Rural Economic Development Institute
The Rural Center undertakes a number of efforts to ensure that rural communities are equipped with skilled, committed, and informed leaders.
Since its inception, the Rural Center has recognized the vital importance of local leadership to the success of our state’s rural areas. The Center’s flagship leadership program, the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), has trained nearly 1,200 rural leaders. REDI offers participants collaborative leadership skills and rural development strategies to help them return home and make meaningful impact in their communities. In addition, graduates of the program become part of a larger alumni network of leaders. They also have the opportunity to participate in advanced training and continuing education.
REDI 2019 dates will be announced soon.
REDI Graduation 2017
“REDI taught me that being a leader has less to do with titles and more to do with modeling the way, encouraging the heart, enabling others to act, and inspiring a shared vision, which anyone within an organization or community can do, without an official title or stereotypical position of leadership.
Professionally, I have been asked by many communities to be a “change agent,” and, more often than not, one will find that people are afraid of change, but there are ways to ameliorate the stress associated with such. REDI equipped me with a diverse toolset to handle those efforts.”
Elton Daniels
REDI Alumni Spotlight
Jessica McDaniel Q: What is your current job? A: Began as director of Small Business Center at Randolph Community College on March 1. I recently founded a nonprofit, Rural RedThread!, which focuses on community development through education and entrepreneurship. We...
Welcome REDI XXVIII
REDI Class XXVIII Participants Angela Allen, Oxford Wesley Barker, Wilkesboro Nikki Bettis, Yanceyville Wes Brinegar, Sparta Robert Coble, Raleigh Rebecca Copeland, Rocky Mount Miranda Dalton, Rocky Mount Tonya Easterwood, Garner Natalie Eidson, Elkin...
Want to learn more?
Contact Bronwyn Lucas,
Director of Leadership
blucas@ncruralcenter.org
Apply
The REDI 2019 application will be open soon.