Milestones: 1986-2005

1986

Release of report of recommendations by the Commission on Jobs and Economic Growth, calling for the creation of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center.
Development of organizational plans for the center. Initial funding by the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

1987

Rural Center incorporation.
Election of William Friday, president emeritus of the University of North Carolina, as chairman of the Rural Center board of directors. Appointment of Billy Ray Hall as president of the center.
Initial appropriation by the N.C. General Assembly for operations and a program of research and demonstration.
Initiation of the "North Carolina Rural Capital Markets Analysis," the state's first comprehensive examination of business financing needs. A final report revealed that while the state's commercial banking structure is strong, there exists a shortage of financing for small business and a shortage of equity capital.
Release of the first edition of the center's newsletter, Rural Routes.

1988

Release of "Programs, Problems and Pioneers," a summary of rural economic development programs existing in North Carolina.
In cooperation with the State Treasurer, the General Assembly, and the state's banking community, establishment of the North Carolina Enterprise Corporation, a private, for-profit investment corporation designed to provide equity financing for rural businesses.
With funding from the General Assembly, establishment within the center of a minority economic development program to 1) increase business lending by minority credit unions and 2) encourage the growth of community development corporations in minority communities.
Funding support for the demonstration of an advanced training program for high school and community college students called TechPrep. (The program is now operating in nearly all North Carolina school systems, reaches 100,000 students, and serves as a model for schools throughout the nation.)
Release of the North Carolina Rural Profile, which detailed for the first time the economic and social disparities between rural and urban counties. (The report was covered on the front page of most major newspapers in the state and received widespread interest.)
In cooperation with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development of the Council of State Governments, host for a national rural economic development conference that brought together the country's leading public officials and professionals in rural development.

1989

Based on a highly successful model from Bangladesh, initiation of a pilot project in microenterprise lending to boost the start-up and expansion of small "homegrown" businesses in rural areas.
Initiation of two pilot leadership development programs--the Rural Economic Institute, a statewide program focusing on established rural leaders; and the Rural Leaders Program, a regional program targeted to emerging leaders in local communities.
Funding support for the Farm Survival Project, which helped more than 70 North Carolina farmers, faced with foreclosure by the Farmers Home Administration, save their farms.
Completion of a study on the state's wastewater and solid waste needs and the ability of rural governments to finance these needs; release of the report, "The Waste Crunch in Rural North Carolina: Who'll Foot the Bill?"
Sponsorship of the center's first Rural Partners Banquet.

1990

Sponsorship of the North Carolina Rural Summit, a gathering of North Carolina's top policy makers, to address major challenges facing the state's rural people and communities. This was followed by a year-long study of major issues and options for action.
Funding support for a major educational report detailing the disparities between urban and rural school systems, linking the ability of local governments to finance schools with student achievement. The report, "All That's Within Them," led to a multi-million dollar investment by the General Assembly in small and rural school systems.
Funding support for a study pointing to the need for affordable, quality day in rural areas. This set the stage for significant steps by the State of North Carolina to address child care needs for working families.
Release of a report revealing that almost a quarter of a million North Carolinians were living without complete indoor plumbing. The report, "Living Without the Basics: The hidden water and wastewater crisis in rural North Carolina," received widespread interest, including coverage in the Wall Street Journal.
Establishment within the center of NCexCHANGE, a computer-based network that linked grassroots leaders on a daily basis with state and national policy and decision makers and a wealth of information.
Initiation of the Farmers Market Coupon demonstration project to enable low-income mothers and children to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and small farmers to increase their markets. The demonstration moved to the N.C. Department of Agriculture as a permanent program.

1991

In cooperation with four foundations, release of "Securing the Future: Rural Development Strategies for the 1990s," the state's first comprehensive approach to rural development. The center also released an award-winning video by the same name.
Establishment of the Rural Economic Development Institute as a permanent leadership development program of the Rural Center. The institute was based on experience gained through a pilot program begun in 1989.
Establishment of the Microenterprise Loan Program as a permanent program of the Rural Center. The micro program was based on experienced gained through a pilot program begun in 1989.
In cooperation with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and Wayne County leaders, initiation of Project Enable, a pilot program designed to provide computer-based basic skills training for employees of small businesses.
Development of the first strategic plan for the Rural Center by the board of directors. Election of Dr. Charles E. Bishop, nationally recognized economist and university leader, as chairman of the Rural Center board.

