Rural Routes
Rural Routes, the newsletter of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, provides current information on issues that affect rural North Carolina and the activities of the Rural Center. The newsletter is published up to four times annually and has a circulation of 3,500. Subscriptions are free. Click here to be placed on the mailing list. You can also download past issues below.
Note: The .pdf versions of these publications must be viewed with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Fall 2006 -- selected articles
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File Size: 1.02mb
Estimated Download Time: 2 minutes (56k modem) - Innovation provides the key to global competitiveness, speakers tell the Rural Partners Forum
- Business Area Redevelopment Program ties flood recovery to economic development in eight mountain counties
- Conservation Fund helps the underserved become stewards of the land and reclaim their identity
- Sallie Surface is named Outstanding Rural Leader for 2006
Summer 2006 -- selected articles
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File Size: 1.27mb
Estimated Download Time: 2 minutes (56k modem) - Local celebrations kick off the N.C. Small Town Economic Prosperity program (N.C. STEP) in 20 communities across the state
- The General Assembly boosts funding for low-wealth schools, teachers’ salaries and community colleges
- The Rural Center breaks ground on a new conference and training facility
Spring 2006 -- selected articles
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File Size: 5.73mb
Estimated Download Time: more than a few minutes (56k modem) - Findings from the Water 2030 Initiative raise questions about how North Carolina will pay for needed improvements to water, sewer and stormwater systems
- The N.C. Economic Infrastructure Fund keeps some businesses alive and puts vacant buildings to productive use again
- The N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund celebrates 10 years and 800 projects alleviating water-quality problems
- The second phase of Project New Start promises to help more dislocated workers find jobs
Fall 2005 -- selected articles
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File Size: 1.16mb
Estimated Download Time: 3 minutes (56k modem) - Center launches Small Towns Initiative
- Graham County kitchen joins value-added food processing facilities
- HandMade in America elevates western North Carolina's crafts industry
Summer 2005 -- selected articles
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File Size: 740Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 2 minutes (56k modem) - Center awards more than $4 million to redevelop flood-damaged business areas in seven western counties
- Historic legislative session ends with money for rural jobs, infrastructure, schools on the way
- 17 Capital Access Program marks 10 years of growing small businesses, $60 million in loans
Spring-Summer 2005 -- selected articles
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File Size: 556Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 2 minutes (56k modem) - Report urges help on federal, state levels to ease plight of dislocated workers
- North Carolina team wins $2million Kellogg grant
- 17 western communities awarded grants for flood-damaged business areas
Winter-Spring 2005 -- selected articles
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File Size: 406Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1.5 minutes (56k modem) - Board approves Economic Infrastructure Fund Grants
- Center awards last of '98 Clean Water Bonds
- Water 2030: State facing $15 billion in water and sewer needs
Fall 2004 -- selected articles
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File Size: 825Kb
Estimated Download Time: 2 minutes (56k modem) - Center, legislative leaders announce $14.6 million investment to create jobs, shore up rural infrastructure
- N.C. Economic Infrastructure Fund Awards
- From our Forum Speakers...
- Ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates N.C.'s powerful small businesses
Summer 2004 -- selected articles
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File Size: 225Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 1 minute (56k modem) - Dislocated Worker's Summit
- Center's board approves $10.7 million for water/sewer improvements
- Grants program has community approach to entrepreneurship
- Project New start offers return to normalcy for dislocated workers
Spring 2004 -- selected articles
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File Size: 5.71Mb
Estimated Download Time: Many minutes (56k modem) - Telecenter expansion
- Households with high-speed service
- 2004 Forum Highlights
- Rural Economic Development Institute graduates 32 community leaders
Winter/Spring 2004 -- selected articles
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File Size: 1.4Mb
Estimated Download Time: 3.5 minutes (56k modem) - Water 2030
- NC Business Resource Alliance
- 2004 Forum Highlights
- Center board approves $21.4 million for water and wastewater projects
Fall 2003 -- selected articles
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File Size: 1.33Mb
Estimated Download Time: 3.5 minutes (56k modem) - Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship
- Hurricane Isabel
- 2003 Forum Highlights
- Rural Center Board elects new Chairman
Summer 2003 -- selected articles
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File Size: 212Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 1 minute (56k modem) - It's all about jobs
- Regional forum participants respond to challenges ahead
- 2003 Forum Highlights
- Water and Sewer grant awards
- North Carolina Lawmakers renew their commitment to high-speed Internet Service
Spring 2003 -- selected articles
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File Size: 235Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 1 minute (56k modem) - Meet the entrepreneurs who have turned micro-sized businesses into million-dollar enterprises
- Congressional proposals target Southeast
- 2003 Forum Highlights
- Rural Economic Development Institute graduates 32 community leaders
- Civic Ventures Fund Grantees
Fall/Winter 2002/2003 -- selected articles
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File Size: 402Kb
