News

Golden LEAF unveils $85.4 million economic stimulus package to boost bioscience industry, strives to create 25,000 new jobs by 2007
Board members and executives of the Golden LEAF Foundation held a press conference in Raleigh August 21 to announce a funding package they say will bring $350 million in new investments to North Carolina and propel the state's bioscience industry to new heights. Of the $85.4 million total investment approved by the board of directors, the foundation will invest $42 million in biotech companies manufacturing their products here, with a special interest in companies building new plants. According to the foundation, if the initial projects are successful another $108 million will be raised through other investors for a total biotech commitment of $150 million. The Golden LEAF, or Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation, was created in 1999 as an investment vehicle for $2.3 billion of the state's share of the national tobacco settlement. To read more about the foundation and its economic stimulus plan for North Carolina, visit the website at www.goldenLEAF.org.

Golden LEAF's $10 million biodiesel investment could make North Carolina a market leader in alternative fuels
As part of an overall economic stimulus package aimed primarily at the burgeoning bioscience industry, the Golden LEAF voted to invest $10 million in a proposed Selma biodiesel plant that, if successful, would make North Carolina one of only eight states in the alternative fuels business. The $45 million facility would also significantly buoy the state's soybean crop, using about 9 million bushels of soybeans in the annual production of 10 to 12 million gallons of diesel fuel. Research has shown soybean oil to be a natural alternative to environmentally harmful sulfer in diesel fuel production. The proposed Selma site - chosen for its proximity to the eastern soybean crop - would likely employ 75 to 100 employees within three years and be operational by late 2004. To read more about alternative diesel fuel production, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center at www.afdc.doe.gov/altfuel/bio_general.html.

Unemployment benefits exhausted for more than 35,000 out-of-work North Carolinians
According to new figures from the N.C. Employment Security Commission about 13 percent, or 35,000, of the state's unemployed workers have exhausted both their traditional and extended unemployment benefits. The N.C. House last week passed legislation to ease the plight of laid-off workers by extending partial unemployment benefits for 12 additional weeks so long as the state's unemployment rate stayed above 6.5 percent. House Bill 1040 awaits a Senate Finance Committee hearing. So far the state's rural unemployment rate shows no immediate signs of falling; 7.6 percent of rural North Carolinians were without jobs in July, up slightly from 7.5 percent in June. The state's unemployment rate as a whole for July was 6.8 percent. To get a detailed listing of the state's current unemployment numbers, visit the commission's website at www.nces.com.

Rural Internet Access Authority's e-NC initiative announces $5.8 million in connectivity incentive grants
The legislative mandate to bring high-speed Internet access to rural North Carolina by December 2003 got a big boost with the announcement of 10 grants totaling $5,792,700. The funds are from private sources and will support projects increasing both the supply and demand of high-speed Internet services in rural counties. Grants ranged from $1,600 for an Internet journalism class to $2.9 million to build an underground fiber-optic network capable of supporting high-speed access in 39 eastern counties. The Rural Internet Access Authority was created by the N.C. General Assembly in 2000, and is supported by $30 million in private funding from MCNC, formerly Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, and through donations from 52 statewide organizations. For more details on the connectivity incentive grants, go to e-NC's website at www.e-nc.org.

AdvantageWest moves to capitalize on mountain beauty, seeks national heritage designation for Blue Ridge Mountain region
Western North Carolinians, already proud of their mountain heritage, might soon be able to tout the Blue Ridge Mountain region as a designated national heritage. The designation is being sought by U.S. Reps. Charles Taylor, Cass Ballenger and Richard Burr, whose districts encompass all 22 western North Carolina counties. House Resolution 5168, or the Blue Ridge Heritage Area Act of 2002, was conceived by western economic development partnership AdvantageWest. Officials hope to use the designation to enhance the existing tourism industry as well as emerging industries like biotechnology and multimedia. AdvantageWest is working with a long list of strategic partners in the effort, including Handmade in America, privately operated tourist attractions, and two national parks. For more information visit the AdvantageWest website at www.awnc.org.

Rural Center gears up for 2002 Rural Partners Forum, focus on converging rural and urban issues
The Rural Center will host its annual meeting of state and local leadership in Raleigh on October 30-31. The theme for this year's forum is the Rural-Urban Connection: Shared Prosperity in the 21st Century. The highlight of the forum will be the launch of the center's Capital Access Program II, made possible by recent grants from the Golden LEAF Foundation of $3.4 million and from the Appalachian Regional Commission of $600,000. For details on the forum visit the center's website at www.ncruralcenter.org or contact the Rural Center at (919)250-4314 or email to ktucker@ncruralcenter.org.

Reports and Research

The State of the South 2002: Shadows in the Sunbelt Revisited
Chapel-Hill based MDC, Inc., a non-profit research group, has released a follow-up report to its 1986 ground-breaking report "Shadows in the Sunbelt," which detailed Southern growth, economic trends and regional disparities. In MDC's new report, "Shadows in the Sunbelt Revisited," the organization convened a panel of distinguished Southerners to develop a set of recommendations aimed at broadening economic development strategies for rural and urban regions in the South. For more details about the report or to get a copy, visit MDC's website at http://www.mdcinc.org.