1992

Expansion of the Microenterprise Loan Program to serve more than half of the state's rural areas.
Receipt of a $2 million program related investment (low interest loan) from the Ford Foundation to increase the size of the center's microenterprise loan pool.
Release of the second edition of the "North Carolina Rural Profile," the center's most widely requested publication.
Initiation of the Hertford Initiative, a three-year, comprehensive economic development project in an economically distressed county of northeastern North Carolina.

1993

Announcement of the North Carolina Rural Initiative, an economic stimulus package estimated at more than $85 million, made possible through a partnership of state, federal, and local governments, the state banking community, and non-profit organizations. The announcement, attended by more than 600 people, was followed by series of regional briefings.
With the support of the General Assembly, establishment of the Supplemental and Capacity Building Grants Fund to help rural communities upgrade their water and sewer facilities.
Co-sponsorship of the state's first Non-Profit Summit, to explore ways non-profits and government can work together to increase their effectiveness.
Host for the national meeting of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity.
Sponsorship of four Editors Roundtables, a series of discussions with North Carolina editors about issues affecting rural areas. The roundtables were co-hosted by local newspapers. Release of the "North Carolina Rural Services Directory."
Funding support for development of the report, "Technology in the School House," detailing the outdated state of technology in rural schools. (The report ultimately led to major funding by the General Assembly for technology upgrades.)
Creation of the Church Child Care Initiative to involve all segments of the faith community in providing quality child care for working families in poor rural communities; sponsorship of a policy forum and technical workshops; release of "A Child at the Door: a guidebook for starting child care programs in rural churches."
Initiation of a project to test the effectiveness of apprenticeship programs for improving the work force preparation of students not planning on pursuing a four-year degree.
At the request of Governor Jim Hunt, organization of the North Carolina Rural Development Council, one of 37 programs nationwide designed to improve cooperation at all levels of government to better serve rural areas.

1994

In cooperation with state banks, initiation of the North Carolina Capital Access Program to increase financing for small and medium size businesses in rural areas. (The program is currently the 2nd fastest growing in the nation.)
In partnership with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, sponsorship of the state's first Rural Tele-Forum, a live video teleconference that brought together nearly 850 people at five sites for a first-hand lesson in telecommunications.
In cooperation with the Rural Development Council, host for one of five workshops held nationwide for rural leaders to explain Clinton's Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities program.
In partnership with the Duke Endowment, sponsorship of a Church Child Care Conference, a day-long series of seminars covering such issues as program options, funding sources and licensing regulations; keynote speaker was former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young.
With support from the General Assembly, initiation of the N.C. Child Day Care Loan Guarantee Fund to help build and improve child care facilities in rural areas. The program is carried out in partnership with three North Carolina banks.
Release, in partnership with the Day Care Services Association, of "Child Care Subsidy," a report that reveals that rural families are less likely to benefit from child care subsidies.
In cooperation with UNC-CH Institute for Economic Development, assessment of the modernization needs of rural manufacturers and ways in which assistance can be structured.
Sponsorship of the 1994 Rural Partners Forum, "Financing the Dream: What rural areas should know about raising money in the 1990s."

1995

In cooperation with the Rural Development Council, initiation of the Rural Water/Sewer Initiative, an ambitious effort to create the nation's first statewide database and computer mapping system for all community water and sewer systems.
Receipt of a $1 million grant from the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce to fund construction of a permanent home for the center. Also, receipt of land for building site, under long-term, cost-free lease, from Wake County.
Sponsorship of the Rural Resources Fair, a day-long event providing rural leaders an opportunity to learn about ways to improve access to resources. As part of the fair, the center released the first edition of the "Rural Resources Guidebook."
Funding support for the assessment of export potential of manufacturers in western counties and recommend policy and program options.

