order to facilitate the needs for the ever-changing environment of the industry. As of June 30, 2003 this designation totals approximately $8.9 million.
This is a very historic area, but quality of life certainly has not lagged behind here, as evidenced by the Greenway along the Catawba River and many other recent improvements. Other efforts to preserve a bit of Burke County's environmental heritage for posterity have resulted in the establishment of Lake James State Park and South Mountain State Park. The area hosts numerous festivals every year and Burke County offers more than 180 places to worship. "Money" magazine named the region as one of the 20 best places to live in the South.
Local Attractions
Auditoriums, art galleries, the annual outdoor drama "From This Day Forward," and community concert series furnish a well-balanced program of entertainment and enrichment. The restored Old Burke County Courthouse (c. 1835) contains a heritage museum and performing arts auditorium. The Waldensian Museum in Valdese contains artifacts of early Waldensian settlements. A traditional winemaking operation, Waldensian Heritage Winery produces a variety of wines, and offers tours and free wine tastings. McGalliard Falls Park in Valdese features Meytre Mill, a replica of an early gristmill. A 45-foot waterfall, nature trails, tennis courts & picnic facilities are some of the highlights.
City Services
The City of Morganton provides municipal water, sanitary sewer, electric and cable television services. Natural gas is available through Piedmont Natural Gas Company with local telephone service through Bell South.
Water System
The city's water system uses the Catawba River as its source with a total finished water capacity of 18 million gallons per day ("MGD"). Present peak demand requirements are slightly in excess of 10 MGD. Approximately 70% of the capacity is available for industry use.
The Catawba River Water Filtration Plant utilizes high-rate mixed-bed filtration and to ensure uninterrupted service, with or without paid power, the facility has a standby generator.
The water system has a clear well capacity of 5 million gallons and elevated storage capacity of 3.3 million gallons and serves approximately 9,150 customers. Among its water customers are two municipalities and two rural water corporations. The total population served is approximately 23,000.
Sanitary Sewer System
The City's wastewater treatment plant which incorporates the principle of pure oxygen treatment and has a present capacity of 10.5 MGD. Current average daily flow is 3.4 MGD. Wastewater solids are composted using the aerated static pile method, then screened and sold to the public. The City's sanitary sewer system serves approximately 6,200 industrial and domestic customers and an overall population of approximately 17,300.
Electrical Distribution System
The municipally owned electrical distribution system services Morganton and certain areas up to five miles outside of the city limits. Electric power is purchased from North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1, a joint agency of the State created under G.S. Chapter 159B (the "Power Agency"), and distributed to approximately 8,000 customers.
In 2007, the City was recognized by the American Public Power Association as a "Reliable Public Power Provider." Achieving certification as a Reliable Public Power Provider involved extensive review of Morganton's electrical system including reliability, safety, training and system betterment. Morganton is one of 20 communities in North Carolina that were certified as Reliable Public Power Providers and the certification remains two years.
The City and 18 other State municipalities are members ("Participants") of the Power Agency, a joint agency of the State created under Chapter 159B of the general statutes of North Carolina, as amended, which owns a 75% undivided ownership interest in the 1,145 megawatt Unit 2, and a 37.5% undivided ownership interest in certain support facilities of the Catawba Nuclear Station (the "Project"), in York County, South Carolina. In addition, the Power Agency has entered into certain agreements (the "Project Agreements") with Duke Power Company ("Duke"), a co-owner of the Project, for the continued operation of the Project by Duke, for interconnection of the Project with the Duke electric system and certain other service by Duke to the Power Agency.
CoMPAS Cable TV
(City of Morganton Public Antenna System)
In 1993, the City completed the construction of a state-of-the-art, fiber optic, cable television delivery system, which is owned and operated by the City.
The city-owned and operated cable TV system, CoMPAS (City of Morganton Public Antenna System), passes over 7,300 homes with over 140 miles of aerial and underground cable plant, providing service to 5,800 subscribers. Following the completion of a major rebuild and upgrade to be completed in late fall of 2003, the system will offer 77 basic channels with more that 240 channels available through a variety of digital, Video-on-demand, Pay-per-view and High Definition choices. High speed Internet access will be available in spring of 2004.
In May of 2003, the city council approved $7,325,000 in installment debt under G.S. 160A-20 to finance the reconstruction and rebuilding of the City of Morganton owned and operated cable television system (CoMPAS). This reconstruction is currently underway with digital service beginning in late 2003 and Video-on-demand and high speed Internet access in spring of 2004.
