News

Center expects turnout of about 500 for its Feb. 27 Entrepreneurship Summit in Raleigh
The Rural Center and statewide partners will host the second annual Entrepreneurship Summit Feb. 27 at the North Raleigh Hilton. "Framing our Economic Future: An Entrepreneurship Agenda for North Carolina  will feature the announcement of new initiatives designed to stimulate growth of small businesses and establish an entrepreneurship support system in communities throughout North Carolina. On hand to make the announcements will be state and national officials, business leaders and leaders from the educational community. National radio talk show host Jim Blasingame will give the summit's keynote address. Blasingame was recently recognized by Fortune Magazine as being one of the most influential people representing small business interests in America today. North Carolina entrepreneurs will also share personal stories of their path to success. Sponsors include the North Carolina Business Resource Alliance, Rural Entrepreneurship Development System, North Carolina Entrepreneurial Association and the Rural Economic Development Center. For more information, contact Michelle Hall atthe Rural Center, (919) 250-4314.

Lawmakers introduce Clean Water Bond Act of 2007
A group of House and Senate lawmakers that vowed to bring clean water issues to the forefront of the 2007 legislative session have made good on that promise with the introduction of House Bill 127, the Clean Water Bond Act of 2007. Led by House Reps. Bill Owens, William Wainwright, Bruce Goforth and others, the bill would authorize the issuance of $500 million in general obligation bonds through which to provide grants and loans for wastewater and drinking water projects over the next four years. Roughly half of the bond funds, about 47.5 percent, would be administered by the Rural Center through its Clean Water Bonds Program. The center previously administered $240 million of the $800 million Clean Water Bond Act approved by voters in 1998 -- funds it used to help rural and distressed counties in North Carolina build, repair and plan for safe drinking water and wastewater systems. Under the new bond legislation, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources would receive about 23 percent of bond funds to administer through its Clean Water State Revolving Fund and another 23 percent through its Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, while 5 percent would be set aside for use by the N.C. Department of Commerce for economic development purposes. To read the full text of the bill, click here.

E-NC Authority bills aim to boost high-speed connectivity in underserved counties
House and Senate lawmakers have introduced legislation to boost high-speed Internet connectivity in underserved areas of the state. House Bill 40, along with its Senate companion SB 112, is a $10 million piece of legislation that would provide the e-NC Authority with $7,500,000 in grant funds that would be used as incentives for Internet service providers. The grants, which would be awarded on a competitive basis, are aimed at increasing high-speed availability across the state, and especially in 26 counties that currently have less than 70 percent access to broadband technology. To be eligible for the grants, service providers will have to fully match their award and will also be required to fund at least 50 percent of the total project cost. In addition, they must ensure that at least 70 percent of the households in the county where their project is located will have access to high-speed service by 2009. The legislation also includes $2 million to build on and enhance the work of the e-NC Authority's Business and Technology Telecenters, $300,000 for the authority's general operations and research work, and $200,000 to support the authority's grants-making and technology enhancement programs. To view the full text of the bill, click here.

Meetings and Events

Think you have an entrepreneurial idea for a new product? Experts tell how to know on Jan. 30
A unique forum for entrepreneurs will be held Jan. 30 in Greenville at the Greenville Hilton. Entrepreneurs are invited to a short conference at the Greenville Hilton that will walk them through what to do and where to go with their 'good idea.' In particular, participants will come away with a better understanding of whether their idea has the potential to become a marketable product or business. Panelists include successful product and business developers Jeff Basham of Metrics, Inc. and John Peter Valiulis of NAACO. Other speakers include Susie Corbett of N.C. Biotech and Mary McNeil from the N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center. Registration is $25 for the three-hour event, which is part of the Innov8r Series, a component of ECU's Entrepreneurial Initiative. For additional information, visit ECU online or by phone at (252) 737-1355.

Southern Farm Show to be held at N.C. State Fairgrounds Jan. 31-Feb. 2
The largest agricultural exposition in the Carolinas and Virginia is coming to the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh Jan. 31-Feb. 2. The Southern Farm Show is a favorite of farmers and agribusiness owners because agricultural and related industry companies are the only exhibitors allowed to participate. Don't miss the agribusiness breakfast meeting on Jan. 31, where the associate director for renewable technologies at N.C. State University, Dr. Alex Hobbs, will be the guest speaker. Other events during the show include the Future Farmers of America Tractor & Truck Driving Competition and the 24th Annual Southern National Draft Horse Pull. For more information and to see the list of exhibitors, click here.

