Hickory is for doers and makers seeking a well-rounded community. Located in the foothills of the NC mountains and just an hour northwest of Charlotte, Hickory is a three-time All-America City on the Catawba River and less than one hour from the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway. More than 43,000 residents call Hickory their home. Hickory’s services support the 365,000-person metropolitan area, as the hub for business and commerce. With 26 parks, two libraries, seven fire stations, roughly 650 employees, and a variety of public services, Hickory offers the highest standards in customer service, while incorporating innovation and growth into each of those services. The City of Hickory operates under the council-manager form of government, which combines the political leadership of elected officials and the administrative experience of a city manager. The elected mayor and city council members represent the community, set policy, and guide the long-range vision for Hickory’s future. The city council hires a non-partisan city manager who oversees all city operations. Hickory was the first city in North Carolina, and the third in the nation, to create and exercise the council-manager system. Since its establishment, the council-manager system has become the most popular structure of local government in the United States and is also widely used in other countries such as Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Check out career opportunities with the City of Hickory at www.hickorync.gov/employment or visit www.hickorywellcrafted.com for a web portal all about Hickory and the surrounding areas and what makes Hickory a “Well Crafted” City.