1996

Sponsorship of Regional Economic Development Roundtables at four locations across the state to give local leaders a voice in recommendations focused on five rural issues.
Leadership by center president Billy Ray Hall in development of the state's long-term disaster recovery plan, following Hurricane Fran. Former Governor Bob Scott led the center in the interim.
Release of the "Rural Economic Index," a report on the economic performance of North Carolina's 85 rural counties, based on comparisons with similar counties throughout the United States and Southeast.
Release of "Unleashing Local Potential," a report on the Hertford Initiative, describing how the project worked, its accomplishments, and critical lessons for other rural communities.
Release of "Toward More Competitive Factories," a summary of three strategies for modernizing North Carolina's rural industrial base.
Celebration of the 10th Rural Economic Development Institute. (The Institute has now graduated more than 500 leaders.)
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Rural Center's new office building.
Election of Kelly King, president of Southern National Corporation, as chairman of the Rural Center's board of directors.

1997

Receipt of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development from President Clinton in a White House ceremony. The micro program was featured in the Sunday edition of the Atlanta Constitution.
Release of preliminary results of a center study showing that the state's water and sewer needs total more than $11 billion. This study doubled previous estimates of need.
Dedication of the center's new office building on March 24. Approximately 200 federal, state, and local dignitaries attended the ceremonies.
First management training workshops held for community-based organizations by center in cooperation with the state Division of Community Assistance.
Presentation by the president at the Power Summit in Winston-Salem. This marked the first position taken by the center calling for state leadership to "go slow" on electric restructuring based on its potential impact to rural communities.
Sponsorship of "High Stakes: Winning Strategies" the annual Rural Partners Forum held at the Raleigh Plaza Hotel and Raleigh Convention Complex. As part of the forum, the center released the new edition of the "Rural Resources Guidebook" and "Rural Strategies That Work," a compendium of best practices for rural development.
Meeting of state leaders convened by Chairman King to discuss escalating water and sewer needs in North Carolina and a plan of action for addressing the needs.
Presentation of the first award for Outstanding Rural Leadership by the Rural Economic Development Organization (REDO) and the Rural Center.

1998

Issues survey conducted by the center to determine top rural development priorities for the future. The survey consisted of four parts: 1) a survey of business leaders; 2) a survey of board members; 3) a survey of policy leaders; and 4) five nominal group meetings with local leaders.
Board retreat held at Aquaduct Conference Center to address top rural development issues. Discussions were based on survey results (see above) and draft policy papers. The board agreed to follow up the retreat with a policy report.
Co-sponsorship of a statewide conference on the role of communities of faith in child care issues and welfare reform.
Initiation of a demonstration project called Community Education for Enterprise Development, or CEED, to support small communities in creating strategic plans for local business development.
Funding support for ExplorNet, the computer recycling initiative that is building the capacity of students to become computer technicians and helping put upgraded computers in rural schools across the state.
Legislation passed by General Assembly calling for a bond referendum on $800 million in water and sewer funds and $200 million in natural gas funds. The Rural Center served as lead staff for the effort.
1998 Rural Partners Forum, held at the Wake County Office Park, featured the release of "Clean Water: Our Livelihood, Our Life" and a companion report, "The County Catalogue." In conjunction with the forum, the center hosted "Celebrate Rural North Carolina," an evening of rural entertainment.
Approval of the water and sewer/natural gas bonds by the people of North Carolina. As a result, the Rural Center will receive $115 million over the next six years to administer supplemental, capacity, and unsewered communities grants.

1999

Study launched by the Rural Center to determine the impact on tobacco-dependent communities of the state's settlement with the tobacco industry. Leading the study: a 27-member team of state economic and tobacco experts.
Initiation of a demonstration project in collaboration with the N.C. Division of Social Services and the state's faith community to develop strategies for helping individuals make the successful transition from welfare to work.
First water and sewer grant awards made to rural communities with funds from the statewide Clean Water Bonds. In addition to the center's existing Supplemental and Capacity Building Grant programs, an Unsewered Community Grants program was added to meet the needs of communities lacking service.
Release of "Choices for a New Century" (report and video) at the 1999 Rural Partners Forum. "Choices" describes the sweeping economic changes in rural North Carolina and the challenges they pose for rural people and communities.
Staffing support for the Rural Prosperity Task Force and active participation in establishment of the Golden L.E.A.F. (Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation).
Management of the Hurricane Floyd Redevelopment Center by Rural Center president Billy Ray Hall. (The redevelopment center was housed in center's facilities.)