Police and Fire Protection
The City's police and fire services are administered under the public safety concept. There are currently 70 full time officer positions, 16 fire engineer positions, and 16 full-time civilian positions. These are compliment by 28 part-time positions.
Solid Waste Collection
City residents enjoy the convenience of backyard solid waste collection and curbside collection of rough trash and yard waste. The waste is deposited at the County-owned transfer station operated by GDS.
Recycling: The city offers a recycling station at Shuey Field off Golf Course Road. The collection stations accept corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, mixed paper, newspapers, plastic milk and soda bottles, and metal cans.
Events & Entertainment
The city's Main Street Office coordinates numerous downtown events and festivals, and free outdoor concerts through its TGIF concert series in May and June.
In June the Main Street Office presents the Tour d'Art. This art crawl showcases the work of local in downtown businesses. The Hot Diggity Dog Festival is a family event featuring crafts, food and free outdoor concerts: the last weekend in June.
The Historic Morganton Festival is two days of rides, crafts, foods and free concerts featuring "big name" artists such as Mark Chessnutt, Chris Cagle and Lee Greenwood. The Historic Morganton Festival is the first weekend following Labor Day each year.
The Morganton Main Street Office also coordinates the annual Christmas parade, downtown carriage rides, Breakfast with Santa, Treat-or-treat in Downtown, an Easter egg hunt and other holiday events.
The City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (COMMA) hosts 125-140 events per year including Broadway productions, concerts, meetings, art displays and receptions. During the fall of 2003, renown fresco artist, Ben Long, will create an original fresco on the ceiling of the CoMMA gallery. CoMMA seats 1058.
Healthcare
The 204-bed Grace Hospital anchors the Grace Healthcare System, which currently includes Phifer Wellness Center (a state-of-the-art fitness center), Grace Heights (full-service skilled nursing facility), Grace Ridge Retirement Community and more. Grace offers a full range of specialized services including 24-hour emergency care.
Valdese General Hospital, about 10 miles from Morganton, is less than a mile off I-40. Located on the hospital campus are College Oaks (a shared housing facility for senior adults), College Pines Nursing Center and Valdese General Home Care. Valdese General provides full-service medical care, including a nationally recognized cancer care center.
Morganton's Broughton Hospital provides high quality inpatient psychiatric care. The 526-bed facility serves 35 counties in Western NC, has about 1,350 employees and provides training to intern and practicum students.
Western Carolina Center in Morganton is an intermediate care facility serving citizens of the western 35 counties of North Carolina who are developmentally disabled. WCC affiliates with colleges and universities, not only to do research but also to provide training for their students.
Recreation
Recreation abounds in Burke County. Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss provide vast expanses for a variety of great water fun! The 6,000-acre South Mountains State Park, as well as marked trails, fields, and streams in the Blue Ridge range, supply additional outlets for hiking, hunting, trout fishing, backpacking and other enjoyment. In addition, organized sports, three 18-hole golf courses (2 of them public), driving ranges, miniature golf, batting cages, movie theaters, bowling and roller skating provide other year-round opportunities.
The county's municipalities are home to some of the most comprehensive recreational facilities and programs for an area this size! In cold weather, snow skiing and other winter sports are available an hour's drive away.
Lake James Park, located west of Morganton on the border with McDowell County, offers swimming, camping, picnicking, nature studies, hiking trails, boating, fishing and mountain views.
The Catawba River Greenway includes a paved and handicapped accessible walking trail, picnic shelters, restrooms, children's playground, fishing piers, a canoe launch and multilevel observation deck.
The city maintains over 364 acres for recreational use including three recreation centers and 12 park facilities. The centers include a 50-meter Olympic size outdoor pool and a 25-yard indoor pool, two gymnasiums, rooms for meetings and instructional purposes, a gymnastics spring floor and equipment, and administrative offices. The Morganton Recreation Department offers year-round activities for all ages and abilities.
Parks include 14 lighted baseball/softball fields, 15 lighted hard surface tennis courts, a lighted football stadium, a skeet/trap shooting range and a soccer complex with two professional regulation lighted soccer fields. The soccer fields include parking, field-house, restrooms, concession stand/covered picnic area and office space.
Adjoining the complex is the Catawba River Greenway Park with additional parking, walking tracks, playground equipment and a multipurpose play areas. The park flows along the shores of the Catawba River as it winds though the city limits. The Greenway has a paved, handicapped accessible walking trail, observation deck, fishing piers, playground, rest rooms, and picnic areas.
|
