Health Insurance Hickory NC

Hickory began as a small piedmont city whose growth and development moved it from a late nineteenth-century trading center on the Western North Carolina Railroad to a thriving twentieth-century manufacturing center for furniture, hosiery, and textiles. 

The history and development of Hickory have been divided into five stages of growth. The earliest phase began at the end of the eighteenth century and ended with the outbreak of the Civil War (1769-1860). The second phase began when the Civil War ended, as the city's population and the economy expanded as well as increased development in cultural and educational facilities (1861-1900). 

During World War I, construction in the city declined only to be followed by a large increase in population and housing needs, growth of businesses and manufacturing companies, and the extension of public services rendered by local government (1918-1940). 

Growth since 1940- After World War II Hickory continued growing and by 1961 the city boasted forty-six furniture plants, eight-nine hosiery mills, twenty-seven other manufactories, and a population of 37,000 people. A vast urban renewal project as well as continual redevelopment also accompanied this period of growth. Much of the historic fabric of Hickory's downtown was removed or drastically altered in the 1960s and 1970s, leaving gaping holes in the urban landscape. Yet, this period also saw the emergence of historic preservation efforts in Hickory, a trend that has grown in scope by instilling pride in the city's past by encouraging the appreciation, preservation, and continued use of Hickory's historic resources. 

Currently, the City of Hickory has been awarded a grant to conduct a survey of the city's historic resources. The grant will allow the Historic Preservation Commission to hire a certified historic resource professional to identify historic structures along the boundaries of established historic districts. The survey will be used to consider future expansion of Hickory's historic districts. The last survey, conducted in 1979, indicated that there were 168 historical sites within Hickory's city limits. Since this survey was completed, it has been estimated that about 32 of these structures have been demolished. Hopefully, the survey will help the Commission develop a long range historic preservation plan for the City of Hickory, it will also serve as a catalyst for other projects designed to promote, educate, and preserve Hickory's historic treasures.

Jerry Ballard & Associates, Inc. is an award-winning, top-producing, online-based North Carolina Insurance Agency that has attained the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina President's Club Status for excellence since its inception. At NC Health Plans, we offer a variety of insurance products, focusing primarily on the North Carolina health insurance and Medicare markets. Our goal is to provide the highest level of service to our customers while offering the convenience of handling your health insurance needs from the comfort of your own home. A leader in the industry, Jerry Ballard has been the #1 top producing independent insurance agent for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina in individual sales for 11 consecutive years. In August 2014, Jerry was inducted in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Hall of Fame and he has successfully built a team of qualified, professional Agents dedicated to providing exemplary service to both new and existing customers. Not only does our Agency offer outstanding service, we also provide the technological sophistication you need to obtain quick and accurate information via our website, www.nchealthplans.com. In this ever-changing health insurance market, it is more important than ever to have a knowledgeable and professional advocate to help you navigate your insurance needs. At Jerry Ballard & Associates, Inc. we make it our priority to offer you both quality products and personal service.

Our Agency has received an exciting designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of the highest performing agents in the Health Insurance Marketplaces for 3 straight years. The Elite Plus is the top designation in the Marketplace Circle of Champions program, which recognizes the hard work of agents and brokers who help North Carolinians access and manage their health coverage. We have received the Marketplace Circle of Champions designation for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

NC Health Plans offers Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance plans both on and off the Health Insurance Exchange/Marketplace, Medicare Supplement plans, Group Health Insurance and Dental plans for all ages.

For more information about any health plan for North Carolina (NC) residents featured on this website, read each plan’s helpful Frequently Asked Questions section. Or call the friendly professionals at Jerry Ballard & Associates, Inc. your independent North Carolina health and life insurance agency: toll free 888-765-5400 or 252-726-5400.