2000

Regional meetings conducted at five sites to share information on the "Choices" report and to engage local leaders in discussions about top concerns and recommendations for action.
Release of a revised edition of "A Child at the Door," the popular guidebook designed to help churches start and build child care programs in rural communities. The new guidebook was presented at the center's annual communities of faith conference.
Conference on North Carolina Communities in the Digital Economy, focusing on options for closing the digital divide. During the conference the center released "Claiming the Future," a handbook to help rural communities take advantage of opportunities associated with emerging technology.
Planning and fund-raising for the North Carolina Sustainable Communities Initiative. The initiative, designed to build leadership and community capacity in rural areas, grew out of the work of the Rural Prosperity Task Force.
Designation by the N.C. General Assembly as lead staff for the newly created Rural Internet Access Authority. The purpose of the authority will be to bring high speed Internet service to all North Carolina communities within three years.
Designation by the N.C. General Assembly as lead staff for the newly created Agricultural Advancement Consortium. The purpose of the consortium will be to develop a shared vision for farming in North Carolina and to improve farming's long-term vitality.
Regional meetings conducted at five sites to share information on the center's study of tobacco-dependent communities and to engage farmers and community leaders in discussing plans for the future.
Staff and research support for the North Carolina Infrastructure Council, created by the General Assembly as part of the Clean Water Bond Act. The council will develop a long-term capital improvement plan and alternative financing approaches.
2000 Rural Partners Forum, "Investing in our Shared Future," focusing on an array of new programs designed to create opportunities for North Carolina's rural communities.

2001

Establishment of the Rural Internet Access Authority within the center. Jane Smith Patterson named executive director. Seven committees, composed of more than 150 volunteer leaders, began work.
Establishment of the Agricultural Advancement Consortium within the center. Consortium played a key role in getting financial assistance to farmers still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Floyd.
Initiation of effort to identify alternative water resources for the state's central coastal plain, suffering from severe aquifer depletion. The center and collaborating groups held a public hearing in January to gather information from affected communities.
Completion of the first major project of the Internet Access Authority -- a comprehensive inventory of information technology infrastructure in North Carolina.
Launch of burley tobacco marketing center in Asheville to provide western farmers with a local alternative for selling their tobacco. Funded through a grant from the Tobacco Trust Fund.
Launch of new non-profit organization, Faith Partnerships, Inc., to strengthen the capacity of rural churches to serve those in poverty. The organization will build on the center's successful work with the faith community in child care and worker training.
2001 Rural Partners Forum, "Rural NC Goes Online," focusing on the latest developments in information technology and the potential for North Carolina's rural communities.

2002

Establishment of the Phase II Capital Access Program. The new program, funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation, Appalachian Regional Commission and the Rural Center, is expected to produce $100 million in business loans.
Completion of an intensive study of the decreasing groundwater levels in 15 eastern counties and development of a series of recommendations for developing water alternatives. The center presented findings at a series of local meetings.
$17 million in grants awarded by the Internet Access Authority for telecenter development, public engagement projects, e-communities sites, public access sites, digital literacy training and to expand connectivity.
Award of the first Civic Ventures Fund grants to 22 counties in western North Carolina to assist them in undertaking projects to rejuvenate their communities. The program was funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Launch of a new Rural Data Bank on the center's web site, containing an expanded database of more than 90 indicators, county and topical profiles, and a flexible tool for custom searches.
Launch of the monthly electronic newsletter, Rural Partners UPDATE, to provide up-to-date information on a wide range of national, state and local issues affecting life in rural communities.
Establishment of the Rural Partners Corporate Group, which provides financial support for center operations and guidance on economic issues through a Rural Partners Roundtable.
Release of "Manufacturing Layoffs: Hard Times for Rural Factories, Workers and Communities," a report detailing the ongoing shifts in the state's economic structure and dramatic job losses beginning with the recessions of 2001.
Release of "Saying 'Yes' to Small Business," a report on the Rural Center's two-year Community Education for Enterprise Development (CEED) project.

