Morganton surpasses $8 million worth of construction activity to kick off 2026

Starting 2026 strong, construction activity in Morganton surpassed $8 million. The January construction permits report shows construction for ongoing commercial projects and new residential builds.

January permits totaled $8,784,678, nearly double the construction value in December 2025. The largest category of construction was residential, with 58 permits; followed by commercial, with 33 permits; and lastly, government/institutional projects, with five permits.

Commercial construction, totaling $5.4 million, leaned more toward modernizing and maintaining existing buildings, instead of expansions. However, one large project at Case Farms made up a whopping $4.5 million of commercial construction valuation. The work includes additions to existing ammonia refrigeration systems to support building and process additions to its new breast packaging facility on Rand Street.

Residential construction, totaling $840,880, included only a handful of higher-value projects, with a building permit for a new $350,000 home. Storm-related repairs, HVAC, and plumbing work made up the majority of the residential construction.

For government/institutional projects, construction activity made up $2.5 million. Burke County Public Schools had $2.4 million worth of construction activity for a complete renovation of their future central office building at 305 W. Union St., which was the previous home of Burke United Christian Ministries.

Notable projects:

• Morganton Savings Bank: $15,000 for installation of exterior water meters and water lines at the bank’s future location on North Green Street, which is adjacent to CVS.
• Chicken Salad Chick and Tropical Smoothie Cafe: $225,000 for installation of exterior grease trap, sewer line, and water line. Included in the valuation is mechanical and plumbing work. The two restaurants are expected to open at the former Village Inn location on Burkemont Avenue in late spring/early summer.
• The Industrial Commons: $276,000 for an interior office renovation and bathroom renovation at the nonprofit’s location on Hopewell Road.
• Vida Verde Juicery: $30,000 for an interior upfit of its previous location at 402 W. Fleming Drive, Suite E. The permit report shows $100 worth of upfits at the juicery’s new location, 406 W. Fleming Drive, Suite C, which is still in Tannery Square.
• Blue Ridge Community Action: $117,416 for interior renovations to a brick storage building and HVAC work at their location on North Green Street.