Business filings point to steady entrepreneurial activity in Burke, Caldwell

New business formation cooled across Burke and Caldwell counties in August, but entrepreneurs continued to create companies far faster than existing entities disappeared from the state registry.

North Carolina Secretary of State records show 93 new entities were registered in the two counties during August, including 48 in Burke County and 45 in Caldwell County. Limited liability companies accounted for 75 of the registrations, or about 81% of the total. The remainder included 10 business corporations, four professional limited liability companies, three nonprofits, and one limited liability partnership.

“The rate at which new organizations form is critically important for our local economy. Opening of new businesses, or even the thought of a new entrepreneur taking the first step and registering with the Secretary of State, is where we find the sweet spot for service,” said Bryan Moore, president and CEO of the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce. “Often, these individuals are taking a leap of faith to follow a dream.”

August registrations declined from 115 recorded in July in the latest year-to-date state export, a decrease of about 19%. June, with 134 registrations across the two counties, remains the strongest month of 2026 so far.

The broader trend remains decidedly positive.

Through Aug. 31, Burke and Caldwell counties had recorded 855 new business registrations in 2026 — 464 in Burke County and 391 in Caldwell County, according to The Paper’s analysis of Secretary of State records.

During the same eight-month period, state records show 166 businesses were dissolved, administratively dissolved or withdrawn — 97 in Burke and 69 in Caldwell. That leaves a net gain of approximately 689 registered entities across the two counties: 367 in Burke and 322 in Caldwell.

BURKE COUNTY

Morganton continued to dominate business creation in Burke County in August, accounting for 32 of the county’s 48 registrations. Connelly Springs followed with eight; Valdese had five; Hildebran, two; and Nebo, one.

Burke’s August filings again reflected the importance of construction, property, and home-service businesses to local entrepreneurship.

New companies included Aguilar Pro Framing, MB Drywall & Framing, Bluebonnet Building Co., Apex Plumbing Solutions, Four Seasons Property Maintenance, Hometown Landscapes, and Cook’s Property Solutions. Property-related registrations included Mack Land & Development, DM Properties & Holdings, Handy Pocket Properties, Beacon Ridge Realty, and Ramp Holdings.

“We are hesitant to comment on this because when looking at the list you gave there are several of the locations (out of the 32) that are not inside City of Morganton limits,” said Jonelle B. Sigmon, Morganton’s public information officer. “Several of these on the lists are land holding companies or LLCs that are buying or selling real estate... not businesses that create jobs, etc.”

Health and professional services also showed up prominently. Kong Peng Lor D.M.D. PLLC registered in Valdese, while Morganton-area registrations included Still Waters Psychiatric Services, Marie Carey Counseling & Consultation, and A Better Way of Living Group Home. Cassie Brown Counseling registered in Valdese.

Other Burke filings ranged from farms and outdoor businesses to transportation, beverages, upholstery, engraving, and entertainment.

August produced five Burke dissolutions or administrative dissolutions, while another entity, Azyll Corp, was listed as converted rather than closed. The dissolved businesses included Specialty Stone, AspectUX, Roaming Ridgeback Properties, A3Sneakers, and Choppin’ Landscape.

“The continued pace of new business formation in Burke and Caldwell counties is an encouraging sign of the entrepreneurial energy and economic confidence in our region,” said Brandon Ruppe, president of the economic development arm, BDI. “While monthly numbers will naturally fluctuate, the broader trend tells us that people are continuing to see opportunities here, start businesses, and invest in our local communities. That kind of activity is an important part of building a resilient and diverse local economy.”

The Burke County Chamber of Commerce did not provide a comment when asked.

CALDWELL COUNTY

Caldwell County followed a similar pattern.

Of its 45 August registrations, 29 listed Lenoir addresses and 11 listed Granite Falls. Hudson and Hickory each accounted for two, while one business registered with a Claremont address.

Construction, real estate and home services were again prominent. Caldwell registrations included Peak Mountain Framing, LGR Remodeling Services, McQuillens Home Improvements, Rury’s Carpentry, Six Stones Development Group, and Foothills Exterior Co.

Real estate-related names included Busy Bee Realty, KM Real Estate Group, and Daisy Mae Investments. Transportation companies included Shield Transport, OMP Transportation and Hood Transportation Systems.

Consumer businesses included Previously Loved Thrift Store, Las Delicias de la Casa, Restaurante Hondumex Tio Rico, Beautifully Blessed Nail Salon, CTA Salon and Kelsey’s Hope Thrift and Consignment. Sage and Soul Counseling registered as a professional LLC in Granite Falls.

“Our community and the role of the Chamber and the role of the CCC&TI Small Business Center is to equip those that are taking that step, with the knowledge, tools, and guidelines that help the dream come to life,” said the Caldwell Chamber’s Moore. “We like to say, let us help you on your journey. Visit with us so we can introduce your business to others who can help power your idea to the next level. We are thrilled to have these new businesses in Caldwell County.”

The City of Lenoir did not respond to a request for comment.

Caldwell recorded nine dissolutions, administrative dissolutions or withdrawals during August. Among them were DS Steel Co., JAS Career Consulting, Oak Hill Charter School PTO, Passage Garden, and ProView Home Inspections. BMB Resorts withdrew its registration. Southeastern Biomedical Associates was converted rather than counted as a closure.

STATEWIDE SURGE

The local numbers are unfolding amid historically strong business creation statewide.

North Carolina recorded 103,866 new businesses during the first six months of 2026, the first time the state surpassed 100,000 formations during the first half of a year. The previous first-half record was about 96,000 in 2021. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said the state was on pace to exceed 200,000 new businesses this year if the trend continued.

Western North Carolina has participated in that growth. Marshall reported last year that new business creation across a 30-county western region was performing slightly better than statewide numbers, with April and May 2025 producing the region’s strongest two-month stretch since early 2024.

Secretary of State registrations should not be confused with traditional business licenses. They record the creation or registration of LLCs, corporations and other legal entities. A filing does not necessarily mean a storefront has opened, employees have been hired or revenue has begun flowing.

The same caution applies to dissolutions. A dissolved or withdrawn entity can represent an actual business closure, but filings can also result from reorganizations, ownership changes, or companies formally cleaning up inactive entities.