For immediate release (11/18/11)

Media contact: Garnet Bass, director of communications, 919-250-4314

RALEIGH, N.C. --  A new initiative designed to engage rural youth and young adults in the life of their communities will launch in January, marking the beginnings of a multimillion dollar effort that will touch thousands of young people across the state.

For release: 2 p.m. Friday, September 30

Media contact: Garnet Bass, director of communications, 919-250-4314

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center and five partnering agencies today announced the availability of $6.5 million to support health care facilities and job creation in rural North Carolina. The six nonprofit and governmental partners are making grants and loans available under an initiative called Rural Hope.

For immediate release (9/2/2011)

Media contact: Garnet Bass, director of communications, 919-250-4314

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center has awarded 18 grants totaling $5.5 million to create new jobs, expand health services and provide clean water in rural counties. The grants will create 585 jobs and assist projects in 16 counties.

The grants were approved by the center’s board of directors Aug. 31 and made possible by appropriations of the N.C. General Assembly.

Farmers who could lose production contracts with Townsend are eligible for free financial counseling through a program launched by the Agricultural Advancement Consortium.

The consortium, a program of the Rural Center, has contracted with the nonprofit Vision Credit Education Inc. to provide financial counseling to the 171 farmers who raise chickens for Townsend. The poultry company’s parent, Omtron Ltd., has announced plans to shut down processing plants in Mocksville and Siler City by October.