Standing in a class of its own as the regional center for employment, culture, entertainment, healthcare, and education, the City of Hickory is enjoying phenomenal growth and expansion. The completion of the Hickory Ridge Shopping Center represented a $15 million investment in an already booming local economy. With 60 percent of the nation's furniture produced within a 200-mile radius of Hickory, the town attracts shoppers as well as those who are looking for a serene getaway. Historic sites and museums, discovery trails that are off the beaten path, performing arts productions, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality ensure an exceptional quality of life. Community theater, choral groups, musical concerts, the Hickory Museum of Art, Western Piedmont Symphony, and the talented groups of Lenoir-Rhyne College are just a few of the highlights in this active and balanced community. Newcomers will appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside, nestled in the lush foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.