Center for Study of Rural America publishes conference findings and new economic research data
In the new report titled "The New Power of Regions: A Policy Focus for Rural America," the Center for the Study of Rural America published findings based on the organization's third annual conference. Participants discussed rural policy and aspects of rural America's new frontier, including the emerging biotech pharmaceutical industry, advanced manufacturing, and e-commerce. To read the center's report, go to their website at http://www.kc.frb.org/publicat/econrev/er02q2.htm#regions.

Rural communities group offers free guide for high-tech rural development
The National Center for Small Communities has published a high-tech economic development strategy guide for distressed rural communities. The guide suggests ways to utilize computers, the Internet, and advanced telecommunications for economic development. Topics include acquiring advanced telecommunications services, promoting public access to computers and the Internet, engaging youth, utilizing schools, increasing local business productivity, and enhancing local labor skills. The guidebooks are free, but must be ordered in bulk quantities of 54 books for use at conferences, training seminars and meetings, or for special mailings to organization members. For more information, contact Robert Neidlinger at rneidlinger@sso.org or call 202-624-3555.

Report finds that smart growth strategies not just for large towns
Today's small towns are the big towns of tomorrow, and according to a new report from the Northeast/Midwest Institute small towns need to put smart growth tools in place to ensure sound economic development and high quality of life. The report, "Smart Growth at the Frontier," highlights promising growth strategies for rural communities, including North Carolina's HandMade in America program that focuses on small town revitalization. To read the report go the institute's website at www.nemw.org/RuralSmartGrowth.pdf.

top of page

Funding Sources

Minority entrepreneurs find new opportunity for development with national agency
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the Emerging Venture Network have launched a program to increase capital access by minority entrepreneurs. The MBDA Equity Capital Access is one of the first programs to offer minority entrepreneurs equity capital training on a national level. The program's first major project will be a business plan competition organized through the five MBDA regional offices. For more information, visit the agency's website at www.mbda.gov.

W. K. Kellogg Foundation says it will target North Carolina in a new approach to philanthropy
North Carolina is one of three areas being selected by philanthropy giant W.K. Kellogg in a pilot effort aimed at tapping into existing philanthropy resources and linking like-minded groups struggling to secure funding. Kellogg annually contributes about $15 million a year to support philanthropy and volunteerism, and has written extensively about the need to target resources in order to maximize impact. Recent Kellogg grant projects have been aimed at local groups working in teams, and the organization now wants to do that on an even larger scale in North Carolina, the Silicon Valley and New York City. Kellogg executives also hope to boost support to minorities and women's groups in the future. There is no word yet on what, if any, specific North Carolina programs have been targeted for funding. To find out more about the foundation, visit the website at www.wkkf.org.

Meetings and Events

Voices with Values: Nonprofits Lead the Way
The N.C. Center for Nonprofits' statewide conference takes place September 19-20 at the Sheraton Imperial in RTP. This year's conference features a presentation from Terry Axelrod, founder of Raising More Money®, on September 19. Gov. Mike Easley is scheduled to speak on September 20. Participants will also have the chance to speak with foundation, business and government leaders as well as attend individual sessions with experienced consultants. To register online, click here www.ncnonprofits.org.

NCEDA 2002 Fall Conference
The North Carolina Economic Developers Association will host its fall conference September 11-12, 2002, at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro. The meeting will include updates from the N.C. Department of Commerce and the N.C. Economic Development Board and include sessions on small business development strategies, agribusiness and the wine industry. The fee for members is $155, $290 for non-members. To register call 1-888-246-2332.

National Association of Development Organizations Annual Conference
The National Association of Development Organizations will hold its annual conference September 28, 2002, at the Reno Hilton in Reno, Nevada. Participants can choose from four tracks: innovating infrastructure; building wealth in rural communities; enhancing regional organizations; or perfecting communication skills. For more information, go to www.nado.org.

Housing Forum 2002
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency will host a statewide conference on affordable housing October 15, 2002, at the Sheraton Imperial in RTP. The event provides hands-on information and offers opportunities to meet industry leaders and to network with housing professionals from across the state. Morning and afternoon workshops give participants the chance to learn more about tax credits, the agency's community-based home ownership programs, housing special populations, the 2003 Qualified Allocation Plan, technical assistance for non-profits or join in a roundtable discussion with lenders, builders, non-profits and local government officials. The day-long conference is $90 including meals. For questions or to register call LaWanda Hall-Davis at 919-877-5608 or e-mail lhdavis@nchfa.com .

N.C. League of Municipalities Annual Conference
The North Carolina League of Municipalities will hold it's annual conference October 20-21, 2002, at the Durham Marriott. David Gergen, political advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, will present the keynote address October 20. For more information or to register, visit the league's website at www.nclm.org, or contact them at (919) 715-4000.

