Catawba County -- October 15, 2026: Catawba County will gain 105 new jobs as Utili-Serve LLC invests more than $24.8 million to expand its Conover headquarters and construct a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Gov. Josh Stein’s office announced Oct. 14.
The expansion will establish the headquarters as a regional hub for project management, manufacturing and logistics, supporting utility infrastructure projects along the East Coast.
New engineering and panel assembly positions will pay an average annual salary of $62,400, exceeding Catawba County’s average of $56,937. According to the announcement, the new jobs could generate nearly $6.6 million in annual payroll for the region.
“Companies like Utili-Serve are doubling down on their investments in North Carolina because we have the ingredients for businesses to succeed and grow,” Stein said. “This expansion strengthens our position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing, infrastructure development, and innovation as manufacturers help build our modern power grid.”
Founded in Conover in 2008, Utili-Serve provides services to the electrical power industry, including substation construction and maintenance, transformer and apparatus services, protective relay panel manufacturing, installation and commissioning, and general construction. The company operates 30 specialized construction crews across the Southeast.
The Catawba County project will introduce field control and protective relay panel manufacturing to the Conover facility. The expanded operation will help the company coordinate projects from design and fabrication through deployment in the field.
“Conover is our home. Since 2008, we have connected North Carolina and the southeastern United States to power,” said Utili-Serve President Ben Dietrich. “As grid demand grows, Utili-Serve remains committed to supporting our energy partners, investing locally, expanding our capabilities, and creating new opportunities for our employees and community.”
A performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help support the expansion. The company will receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment requirements to qualify for payment. The grant also requires matching participation from local governments.
“Utili-Serve’s pledge to growing in Conover means increased prosperity for hardworking North Carolinians,” said state Sen. Mark Hollo. “These new roles will not only support and strengthen our community but also contribute to a resilient local economy and a bright future.”
Local partners supporting the project include Catawba County, the City of Conover, the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation and Catawba Valley Community College.
Other partners include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System and Duke Energy.
Source: Office of Gov. Josh Stein.