Manufacturing Feature: Corning
Nestled in the southern reaches of Cabarrus County, Corning’s manufacturing facility hums on a continuous schedule as the world’s largest optical fiber plant. The presence of Corning’s “Concord” facility just outside of Midland reaches back to 1996 when the company announced the location of its second manufacturing site in North Carolina.
Fast forward 30 years: Corning has grown and expanded its workforce not only in Cabarrus County, but across North Carolina to over 5,000 employees with recently announced plans to increase its workforce in the state by 15-20 percent to support a multiyear, up to $6B deal with Meta. In Cabarrus County, the company has built strong ties with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC), ensuring that the jobs it offers are more than just positions—they’re pathways to financial growth, skill development, and career certifications.
Corning has recently strengthened its partnership with RCCC through new apprenticeship and co-op programs designed to build a strong local pipeline of technical talent. Launched in 2025, the apprenticeship program combines paid, employer-sponsored education with hands-on experience, allowing employees to earn journeyman-level credentials while advancing toward higher-skilled technical roles. Beginning in 2026, a new co-op program extends this partnership by offering RCCC students paid, flexible work opportunities aligned with their studies, creating a direct pathway from classroom learning to long-term careers at Corning and further reinforcing the company’s commitment to workforce development in Cabarrus County.
The impact of Corning’s presence extends well beyond high-wage jobs. The company’s repeated and significant investments have generated substantial local revenue, helping the county fund essential services like education, public safety, human services, and cultural and recreational programs. Due to these investments, Corning has consistently been one of the highest revenue producers for the community.
Beyond jobs and investments, Corning actively supports the well-being of the communities where its employees live and work. Through the Concord plant’s Community Outreach Team, the company provides annual financial support to local organizations that expand access to food security, education, arts, and family services. In 2026, this support will benefit organizations such as Angel Tree, Second Harvest, the Stanly Arts Council, Bethel School Parent Teacher Student Organization, United Way of Greater Charlotte, and the Career and Technical Student Organizations Teacher of the Year program.
Corning employees are also actively engaged in the community, giving their time and talents throughout the year, volunteering with groups including Beds for Kids, Beads of Courage at Levine Children’s Hospital, Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, and the Dilworth Soup Kitchen—reinforcing Corning’s commitment to making a tangible, positive impact across Cabarrus County and the region.
Corning’s facility in Cabarrus County stands as a strong testament to economic development, combining job creation, workforce training, capital investment, and engagement—all fueling the continued growth and vitality of the community. The proactive recruitment of this operation so many years ago has had a transformative impact on our local economy.
