News

U.S. House subcommittee passes Southeast Crescent Authority bill
North Carolina Congressman Mike McIntyre’s five-year, $200 million plan to stimulate economic development and combat poverty in the Southeast has passed its first major hurdle – a unanimous nod from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development. The legislation would create the Southeast Crescent Authority, a partnership among local, state and federal entities to focus exclusively on accessing funding for programs and initiatives in 429 counties in seven Southern states. To qualify for funding, projects must address a critical issue in one of the following areas: infrastructure, education and job training, leadership development, entrepreneurship or health care. McIntyre introduced the legislation on the heels of an East Carolina University study that called for a federal initiative similar to the Appalachian Regional Commission to serve distressed, rural areas of the Southeast. To view the ECU report, along with a map of eligible counties, click here http://www.ecu.edu/rds/SECA%20final%20report%20CD%20021402.pdf

Edwards unveils $1 billion effort to revitalize rural America
A package of incentives proposed by U.S. Senator John Edwards would target distressed rural communities across the nation with a combination of business development strategies, tax breaks and greater funding for rural schools and healthcare systems. A key component of Edwards’ plan is the creation of a federal source of capital specifically for new and expanding rural businesses. The five-year, $1 billion effort also calls for boosting investment in rural communities by bringing together investors and management experts in urban areas with rural entrepreneurs, as well as the establishment of rural revitalization zones in areas deeply affected by federal trade policies. Edwards also wants to create a new federal initiative, drawn from the work of the Rural Center’s Rural Internet Access Authority, to boost accessible, affordable high-speed Internet technology in rural America within four years. To find out more, visit the senator’s website at edwards.senate.gov/.

Rural unemployment still high, but showing signs of improvement
The latest unemployment figures from the N.C. Employment Security Commission show the state still reeling from high-tech and manufacturing layoffs nearly three years into a national recession that has been particularly hard on North Carolina. The state, which had the 12th lowest unemployment rate in the country just three years ago, rose to the fifth highest in 2002. In rural counties, the economic picture is likely to remain bleak throughout 2003 as companies continue to decrease their payrolls, especially in the manufacturing sector. While an economic rebound may still be several months or more away, there are early signs that the worst of the recession could be over for rural counties where unemployment rates are down slightly from one year ago. The rural unemployment rate for April 2003 was 6.9 percent, down nearly a point from the January 2002 rate of 7.8 percent. For more information on rural unemployment, check the center’s new quarterly economic fact sheet, the N.C. Rural Economy, by visiting the center’s website at www.ncruralcenter.org/pubs/NCRfactsheet.htm.

U.S. House approves funding for assessment of wastewater security
Amid growing concerns over the vulnerability of the nation’s water supply to a terrorist attack, the U.S. House of Representatives last month passed legislation to provide $200 million in federal grants to publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities. The grants would be used both to assess risk and to find ways to improve security. A separate $15 million funding stream would be set aside to provide treatment plants in small communities with the technical assistance they need to comply with new federal mandates. The Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act passed the House on a 413-2 vote, and is now awaiting a hearing in a Senate committee. The Environmental Protection Agency would fund and administer the grants program, which includes a provision allowing the federal department to review alternative water treatment processes in the event of a terrorist attack.

Four rural communities chosen by Easley for community development program
Gov. Mike Easley has chosen four rural communities to participate in the N.C. Main Street Program, a state initiative to rebuild and rejuvenate aging downtowns in order to attract new business investments that will lead to job creation. Eden, Edenton, Forest City and Marion will join 46 previously designated communities in the initiative. According to statistics from the governor’s office, the 23-year-old program has resulted in more than 2,400 building renovations and new businesses, and led to the creation of more than 10,000 jobs. The program is part of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance. To be chosen for participation in the initiative, a community must have fewer than 50,000 residents. The program generally accepts applications every two years. To find out more, contact the Division of Community Assistance at http://www.dca.commerce.state.nc.us/mainst/

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Reports and Research

New reports show N.C. students lead the nation in math, reading achievement gains, especially among Latinos
North Carolina students are making big gains in math and reading achievement, according to a recent report on American education standards and a national reading achievement test. Education Watch, a 50-state report from The Education Trust, found North Carolina students in grades 4-8 scoring higher on achievement tests in reading and math than in past years, especially among Latino students. According to data analyzed by The Education Trust, North Carolina students lead the nation in progress in 4th and 8th grade math during the 1990s. Further, the report found that African-American and Latino 4th grade students making gains at a faster pace than their peers in other states. To view the Education Watch report, click here www2.edtrust.org/edtrust. North Carolina 4th and 8th grade students are also outperforming a majority of their peers on a national reading test used to compare student performance across the country, according to scores released this week from the National Association for Education Statistics (NAES). To compare North Carolina students' reading proficiency with that of students in other states, visit the NAES website at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/reading/results2002/stateresults.asp