2007 Emerging Issues Forum to focus on North Carolina's higher education system
The Institute for Emerging Issues will host its 2007 Emerging Issues Forum Feb. 1-2 at the McKimmon Center at N.C. State University. The theme of this year's forum is "Transforming Higher Education: A Competitive Advantage for North Carolina.  The forum will take a look at how the state's institutions of higher education have become increasingly significant in the effort to secure a competitive advantage in today's global economy. Forum speakers, including former Gov. Jim Hunt, UNC President Erskine Bowles and prominent state and national education leaders, will shape the dialogue on how we use our higher-education systems to respond to the changing needs of business and communities. The forum will also identify innovations that will help make those transformations possible. To view the forum agenda or to find out how to register, click here.

First annual Southeast Venture Conference to be held Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Research Triangle Park
The first-ever Southeast Venture Conference will be held Jan. 31-Feb.1 at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Research Triangle Park. The conference will be an opportunity for technology firms, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to network. The event will feature investor/executive panels and keynote speeches from Jim Goodnight, founder and CEO of SAS Institute, and Ryan Wuerch, CEO of Motricity. The fee to register is $470 if completed prior to the event, $560 the day of. To find out more about the conference or to register, click here.

Learn how to become an entrepreneurship facilitator, Feb. 26-March 2
NC REAL Enterprises will hold a week-long training in Chapel Hill for teachers and other educators that will prepare them to become entrepreneurship facilitators. The training, which will be held at the William and Ida Friday Center on the UNC Campus, will give participants the opportunity to learn from experienced REAL facilitators, prepare lesson and course plans. Since the early 1980's, NC REAL has been working to make entrepreneurial training accessible to the communities and people who need it most. Initially designed to help rural high school students, NC REAL now serves people of all ages and communities of all sizes. Tuition is $1,000. Travel and lodging are not included. For more information, visit the website. For questions, contact Malinda Todd.

Brownfields conference to be held in Greensboro Feb. 15-16
The Rural Center is one of several partners who will host a brownfields conference in Greensboro Feb. 15-16. "North Carolina Brownfields: Community Development Opportunities  will detail the issues surrounding redevelopment of commercial and industrial sites that are or may become environmentally compromised. In rural areas, cleaning up and developing these sites can be the key to a community's overall revitalization efforts. The conference is being hosted in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EPA Region 4 office in Atlanta, the Rural Center, the N.C. Association of Regional Councils, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and NADO Research Foundation. The event will be held at the Greensboro Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel. Registration is $75 and includes meals. To register online or to find out more, click here.

Reports and Research

Policy brief makes the case for maintaining link between biofuels and rural development
In its recent policy brief on biofuels development and the implications for rural communities, the Carsey Institute cautions rural America and policy makers alike to think strategically with long-term goals in mind. In the rush to grow the promising sector, the benefits to rural communities may be muted or lost altogether if policies that determine the sector's ownership, scale and structure are not consistent with rural development priorities, according to the New Hampshire-based institute. The brief also cautions against the industry's almost total reliance on corn and soybeans to meet its ever-growing demand. The limitations of those feedstocks to meet our fuel supply are clear, according to the brief, which contends that even if the U.S. had turned its entire 2005 harvested corn crop into ethanol, it would equal less than 15 percent of the nation's current annual fuel use for vehicles. What makes better sense in the long-term, the institute said, is for the biofuels industry to incorporate the use of biomass, or organic material made from plants and animals. In the past biomass was too difficult and costly to convert into liquid fuel, but recent improvements are eliminating that concern, according to report writers. To read the full brief, click here.

New report offers states advice for creating a strong 21st Century workforce
A new report by the Workforce Strategy Center lays out a three-step plan for building a stronger workforce that is able to adapt to the changing needs of the 21st Century and compete on a national and global scale. The report, "Working Together: Aligning State Systems and Policies for Individual and Regional Prosperity,  details the three steps it says states must take to produce and retain these "knowledge  workers. According to the report, knowledge workers are those with postsecondary credentials, technical aptitudes and the ability to learn rapidly, while taking an entrepreneurial approach to employment. In order to produce these workers, states must: increase access to college and the likelihood that students will graduate from college; weave together education and workforce development strategies, economic development and the needs of employers; and build the capacity of providers and colleges and universities to make these changes. To view the full report, click here.

