Business Climate Business is booming at Lake Norman. As housing, commercial and industrial development continues, residents are quickly realizing that they no longer have to commute to Charlotte to work. The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and the newly formed Lake Norman Regional Economic Development Corporation have partnered to bring new companies to the Lake Norman area. In the past decade, the area has evolved from one characterized by mostly small, local businesses to an attractive spot for larger companies. Perhaps the greatest boon to Lake Norman’s economy is Lowe’s corporate headquarters in Mooresville. The home-improvement giant – ranked second in the nation – currently employs about 2,000 workers. An expansion currently under way would allow for as many as 2,000 more workers, bringing to total number of workers to 4,000. Eventually, Lowe’s headquarters will employ 8,000 workers in two million square feet of space. The presence of Lowe’s headquarters has prompted growth nearby. Legacy Village is a retail and residential development of luxury condominiums and townhomes. Catalina Bay Business Park will include commercial and office space as well as a 12-story, 250-room Marriott Hotel. In Huntersville, Metrolina Greenhouses is one of the largest greenhouses in the country. The wholesale plant company sells to mass merchandisers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart. Huntersville Business Park houses many of Lake Norman’s larger businesses, including Microban and Daetwyler. Cornelius is home to Foamex, which creates foam for bedding, furniture and automotive parts. Davidson College, another top employer in the area, provides opportunities for higher learning and contributes to the area’s educated population. On the west side of the lake, CommScope in Catawba, a cable manufacturer, employs more than 1,000. R-Anell Custom Homes in Denver is also one of the area’s top employers. Because Lake Norman was created as a source of energy, Duke Power’s plants also benefit the area’s economy. McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville employs more than 1,000 workers and Marshall Steam Station in Terrell employs about 400. Lake Norman businesses continue to expand their facilities. In Davidson, Ingersoll-Rand recently added a 120,000-square-foot office building that adds 1,000 workers to its payroll. The company anticipates more expansion on its 177-acre campus over the next decade. Rubbermaid recently announced it will open its new Food Service Products division in Huntersville at NorthPointe Executive Park. The division will add more than 100 professional and administrative positions averaging a salary of $70,000. The increased popularity of NASCAR in the past decade has galvanized racing businesses, particularly in Mooresville, also known as Race City USA. Dale Earnhardt Inc. in Mooresville is a multi-million dollar company that owns Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, the Kannapolis Intimidators baseball team and three Nextel Cup racing teams. At the Huntersville Business Park, Joe Gibbs Racing owns the racing teams of Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. One of the fastest-growing industries in the region is health care. In 1999, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center moved to a new 117-bed facility in Mooresville. The hospital is one of the top employers in the Lake Norman area. Presbyterian Healthcare recently opened its Huntersville Hospital off Gilead Road. With 50 beds, the $55.7 million hospital covers more than 165,000 square feet. Retail development is also thriving. In 2002, Birkdale Village opened to much fanfare in Huntersville. The live-work development uses an old-time Main Street design with restaurants and shops on the street and living quarters above, so residents can shop or grab a bite to eat without having to drive to another destination. The success of Birkdale Village has encouraged similar mixed-use developments, such as nearby Vermillion. Lake Norman residents can now enjoy the area’s first regional mall, Northlake, located at the intersection of I-77 and Reames Road. The mall’s target market includes most of the Lake Norman area. Anchored by Belk, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Hecht’s and a 14-screen movie theater, the mall includes about 150 specialty stores. The project brings about 2,000 jobs to the area. Smaller retail businesses are also flourishing. Cornelius is quickly becoming known for its antiques as shops open up along East Catawba Avenue. Similarly, downtown Davidson’s appeal is in its quaint shops, including the Village Store, which offers decorations and gifts. Undoubtedly, Lake Norman’s appeal lies in its beauty and potential for recreational activities. For this reason, the Lake Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau has been successful at marketing the lake for sports events, including fishing tournaments, softball tournaments and boating events. In 2004, Lake Norman hosted the Junior Bassmaster Classic and the World Cup Diving Trials at Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center.