Helpful Links

The Greater Hickory Metro is served by six independent school systems, including:

Schools of Higher Learning include:

Appalachian State University has four satellite campuses:

Appalachian Regional Commission - The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a federal-state partnership that works for sustainable community and economic development in Appalachia. The ARC region is a 205,000-square-mile area that follows the spine of the Appalachian mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts like the WPCOG.

Each year ARC provides funding for several hundred projects in the Appalachian Region, in areas such as business development, education and job training, telecommunications, infrastructure, community development, housing, and transportation. These projects create thousands of new jobs; improve local water and sewer systems; increase school readiness; expand access to health care; assist local communities with strategic planning; and provide technical and managerial assistance to emerging businesses.

National Association of Regional Councils - The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) serves as the national voice for regionalism by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues.

National Association of Development Organizations - The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides advocacy, education, peer exchanges and research for the nation’s regional development organizations. The association and its members promote regional strategies, partnerships and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.

National League of Cities - The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.

National Association of Counties - NACo is the only national organization representing county government. The organization was formed as an advocate for the nation's counties, serving as a liaison between them and other levels of government.

North Carolina Association of County Commisisoners - The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is one of the most successful and active statewide local government associations in the nation. The NCACC advocates for county government before the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government.

North Carolina League of Municipalities - The North Carolina League of Municipalities is a nonpartisan association of municipalities in North Carolina. The mission of the League is to enhance the quality of life in municipalities through excellent municipal governance.

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