News & Updates
NC Rural Center prepares to deploy $201.8M for small businesses through loans, VC fund investments
Nearly $202 million in federal funding coming to North Carolina is planned to support small businesses throughout the state through lending initiatives and equity investments in venture capital funds. The NC Rural Center has been allocated this allotment of State...
NC Rural Center will convene leaders from across the state for 2022 Rural Summit, forward-focused on resiliency
The NC Rural Center will host its signature event, the Rural Summit, on March 21-22 at the North Raleigh Hilton, focused on building a stronger tomorrow. This event, presented by Truist, is attended annually by leaders from across the state, and will provide...
NC Rural Center, Thread Capital, and CornerSquare Community Capital join A Better Wake and commit to dismantling systemic racism
NC Rural Center and its subsidiaries, Thread Capital and CornerSquare Community Capital, joined the 80+ companies and organizations that have signed on to A Better Wake’s pledge and made a commitment to dismantle systemic racism in Wake County.* A Better Wake started...
Recent REDI Graduates Mark Over 1,300 Statewide Leaders Trained by NC Rural Center in 31 years
RALEIGH, NC— The NC Rural Center graduated 18 participants last week from their Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the organization’s flagship leadership development program, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Jordan Lumber. The three-month intensive training...
NC Rural Counts 2021 State Legislative Session Recap
The 2021 legislative session delivered historic investment to rural North Carolina with over 185 bills signed into law and a combined $52 billion appropriated in the 2021-2023 FYS budget. Our 2021 State Legislative Recap provides a comprehensive analysis of the...
Shopping local: the gift that keeps giving
“When you prioritize local purchase decisions, you are putting meals on the tables of your neighbors and helping the businesses that sponsor your child’s sports team,” said David Jackson, president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “You are making community in...
NC Rural Center commends State Budget; thanks Legislators and Governor for rural wins and highlights continued, critical needs for the future
The NC Rural Center reacted favorably to the State Budget signed into law Thursday, November 18, citing numerous wins for the 78 rural counties in our state. The Center particularly highlights the allocations that will expand rural broadband availability, incentivize...
A message from Patrick about…the 2020 Census
With the recent release of the 2020 Census Data, we find that the number of rural counties in North Carolina has shifted from 80 to 78 since 2010. There continues to be a trend in population gains in metro/regional areas in our state, directly leading to the flip of...
Rural Counts Webinar Series: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
As you know, in March, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law, allocating $1.9 trillion dollars to help America recover and build back from the COVID-19 pandemic. North Carolina received nearly $18 billion for local governments, fiscal recovery,...
NC Rural Center Joins NCIOM Task Force on the Future of Local Public Health in NC
Bronwyn Lucas, senior director of leadership and engagement for the NC Rural Center, has been invited to serve on the North Carolina Institute of Medicine’s Task Force on the Future of Local Public Health in North Carolina. The goal of this work, supported by the Kate...