2003

Announcement of the Microenterprise Loan Program's "million dollar club" composed of borrowers who have turned their micro-sized businesses into million-dollar enterprises.
Five regional economic forums held to discuss issues facing rural communities as a result of the extended economic turndown and job loss in the manufacturing sector.
Release of the first issue of "North Carolina Rural Economy," a quarterly report providing information on rural jobs, unemployment, and economic trends.
Release of Breaking Ground, a report chronicling the Rural Center's first 15 years of service to rural North Carolina.
2003 Rural Partners Forum, "HomeGrown Jobs: fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in rural North Carolina," focusing on small business development as a major economic strategy for creating jobs and strengthening rural communities.
Establishment of the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship to spur small business growth statewide. Early initiatives included creation of a 30-member Business Resource Alliance and a $600,000 entrepreneurship demonstration program.
Associated with the institute, the creation of the New Opportunities for Workers (NOW) program, a $1.1 million initiative to help displaced manufacturing workers receive training to start their own businesses.
Election of Tom Lambeth, a leader in the state's philanthropic community who served as head of Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for 20 years, as chairman of the Rural Center's board of directors.

2004

Center's investment in 50 "unsewered communities" reaches $116.5 million. The unsewered program was created in 1999 with Clean Water Bond funds to address critical environmental and public health needs in towns with fewer than 5,000 people.
Announcement of 11 entrepreneurship grants to help communities create jobs and jump start small business growth. The overall goal will be to establish a culture of entrepreneurship that will sustain small business development for years to come.
Launch of Project New Start, a jobs assistance and training program for dislocated workers, to be administered in partnership with local non-profit organizations. Funding provided by the Tobacco Trust Fund.
Launch of the Water 2030 Initiative, a far-reaching water resources study to provide North Carolina's leaders and citizens with the information they need to make sound decisions about the state's water future.
Release of the third edition of the North Carolina Rural Profile, an overview of economic and social trends in rural North Carolina during the high-growth period of the 1990s.
Release of the report, "Health Insurance in North Carolina," describing the magnitude of the health insurance crisis across the state and how it is putting small businesses and rural workers at serious risk.
Rural Dislocated Worker Summit held in September to focus attention on workers laid off through plant closings and downsizings. The summit kicked off the process to develop a rural dislocated worker action agenda for North Carolina.
Establishment of a $20 million Economic Infrastructure Fund by the General Assembly in July to stimulate jobs growth in rural and economically distressed communities. The Rural Center announced the first $14.6 million in grant awards on September 30.
Release of three reports at the 2004 Rural Partners Forum: "Understanding the Environment for Entrepreneurship in North Carolina"; "Entrepreneurship Education and Training Directory"; and a "report card" on the accomplishments of the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship in its first year.
Announcement of the first results of the Water 2030 study, revealing that North Carolina's water and sewer infrastructure needs will reach $15 billion in 25 years.