Estimated Download Time: 3.5 minutes (56k modem) - New Capital Access Program to provide $100 million in small business loans throughout rural North Carolina
- Easley details stronger rural-urban bonds in 'One North Carolina' plan
- 2002 Forum Highlights
- Civic Ventures Fund, Phase I
- Rural Center Grant Announcements
Spring 2002 -- selected articles
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File Size: 401Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1 minute (56k modem) - Innovative ideas needed to lift up hard-hit communities
- State, national leaders respond to rural recession with money, new policy initiatives
- Congress passes farm bill
- $5.04 million in water and sewer grants to boost economic development
Winter 2002 -- selected articles
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File Size: 356Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 1 minute (56k modem) - NC to lead nation in statewide web connectivity
- Rural Internet Access Authority announces action plan for e-NC
- Faith Partnerships, Inc. strikes out with new mission
- Burley Marketing Center a success during first season
- A rural development model to watch - Kenaf Project
Summer 2001 -- selected articles
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File Size: 252Kb
Estimated Download Time: Less than 1 minute (56k modem) - N.C. Rural Center Awards more than $19 million in water and sewer grants
- Rural NC goes ONLINE - 2001 Rural Partners Forum
- Center plans first-of-its-kind tobacco marketing center
- Hurricane Floyd relief funds delivered to farmers
Winter 2001 -- selected articles
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File Size: 128Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1 minute (56k modem) - Authority to Bring Internet Access to Rural North Carolina
- Faith Community Annual Conference Highlights
- Farmer Relief Efforts
- Water & Sewer Awards
Summer/Fall 2001 -- selected articles
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File Size: 237Kb
Estimated Download Time: 2 minutes (56k modem) - Rural Center awards more than $19 million in water and sewer grants
- RuralNC goes Online
- e-NC Initiative Moving Forward
- 2001 Rural Partners Forum
- Center to Open Tobacco Marketing Center
Fall 2000 -- selected articles
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File Size: 172Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1.5 minutes (56k modem) - Hunt, Carlisle say technology, innovative thinking keys to rural economic success
- Rural Partners Forum showcases promising rural development initiatives
- Ann Woodford named Rural Leader of the Year
Summer 2000 -- selected articles
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File Size: 256Kb
Estimated Download Time: 2 minutes (56k modem) - Rural issues get attention of 2000 General Assembly
- Residents of tobacco-dependent communities voice concerns
- Golden LEAF taking shape, accepting applications
- Hall pleased with progress of Floyd recovery effort
- Flood relief update
- Creating a real downtown, lofty goal of fledgling town
- Rural Center board adds reservations about electric deregulation
Fall 1999 -- selected articles
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File Size: 450Kb
Estimated Download Time: 3.5 minutes (56k modem) - Hall helps craft request for $1.86 billion lifeline
- Cooperation, local leadership are the keys to recovery, say others who've been through devastating floods
- Statewide task force stays on track as floods intensify woes in east
- Voices from the flood
- Emergency relief: where to go for help
Spring/Summer 1999 -- selected articles
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File Size: 256Kb
Estimated Download Time: 2 minutes (56k modem) - New program tests ways to encourage self-sufficiency: Rural Center collaborates with state, religious groups
- Applications due July 30 for water-sewer grants
- Oxford Partnership puts people on the road
- Handmade project helps small towns accomplish a lot with scarce resources
Winter/Spring 1999 -- selected articles
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File Size: 228Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1.5 minutes (56k modem) - Rural Center study to detail ramifications of tobacco settlement
- Efforts under way to improve accuracy of Census
- Churches challenged to be watchdogs for the poor
- Microenterprise program earns a "star" from SBA
Fall 1998 -- selected articles
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File Size: 229Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1.5 minutes (56k modem) - 'Clean Water' report documents crumbling pipes, limited financing in rural North Carolina
- Agencies move quickly to make bond funds available for water, sewer, gas project
- Local and state leaders rally support for bonds
- Schools reap high-end computers as students gain high-tech skills
Summer 1998 -- selected articles
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File Size: 180Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1 minute (56k modem) - One billion dollars in the balance: water-sewer and gas bonds go onto November 3 ballot
- Electric rates not hurting state's industry, report says
- Highlights: How $800 million in Clean Water Bonds would be allocated
- Uniform maker turns plant into model for rural innovation
- Region earns an 'A' for cooperation as Info Highway site goes on line
Spring 1998 -- selected articles
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File Size: 166Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1 minute (56k modem) - Senate approves bill to send water, sewer, gas bonds to the voters in November 1998
- Key provisions of Senate Bill 1354
- Community celebrates clean water from the tap
- Treating sewage, naturally
- Carlisle sees promise of rural progress
Winter 1998 -- selected articles
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File Size: 152Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1 minute (56k modem) - Amid uncertainties, Rural Center cautious on electric restructuring
- Rural leaders urged to take part in public hearings
- The legislative study commission's charge
- Who serves N.C.?
- South Carolina, Virginia urged to go slow
Fall 1997 -- selected articles
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File Size: 199Kb
Estimated Download Time: 1.5 minutes (56k modem) - Forum speakers outline nine challenges facing rural North Carolina
- Workshop highlights
