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Welcome to our new website

We hope you’ll find our website richer in information and easier to use than ever before. Visit often to stay up-to-date on news from the Rural Center and rural North Carolina. As always, we’ve kept the resources you use most often easily accessible. You’ll find the Rural Data Bank, Rural Resource Guide, grant applications and more in the right-hand menu. Please feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions or comments.

 

Grants available for job-generating projects

The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is making nearly $24 million in grants available to create jobs in North Carolina’s 85 rural counties. The grants will support job-generating building reuse and water-sewer projects. Read the news release.
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Join the Small Towns Discussion Board

Our new discussion board is a place where people who care about small towns can share ideas and resources for economic improvement. Go to discussion board.
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Entrepreneurship seminar offered

The Rural Center’s Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship is offering an intensive daylong seminar Aug. 17 in Pilot Mountain. Energizing Entrepreneurship Express (E2) is designed to help rural leaders in central and western North Carolina promote entrepreneurship in their communities. Read more.

 

20 grants awarded

The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center has awarded 20 grants totaling $4.3 million to create jobs and address clean water needs throughout North Carolina. The grants will assist communities in 17 rural counties and create 357 jobs. Read the press release.

 

Rules change for grant programs

The Rural Center has revised rules governing building reuse grants. Applicants should be sure to use the revised application. The center also has extended a modification to matching requirements for economic infrastructure water and sewer grants. Read the press release.

 

NC STEP town promotes entrepreneurship

Bayboro, a participant in the N.C. Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program, is working toward long-term revitalization. It has spearheaded a countywide effort to promote entrepreneurship starting in the school system. “If you’re going to instill the entrepreneurial spirit in someone, you have to introduce them to the concept early,” said Cleve Cox, president of Pamlico Community College. Read more about Bayboro’s project.

 

Leadership program graduates 30

RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco challenged graduates of the Rural Economic Development Institute to lead the way “out of the hole” of recession. The program graduated 30 rural leaders May 7 after an intensive, three-month leadership training program. Read more.
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Self-employment program passes 1-year mark

In just over a year, the Growing America Through Entrepreneurship (GATE) program has helped 60 laid-off workers throughout rural North Carolina fulfill their dreams of owning their own businesses. Since its launch in April 2009, the program has provided 587 aspiring entrepreneurs with one-on-one business counseling and scholarships for finance, management and vocational courses at local community colleges. Read more about the project.

 

Giving laid-off workers a hand

Scotland Neck gets a local access point to North Carolina’s JobLink employment and training services, through the cooperation of local organizations and the center’s Community Mobilization project. Site sponsors held an open house in April. Read more about the project.
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