2005

Awarding of final water and sewer improvement grants funded by the 1998 Clean Water Bonds. All together, the bonds enabled 1,069 projects in 97 counties across the state while creating or saving more than 43,000 jobs.
Release of "Gaining a Foothold: An Action Agenda to Aid North Carolina's Dislocated Workers.� The 10-step plan to help laid-off workers is a product of the center's Rural Dislocated Worker Initiative.
Announcement of the $5 million Hurricane Recovery Business Area Redevelopment Program to help western communities repair damage from a series of 2004 storms.
Receipt of $2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to create a comprehensive entrepreneurship development system to serve rural and minority entrepreneurs in low-wealth areas of the state, furthering the work of the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship.
Conclusion of the first phase of Project New Start, a jobs assistance and training program for dislocated workers. During Phase I, the program served more than 600 dislocated tobacco workers in Vance, Wilson, Transylvania and Buncombe counties and helped more than 240 secure new jobs.
New legislative appropriation of $20 million in each of the next two years for the N.C. Economic Infrastructure Fund. In its initial year, the program helped launch 247 new businesses and put 10,539 people to work across the state.
Release of the Findings Report, �Small Business 101: Why financial literacy is critical to small business success.�
Commemoration of 10th anniversary of the Center�s Capital Access Program. In its first decade, the program provided $60 million in business capital to nearly 1,200 new and expanding ventures � loans that kept 10,550 North Carolinians working.
Launch of the $10.5 million Small Towns Initiative to revitalize North Carolina towns dealing with economic hardships. The initiative was announced at the 2005 Rural Partners Forum, �Small Town, NC: Embracing Change, Taking Charge,� held in November.
Release of two publications in conjunction with the launch of the Small Towns Initiative. The �North Carolina Small Towns Fact Book� documents the current state of North Carolina's small towns, home to nearly 920,000 people. The �Small Towns Resource Directory� compiles programs and agencies offering assistance to small towns.

2006

Daylong briefing in February on findings of Water 2030 Initiative for more than 250 water resourceful professionals, lawmakers and policy officials.
Release of four reports documenting work of the Water 2030 Initiative. The reports examine the impact of the 1998 Clean Water Bonds; track state infrastructure investments from 1994 through 2005; detail $16.6 billion in needed water, sewer and stormwater investments over the next 25 years; and project statewide water supply and demand through 2030. Resulting recommendations include a new $1 billion clean water bonds measure.
Formation of the Coalition of State Rural Policy Centers, a national network of leading agencies dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for rural people. The Rural Center is one of the founding members.
Selection of 20 sites for the N.C. Small Towns Economic Prosperity (NC STEP) demonstration program, a three-year revitalization effort. Kick-off celebrations marked the occasion in each community.
Ground-breaking for Rural Center�s new conference and training facility on July 21.
The 2006 Rural Partners Forum, �Creating Rural Advantage,� focusing on ways communities can improve their global competitiveness.
Release of �Fertile Ground: North Carolina leaders speak out on the future of agriculture,� a collection wide-ranging interviews with 20 farm leaders from across the state.
Release of �Creating Entrepreneurial Communities: Facts about high-growth entrepreneurs in rural North Carolina,� a report from the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship. It shows that one-third of rural companies doubled in sales and/or employment between 2001 and 2005.
Release of �Back on Track: 16 Promising Practices to Help Dislocated Workers, Businesses and Communities,� a report of the Dislocated Workers Initiative in conjunction with CFED. It describes some of the nation�s more successful programs helping workers find new jobs at decent wages.

2007

Release of �Creating Entrepreneurial Communities: Profiles of high-growth entrepreneurs in rural North Carolina,� a report from the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship.
Release of �NC STEP Communities Notebook: Getting Starting,� with profiles of communities participating in the Small Towns Economic Prosperity demonstration and a description of the overall program.
The 2007 Rural Partners Forum with the theme "North Carolina Rural Leaders: Lighting the Way Forward.
Celebration of the Rural Center's 20th anniversary.
As co-convener of state biofuels working group and member of steering committee, released �Fueling North Carolina�s Future: North Carolina�s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership.�
Testimony to congressional committee on Rural Development Title of the Farm Bill.
Release of "Framing our Economic Future: An Entrepreneuriship Agenda for North Carolina" at a center-sponsored summit.
Launch of the Rural Venture Fund to invest long-term in businesses with potential for growth in economically distressed counties.
$100 million appropriation by N.C. General Assembly for critical water and sewer needs.
Redesign and expansion of center�s leadership development program. Includes revised curriculum for signature Rural Economic Development Institute; advanced training workshops for REDI graduates; two summits to explore needs for leadership development among youth and women. Also planned: in-depth briefings on key rural issues, policy think tanks that convene top-level leaders around specific policy issues, and two series taking outreach programs into rural communities.
Completion and dedication of new conference and training facility.
Work with N.C. congressional delegation to secure extension and expansion of Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
Convened working group for state equine economic assessment.