Business in Rutherford County includes manufacturing, services, and several large retail chain stores, such as Staples office supplies, Lowes home improvement, Wal-Mart super center, Tractor Supply, and a handful of restaurant chains such as Chili’s and Fatz. This makes it convenient for the average person to run their smaller business or household.

The workforce of Rutherford County has several midsize manufacturing companies to choose from. There is no huge primary employer (like a GM plant), but good-sized companies such as Timken Bearing, Eaton Hydraulics, Tanner Clothing, Reeves Vulcanizing, Miliken carpet yarns, and Watts Regulator provide much of the economic engine. (A list of manufacturing companies and number of employees is available online here: http://www.rutherfordncedc.com/rutherford_manufacturing_directory).

Other large employers are the school and healthcare systems, plus the State of North Carolina chose Rutherford County for the location of their new Data Center, which is under construction. Warp-speed internet will be installed, and is fueling a growing effort to make this area a leader in the usage of wireless technologies.