Available Titles by Topic

Most publications may be downloaded in PDF version for personal use for free. To order print copies, please submit an order form with your check. For questions, contact the Office of Communications at 919-250-4314.

 Agriculture

North Carolina’s Equine Industry: Findings and Recommendations

(2009)

This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of a study authorized by the N.C. General Assembly to determine the equine industry's economic impact and to identify opportunities for growth. Among the findings: the industry contributes nearly $2 billion to the state’s economy annually. 18 pages. Out of print. Download PDF.

North Carolina Agriculture: Regional Perspectives (2009)

The report examines farming in each of North Carolina's seven economic development regions. It provides basic facts about agriculture in each region, opinions about the state of farming from farmers and extension agents, and recommendations for strengthening agriculture in each region. 22 pages. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.

The Impact of Economic and Political Developments on North Carolina’s Tobacco Farm Workers (2008)

This report examines the repercussions of the 1998 tobacco settlement and end of the quota system on livelihoods of tobacco farm workers. It examines the issues against the recent history of tobacco farm workers; explores who makes up the tobacco farm work force; identifies further challenges and opportunities facing North Carolina farm workers; and suggests areas for public policy consideration. 122 pages. Download PDF, free.

Fertile Ground: North Carolina leaders speak out on the future of agriculture (2006)

Twenty farm leaders from throughout the state discuss their own history in agriculture, the current agricultural climate and future prospects for the industry. 90 pages. Download PDF, free.

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Business and Entrepreneurship

Waste Not, Want Not, Profit More (2011)

This guidebook is designed to help small business owners begin to think about practical, low-cost steps to waste not, want not and profit more. Download PDF, free.

Fueling Your Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Financing for Small Businesses (updated 2011)

This guide explains:

• What you need to do before looking for money

• What kinds of financing exist

• How to obtain a loan

• What any lender/investor wants to see from you

• What those financing terms mean

This guide is designed to put you in the “driver’s seat” to create a plan that will help you find money to start or expand a business. Download PDF, free.

Creating Entrepreneurial Communities series

• Profiles of high-growth entrepreneurs in rural North Carolina (2007) Twenty high-growth rural entrepreneurs discuss their struggles and successes. 20 pages.
  Download PDF, free.

• Facts about high-growth entrepreneurs in rural North Carolina (2006) Based on a statewide survey, this report reveals some surprising conclusions about rural entrepreneurs. 12 pages. Download PDF, free.

• Lessons from 10 rural demonstrations in North Carolina (2006) In 2004 and 2005, the Rural Center and N.C. Department of Commerce collaborated on a project encouraging entrepreneurial development in 10 communities across the state. This report documents the results. 12 pages.
  Download PDF, free. 

Small Business 101: Why financial literacy is critical to small business success (2005)

After examining four years worth of loan applications, decisions and outcomes from the N.C. Microenterprise Loan Program, Rural Center staff concluded that a lack of financial literacy is a major stumbling block to securing a loan and to operating a successful business. This brief report also includes a survey of financial education programs available in North Carolina. 8 pages. Download PDF, free. 

Funding Sources

North Carolina Rural Resource Guide (2010)

The guide profiles nearly 200 agencies and organizations that offer financial and technical assistance to rural North Carolina communities. It contains detailed information on available grants and loans, information resources, and training and educational programs. Sources include federal and state agencies, nonprofits, foundations, businesses, colleges and universities, and local organizations. Print, $15. An online, searchable version of the guide is available here. 340 pages.

Funding Our Rural Future: Creating vibrant communities through homegrown philanthropy (2010)

This four-part report examines the potential for homegrown philanthropy to become a significant tool for community and economic development. It includes: 1) an overview rural philanthropy and community foundations, 2) an examination, county by county, of the likely intergenerational transfer of wealth in rural counties and prospects for capturing some of that wealth for community use, 3) profiles of successful rural philanthropy initiatives and 4) a directory of rural philanthropy resources. 53 pages. Print, $10. Download PDF, free 

Rural Economy

North Carolina Rural Profile (2013)

Overflowing with charts, graphs and statistics on the top economic and social trends affecting rural North Carolina, the Profile is a must for anyone seeking to improve rural life in our state. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.

  

Our Manufacturing Future: Toward a More Prosperous Rural Future (2013)

After decades of decline, manufacturing is showing signs of renewal. This report cites growing reasons for optimism about the future of manufacturing, calls for establishment of the North Carolina Manufacturing Council and provides new insights to guide the work of policy makers and economic developers. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.