New report looks at the factors that influence water and sewer rates
A new report by the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the School of Government's Environmental Finance Center takes a look at the factors that influence water and sewer rate-setting. The report, "How Much Does Clean Water Cost? 2006: The Story Behind the Revenue,  is based on analysis of data from several interrelated surveys and information sources. The report also includes tables detailing estimated water and sewer billing totals for 333 utilities. The cost of the publication is $45 and can be ordered online. To learn more or to buy the report, click here.

top of page

At the Rural Center

Rural Center gears up for 19th annual Rural Economic Development Institute
The center's Rural Economic Development Institute will soon begin accepting applications for its 2007 leadership program. The institute is a valuable resource for helping rural leaders grow their leadership skills in order to meet the economic development challenges in their communities. The next institute, which consists of nine days of classes over a three-month period, will be held March 28-30, April 18-20 and commence May 9-11. A limited number of scholarships will be available. Check the center's website in the coming days and weeks, www.ncruralcenter.org, for information on how to apply, tuition and other details as they become available. For information about the Rural Economic Development Institute, contact Carol Torian at the Rural Center, (919) 250-4314.

top of page

From the N.C. Press

The Daily Advance (Elizabeth City): Deaths of lawmakers Holloman, Hunter, leave void in eastern North Carolina
Twelve Democrats have asked to be considered to fill the vacant seats of Rep. Howard Hunter and Sen. Robert Holloman, both of whom represented northeastern North Carolina counties and died of natural causes last week. Holloman, a Baptist minister and funeral home director, died early Monday at age 53 after a short illness, according to his office. A day before, House leaders announced the death of Hunter, 60, who had been in and out of the hospital over the past several years with lung problems and carried an oxygen tank wherever he went. Both lawmakers represented Perquimans County. Holloman also represented Chowan County. The coincidence of their near simultaneous deaths means that the roughly 67,000 people who live in Bertie, Gates, Hertford and Perquimans counties have no elected representatives in Raleigh. Gov. Mike Easley will appoint replacements to two-year terms based on the recommendations of Democrats in those counties. Among those declaring their interest in Hunter's 5th District House seat are Hunter's son, Howard Hunter III, a Hertford County commissioner; Winfall Mayor Fred Yates; Windsor Town Councilman Hoyt Cooper; John Lane; and Annie Mobley. Those declaring interest in Holloman's vacant seat are Hertford County Commissioner DuPont Davis; former Bertie County Commissioner Patricia Ferguson; Rep. Ed Jones, D-Halifax; Kenneth Pitts; Gene Reaves; and Willie Riddick. One would-be candidate, Alvin Basnight, a state Department of Transportation employee, has expressed interest in both seats, said Snow Hill Mayor Don Davis, chairman of the 1st Congressional District Democratic Party, which is tasked with managing the succession process.

N.C. Associated Press: Six rural counties chosen for 21st Century Communities program
Gov. Mike Easley announced the selection of six counties to participate in a statewide economic growth program designed to help offset the loss of manufacturing jobs. The 21st Century Communities program, led by the N.C. Department of Commerce, is structured to foster economic growth in communities hit hard by manufacturing losses, especially in the textile and apparel industries. "As North Carolina's business climate continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the 21st century, we will continue to look for new and innovative ways to ensure that all of our communities have the tools they need to keep up with those changes," Easley said in a statement. Rockingham, Anson, Beaufort, Caldwell, Edgecombe, Graham and Harnett counties join 20 other counties that received the designation since the program started in September 2001. Criteria for participation include relative economic distress, such as rising unemployment and a reliance on at-risk traditional manufacturing, and a commitment from community leaders.

Copyright by N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, Inc. 2002. We encourage you to share this UPDATE with interested individuals, organizations, or agencies. Material may be reproduced in electronic or print form. We ask that you please cite the Rural Center as the source.

Your subscription to this electronic newsletter is for Rural Center use only. We will not distribute or share your email identification with others. To be removed from this mailing list, please send an email to ruralpartners@ncruralcenter.org with unsubscribe in the subject line.

The mission of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.

N.C. Rural Economic Development Center
Michelle Taylor, UPDATE editor
Courtney Tieman, UPDATE production manager
Elaine Matthews, senior vice president
4021 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 250-4314 Fax: (919) 250-4325
www.ncruralcenter.org