Appalachian Regional Commission sponsors conference on developing sound education policies on the local level
The Appalachian Regional Commission is sponsoring a conference October 29-30 in Maryville, Tennessee, to focus on the role of education in developing strong local economies, and how, in turn, sound local economies support educational growth within a community. The conference will feature a town meeting hosted by Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, ARC States' co-chairman, and Jesse L. White, Jr., ARC Federal co-chairman. To download a program agenda and registration forms, visit the commission's website at www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=1171.

Rural education issues focus of national conference education
The Southern Rural Development Center, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service and the Rural School and Community Trust, will hold a three-day national research conference on rural education issues February 12-14, 2003, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the downtown Sheraton. For more information on the conference and for background information on rural education, visit the Southern Rural Development Center's website srdc.msstate.edu/ruraled/index.html.

National Workforce Development Conference March 2-3, 2003
The Southern Rural Development Center is the lead host for a national workforce development conference entitled, "Strengthening and Building Partnerships for Workforce Development," to be held March 2-5, 2003, in Orlando, Florida. Conference organizers are currently accepting conference presentations. Cost is $200 per person if registering prior to Feb. 10; $250 after that date. Conference participants will have an opportunity to apply for mini-grants of $5,000 to further the workforce training and development models utilized at the conference. For more information, visit the website at srdc.msstate.edu/workforce/index.html.

top of page

From the N.C. Press

Rural schools struggle to meet state education standards
"The State Board of Education commissioned a team of experts Thursday to fix the failings of Hoke County's school system. Until now, state assistance teams have targeted single struggling schools, never an entire district. Hoke schools took a lead role among five poor, rural districts that sued the state for more school money. Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. ruled in April that the state must provide an equal opportunity for a sound and basic education to all children, particularly low-income students most likely to fail in the state's 117 school systems. Last week Manning chastised state leaders for inaction. He ordered them to provide "leadership and guidance" for Hoke schools and their 6,000 students, to improve their performance without spending more money. He noted that the state's lawyers argue that local schools get enough money but do not make the best use of it. State schools Superintendent Mike Ward said a team will go to Hoke within a few weeks to work with administrators there." -- From the News and Observer

Robeson County’s poverty rate nearly double the state average, census finds
"Robeson County had the fourth highest poverty rate in North Carolina in 2000, according to the U.S. Census. With a poverty rate of 22.8 percent, Robeson's rate was almost double the state average of 12.3 percent. The county trailed only Halifax County, which led the state with a 23.9 rate, Bertie County at 23.5 percent and Tyrrell County at 23.3 percent. Although the county's poverty rate was lower in 2000 than it was in 1990 - when the rate was 23.6 percent - the number of individuals living in poverty increased by 25,587. During that span, the county's population grew by 18,160." -- From the Robesonian

Editorial supports creation of study commission on maturing industries
"Gov. Mike Easley and the legislative leadership should heed at least part of the advice offered last week by the N.C. Justice and Community Development Center. That nonprofit advocacy group for the poor recommended that the leaders create a special commission to look at the state's maturing industries. The center is most concerned about what it calls "dislocated workers." These are mostly employees of the furniture, tobacco and textiles industries who held well-paying but relatively low-skill jobs. Those jobs have been disappearing from the North Carolina economy, and they won't come back when the current recession ends. More than at any time in the past 30 years, North Carolina's economy is at a crossroads. The loss of so many good jobs means that a new strategy is needed. A first-rate study commission would do enormous good by telling state leaders the specifics of how to evolve from a mature economy of today to a robust and growing economy of tomorrow." -- From the Winston-Salem Journal

Ashe County town thriving in midst of rural economic crisis
"Five years ago, vacant storefronts nearly outnumbered people in downtown West Jefferson. But thanks to an unlikely combination of retailing giant Wal-Mart, a thriving arts community and city officials with the foresight to invest in decaying infrastructure, this Ashe County town is alive and sneering at the "Lost Provinces" moniker once applied to communities near North Carolina's borders with Tennessee and Virginia. "We are definitely in better shape than we were five years ago," said Greg Edney, the town manager. "If you want to see how vibrant West Jefferson is now, just come on Friday and try to find a parking space. -- From the Winston-Salem Journal

Richmond Economic Partnership (REP) disbands, new development group forming with broad mission
"Less than three weeks after the privately-run Richmond Economic Partnership voted to disband, county, city and Chamber of Commerce officials discussed the new face of economic development for Richmond County. 'I think we'll get a lot of participation,' Commission Chairman Kenneth Robinette said. 'This will be one of the most important boards in the county, it will not be a do-nothing board.' Possibly the most dramatic change is the very purpose of economic development. While REP voted on industrial recruitment and expansion, county-run development will be more broad, officials say. -- From the Richmond County Daily Journal

top of page

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
4021 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 250-4314 Fax: (919) 250-4325
www.ncruralcenter.org