 

New Life, New Purpose: Creating Economic Advantage through Building Reuse and Restoration (2012)

The Rural Center's Building Reuse and Restoration Grants Program helps rural communities maximize the economic potential of existing structures. Since the program was launched in 2004, it has assisted 310 building project through $52 million grants. These projects have leveraged $732 million in additional investments, put 390 businesses into project buildings and created more than 8,000 jobs. Includes 16 examples of successful projects, ranging from manufacturing expansions to health care and retail stores. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.

 

Living on the Margins series

Publications may be ordered individually ($10 each) or as a set ($25 for all three).

• Rural North Carolina in the Aftermath of the Great Recession (2011) This report highlights compelling data on the challenges for those living in poverty and near-poverty, including long-term trends and the effects of the recession. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.  

• Asset-Building Strategies for Low-Income Families (2011) More than 30 projects with potential for implementation in rural communities.  Print, $10. Download PDF, free. 

• A Guidebook for Connecting Individuals to Opportunity (2011) This workbook  guides community groups seeking to connect low-income individuals with economic development opportunties. It will be most effective if the process is led by a trained facilitator. Print, $10. Download PDF, free. 

Small Towns

 Small Towns Action Agenda: Priority Recommendations from the Small Towns Action Council (2009)

This 17-point plan recommends steps to help small towns bolster their fiscal capacity and build their economies. The recommendations stem from more than three years of work by the Small Towns Action Council, whose members include public officials and representatives of nonprofits and educational institutions. 30 pages. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.

Small Towns, Big Ideas: Case Studies in Small Town Community Economic Development (2009)

Small Towns, Big Ideas documents the stories of 45 small towns that are surviving – and in some cases thriving – as hubs of civic and economic activity. It tells how these towns planned and implemented economic development strategies, describes the challenges they’ve had to overcome and explains why their strategies are working. 244 pages. Out of print. Download PDF, free.

Clean Water

 Water 2030 series (2006)

• Impact of the 1998 Clean Water Bonds

  In 1998, North Carolina voters approved $800 million in bonds to help communities install or make repairs and updates to water and sewer systems. This report documents where the money went, how it was used and the needs it answered. 12 pages. Download PDF, free.



• Trends in Water and Sewer Financing

  The Rural Center charted annual financing for water and sewer projects statewide for the years 1995 through 2005. 12 pages. Download PDF, free.



• Water, Sewer and Stormwater Capital Needs, 2005-2030

  A detailed study reveals $16.6 billion in needed investments in clean water infrastructure statewide by the year 2030. It includes county-by-county assessments. 20 pages. Download PDF, free.



• Water 2030 Conclusions and Recommendations

  This summary hits the highlights of the Water 2030 research findings and recommends measures for answering documented needs. 6 pages. Download PDF, free.

Workforce

Help for dislocated workers: Local nonprofits team with workforce agencies to help laid-off workers survive, find new jobs (2009)

From 2004 through 2007, the Rural Center conducted a multi-site demonstration project testing ways local communities can fill the gaps left by traditional workforce programs. This Findings Report describes the project and its outcomes. 6 pages. Download PDF, free.

The Impact of Economic and Political Developments on North Carolina’s Tobacco Farm Workers (2008)

This report examines the repercussions of the 1998 tobacco settlement and end of the quota system on livelihoods of tobacco farm workers. It places the issues against the recent history of tobacco farm workers; explores who makes up the tobacco farm work force; identifies further challenges and opportunities facing North Carolina farm workers; and suggests areas for public policy consideration. 122 pages. Download PDF, free.

Back on Track: 16 Promising Practices to Help Dislocated Workers, Businesses and Communities (2006)

Some of the nation’s more successful programs helping workers find new jobs at decent wages are profiled. The report is based on research by CFED on behalf of the Rural Center. 76 pages. Download PDF, free.

Gaining a Foothold: An Action Agenda to Aid North Carolina’s Dislocated Workers (2005)

This report describes the characteristics and experiences of rural and urban dislocated workers in North Carolina and examines federal and state policy issues related to services for dislocated workers. It was developed by the Rural Center in collaboration with leaders of about 15 major public and nonprofit organizations involved in workforce development, economic development and human services in North Carolina. 48 pages. Download PDF, free.

Youth Engagement

 

North Carolina Youth Engagement Resource Guide (2011)

This book includes information that can lead to grant, scholarship, volunteer and networking opportunities. The guide concentrates on nonprofit and governmental resources to engage youth in a meaningful way. Print, $15. Contents may be searched through the free, online Rural Resource Guide.