- North Carolina Rural Initiative – a center-led joint venture of state, federal and local governments, the banking community and nonprofits – targets more than $85 million in investments to rural communities.
- The center funds development of “Technology in the School House,” a report detailing the outdated state of technology in rural schools. It ultimately leads to major funding by the General Assembly for technology upgrades.
- The N.C. General Assembly directs funding to the Rural Center to establish the Supplemental and Capacity Building Grants Fund to help rural communities upgrade water and sewer systems.
- Through the Church Child Care Initiative, the center works with the faith community to answer the need for quality childcare options in rural communities. The partnership with the faith community later expands to help people transition from welfare to work. In a few years, these programs will evolve into a separate nonprofit organization called Faith Partnerships Inc.