Southern Growth Policies Board releases leadership model for South in new report
The Southern Growth Policies Board released its latest report, Reinventing the Wheel, at the board’s Southern Leadership Summit earlier this month. The board calls the report a “new model of leadership to strengthen the South’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities – from globalization and new economic forces to large-scale demographic changes.” The report focuses on the importance of building civic infrastructure through strong local leadership for economic and community development efforts to take hold. Recommendations for community action in building local leadership among young people, minorities and immigrants are also presented in the report. Printed copies are available for $10 by contacting the Southern Growth Policies Board at ngos@southern.org ngos@southern.org. To view the report’s introduction, visit the website at http://www.southern.org/pubs/rtw/RTW.pdf

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Meetings and Events

Community economic development conference held in Washington, D.C. July 15-16
“Building Trust, Building Partnership, Building Communities,” is the theme of an upcoming conference co-sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Corporate Citizenship, the Council on Foundations and the Independent Sector. The July 15-16 conference, which will take place in Washington, D.C., will focus on partnerships among the public, private, and non-profit sectors to promote community economic development. Donald Evans, the Secretary of the U.S. Departments of Commerce is scheduled to give a keynote address. For more information, including a conference agenda and registration form, see http://www.uschamber.com/ViewEvent.asp?eventID=123

National Center for Small Communities to hold annual conference Sept. 3-5
The National Center for Small Communities (NCSC) is holding its annual conference Sept. 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The center is a national nonprofit that provides support and research to small communities in rural and urban America. This year's conference will feature a $5,000 grant for the winner of NCSC's Grassroots Rural Entrepreneurship Award. The award recognizes and promotes achievements in entrepreneurial development. The grant will be used to further the winning community's entrepreneurial development efforts. The top two finalists will also receive up to $1,000 in travel expenses for the conference. Award applications must be received by June 30. For more information, visit the website at www.natat.org/ncsc/Kauffman/entrepdefault.htm.

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At the Rural Center

Center’s leadership institute honored for innovation by Southern Growth Policies Board
The The Rural Center’s Rural Economic Development Institute was recognized earlier this month by the Southern Growth Policies Board for its innovative approach to building leadership capacity in rural North Carolina. Gov. Mike Easley recommended the institute for recognition at the board’s Southern leadership summit held in Biloxi, Mississippi, June 1-3. The institute builds leadership capacity in rural communities through intensive training of local leaders in three core areas: economic development, strategic thinking and planning, and collaborative leadership. The institute was one of 25 leadership programs in the South recognized as innovative during the conference, and shared the accolade with fellow North Carolina honoree the N.C. Civic Education Consortium, a partnership of state organizations committed to engaging civic activity among children aged 5-18. To find out more about the board’s leadership summit, visit the website at http://www.southern.org/

Center to release quarterly Economic Fact Sheet
The Rural Center has released the first issue of a quarterly publication on the North Carolina rural economy, providing relevant, up-to-date information on rural jobs, unemployment, industry trends and economic outlook. In addition to the latest in rural employment statistics, each two-page fact sheet will offer a deeper perspective on a particular industry or issue with a special focus section. The North Carolina Rural Economy fact sheet will be released at the beginning of each quarter and will be available in pdf form on the center’s website, http://www.ncruralcenter.org/pubs/NCRfactsheet.htm

NC TechForce students receive grants for college aid
NC TechForce is a community-based program of the Rural Internet Access Authority’s e-NC initiative, utilizing volunteer technology-trained students from area high schools, community colleges and universities to provide Internet assistance in their communities. Students receive scholarship points for the amount of time they volunteer, leadership skills, teamwork and academic achievement. The authority is set to award $18,300 this summer in scholarship aid to 29 NC TechForce students in 12 counties. They are listed below, in order of their home county, including scholarship amount: Alleghany – Brandy Shaw, $400; Christy Parsons, $450; Cory Higgins, $400; Jackie Billings, $575; Jennifer Nemyier, $200; Joe Honeycutt, $850; Karen Yarbrough, $475; Kenneth Edwards, $1,000; Meghan Oliver, $500. Anson – W. Michael Privette, $1,000; Ashe – Clarissa Mattox, $1,000; Jason Hartsoe, $300; Jonathan Church, $900; Karissa Stanley, $300; Michael Miller, $850; Bertie – Bryan Ruffin, $600; Joshua Ferguson, $750. Beaufort – Scott Clark, $1,000; Cleveland – George Garrett Neisler, $475; Rachel Lynne Hughes, $725. Martin – Allen Lee, $550; Meredith Daniel, $525. Pamlico – James Tyndall, $1,000; Matthew Buck, $1,000. Perquimans – April Castelow, $600. Perquimans – Crystal Lynette Lee, $475; Wake – Johnaton Bersuder, $750. Yadkin – Enya Mosteller, $650. For more information on the TechForce program, visit the authority’s website at http://www.e-nc.org/community/nctechforce.shtml

