Each year, local businesses and entrepreneurs are nominated by the community and selected by the Business Development Committee to be recognized for their commitment and support of the City’s vision for economic development.

In December 2017, City Manager Warren Wood presented a new Economic Development Strategic Growth Plan to the Hickory City Council, which included the following vision: “The City of Hickory’s Vision for Economic Vitality is to establish a diversified and sustainable economy through the growth of business opportunities, jobs, tax base, and population, and to improve the quality of life for its citizens.”

The Business Development Committee established the annual awards program to recognize businesses that support and affirm that same vision.

Legacy Awards acknowledge and celebrate businesses that have made a significant impact in Hickory through their longevity, commitment to excellence, and enduring legacy.

The Business. Well Crafted. Legacy Award Program pays tribute to businesses that have stood the test of time and have been an integral part of Hickory's economic and cultural heritage.

This program celebrates the rich history and continued success of these businesses, highlighting their remarkable achievements and celebrating notable milestones.

The City of Hickory's 2025 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners were recognized during the Hickory City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.  

Presented by the City’s Business Development Committee (BDC), the Business. Well Crafted. Awards annually honor businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs that support and affirm the City of Hickory's vision for economic vitality. 

In 2025, the BDC presented Business. Well Crafted. Awards to seven recipients that the committee considered truly well crafted.