Newton

I live in the thriving metropolis of Newton. It has a population of approximately 8,000 and has a sister city of Conover, due North of Newton, with an additional 5,000 residents. Located in the heart of Catawba County, North Carolina, Newton is the county seat and has been established for 150 years. Catawba County is a rural, industrial, and commercial center for the surrounding five counties. The SMA for the area is approximately 350,000 persons, all of whom shop, eat, and visit in the area.

Primarily known for it’s furniture and textile industries, it later became known for the fiber optic cable industries of Corning, Alcatel, and Comm-Scope. The area is very much under utilized with commerical centers, and could use more restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment centers. It’s nearly impossible to get into most restaurants on week-end nights.

We have many good local high schools and a community college that is outstanding. Nearby Hickory is the largest city in North Carolina without a university, but does boast a fine Lutheran college in Lenoir-Rhyne College. I think they are afraid to put a UNC university in Hickory because it would have to be names University of North Carolina – Hickory, or UNCH. Not really sure, though, it’s more of an ‘unch I have.