Meridian Specialty Yarn Group will expand its' Valdese facility, creating up to 25 new jobs and investing $8 million. Burke Development Inc, in partnership with the Town of Valdese and Burke County, made the announcement Friday. The expansion begins early this year and will allow the company to complete site renovations and construct a new building on their existing property. Meridian manufactures and dyes yarn for various sectors including home furnishings and upholstery, hosiery, apparel, carpets and rugs, sewing thread, craft and industrial textiles. The project is supported by grants from the Town of Valdese and Burke County. The grants total $900,00 and will be spread over five years. The N.C. Department of Commerce has awarded the Town of Valdese two grants totaling about $1.9 million to upgrade the Town's water and wastewater facilities. The expansion will provide increased dye house capacity allowing for greater flexibility and competitiveness in the marketplace. The company currently employs approximately 140 people.

After 25 years of service, Senior Firefighter Tony Crisp has retired from the Hickory Fire Department. Before working for the City, Crisp served as a volunteer firefighter with the West End Fire Department and a reserve firefighter with Morganton Public Safety. He resides in Burke County with his family.