E-business workshops help companies build sales, operations through the Internet
More than 400 North Carolina small businesses have learned how to boost their productivity, sales and marketing efforts by utilizing Internet technology at a series of 17 e-business workshops held across the state throughout 2002 and early 2003. The workshops were sponsored by the Rural Internet Access Authority’s e-NC initiative. Participants received training in how to use available online resources in order to grow their businesses, as well as how to establish their company on the Internet. The workshops were held in Buncombe, Cherokee, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Forsyth, Halifax, Johnston, Martin, McDowell, Mitchell, Onslow, Pasquotank, Person, Pitt, Randolph and Wilkes counties. To access information from the e-business workshops, information is available on the e-NC website at www.e-nc.org/publications/manuals.shtml.

Funding Sources

Tobacco Trust Fund accepting grant proposals
The Tobacco Trust Fund Commission will award up to $4 million in grants during its 2003 funding cycle and is seeking proposals affecting the long-term health of the state’s tobacco-related agricultural economy. Grants will be awarded in four areas - agri-economic development, diversification initiatives, workforce development and conservation of natural resources - with priority given to projects based on size of area and number of people affected. The maximum grant amount for any one project is $350,000. The General Assembly created the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in 2000 to ease the financial burden to farmers and others in tobacco-related businesses caused by the 1998 national tobacco settlement. For more information and to download an application, visit the commission’s website at http://www.tobaccotrustfund.org/ The application deadline is August 1, with award announcements due October 1.

Rural schools grants program prepares to accept funding proposals
The federal Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, will soon start taking applications for grants through its Rural and Small Schools Achievement and Rural and Low-Income Programs. Flexible grants are available to rural districts that qualify. Information about REAP and the application process is available at www.aasa.org. Click on "Government Relations" on the left side bar, then "Rural Issues." Information is also available at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/reap.html.

Rural libraries grants program accepting applications for 2003 grants cycle
The Libri Foundation is a national non-profit organization that helps rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children's books through its Books for Children Program. The foundation was established in 1998, and since 2000 has donated more than $2 million in books to 1,600 libraries in 48 states. The foundation, which is currently accepting grant applications through July 15, works with local community sponsors who will donate from $50 to $350, which will be matched 2:1 by the foundation up to $1,050. In order to qualify, a library should serve fewer than 10,000 people – ideally fewer than 5,000 – and be located in a small, rural community. To check eligibility or to receive an application, visit the Libri Foundation’s website at www.librifoundation.org/.

From the N.C. Press

Daily Record (Dunn): Economic developers seek biotech
“With the loss of more than 3500 jobs in the textile and other industries along with a decline in the number of farmers over the last several years, new industries need to be attracted to Harnett County. Economic development leaders are focusing, but not limiting, their recruiting efforts on biotechnology industries. ‘Biotech takes on many forms,’ said Harnett County Economic Development Commission Director Jerry Hartgrove. ‘There is the research part, there is the manufacturing process; it offers a lot of opportunity.’ Consumers are already enjoying biotechnology foods such as papayas, soybeans, and corn. Hundreds of biopesticides and other agricultural products are also being used to improve the food supply and to reduce dependence on conventional chemical pesticides.”

Bertie Ledger-Advance: Officials look ahead to Bertie’s economic future
“The Bertie County Economic Report takes a look at the variety of factors impacting the economic picture of the county now and in the next five years or so. Officials paint a picture of hope, citing new economic initiatives with the N.C. Northeast Partnership, the U.S. 17 Bypass that is proposed for the area, and the locating of a prison in the county as factors that will have positive impact on Bertie’s future. ‘I believe we will see major industrial development through the team efforts of the county economic development committee, North Carolina’s Northeast Partnership, and state Department of Commerce programs,’ said Windsor Mayor Bob Spivey.”

The Enterprise (Williamston): City to look a lot like Rocky Mount in a decade, developers say
“Williamston will be another Rocky Mount in 10 years, a county economic development official told the Committee of 100 here last Wednesday. Jim Ward, EDC Director, told the group that the area has a great highway network with U.S. 64 and Highway 17/13, ‘Martin County is truly on the move,’ he said. Ward said the county will soon see the opening of a new Fairfield Inn, a new East Carolina bank, a Bojangles and a seafood restaurant. A new Hampton Inn, McDonalds restaurant and Dollar Tree store have recently opened in Robersonville.”

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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.

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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
Kelly Tucker Griffin, UPDATE production manager
Elaine Matthews, vice president for communications and development
4021 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 250-4314 Fax: (919) 250-4325
http://www.ncruralcenter.org/