May 2009
 News
Equine industry brings $2 billion annually to N.C.
A study authorized by the N.C. General Assembly has documented nearly $2 billion in annual economic impact from the state's equine industry. In addition, almost 20,000 jobs were linked directly or indirectly to the industry. The industry includes horses and their close relatives, such as mules and ponies, and all associated activities and businesses, from horse shows to blanket and fence manufacturing. The General Assembly funded the study in 2007 to determine the industry's economic impact and to identify opportunities for growth. The findings were released by the Equine Study Executive Committee and the Agricultural Advancement Consortium of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, which administered the study. Read the report.
Small Towns Action Agenda released
State and municipal leaders from across North Carolina gathered in Raleigh May 5 to release a 17-point plan 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. The Rural Center convened the council in 2005 as part of a wide-ranging effort to create new economic opportunities for struggling small towns. View the full action agenda.
New website spotlights education for the unemployed
A new website provides an easier way for dislocated workers to learn about federal assistance for training and retraining. The website, Opportunity.gov, is a joint venture of the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. President Obama recently announced initial efforts to reduce barriers to education and training for the unemployed, including financial assistance.
Water, sewer projects receive stimulus funds
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources has announced the first round of drinking water projects that will receive funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Thirty-five projects are on the list, released May 8. The awards total $40 million and go to projects in 28 counties. The department earlier released a list of stormwater and sewer projects to be funded through the stimulus program.
Food expo brings flavor to Got to Be NC Festival
About 80 North Carolina food companies and wineries will showcase their products during the 2009 Got to Be NC Festival Friday through Sunday, May 29-31, at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The expo will take place in the Exposition Building from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Learn more. Meetings and Events May 18-20: Local Climate Leadership Summit
This conference is designed to help city and county officials learn how federal economic recovery programs can help communities create jobs, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases. It's sponsored by Climate Communities and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability-USA. The conference will be held May 18-20 in Washington, D.C. Read more.
June 22: Connecting small businesses with contract opportunities
Small business owners can learn about competitive contract opportunities available through federal agencies June 22. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Craven Community College in New Bern. The event is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. To attend, register by June 17.
Oct. 13-14: Financial Education and Asset Building Conference
The North Carolina IDA Collaborative will hold its third annual conference Oct. 13-14 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center in Durham. Proposals for conference presentations are now being accepted. For more details, watch the organization's website. The collaborative is a statewide organization that promotes asset-building for low-income families through individual development accounts and other strategies.
Nov. 4-5: Rural Partners Forum
The Rural Center will host its annual Rural Partners Forum Nov. 4-5 with a focus on "Funding Our Rural Future: Community strategies to harness resources and effect change." The event will be held at the North Raleigh Hilton. Watch for details in the coming months.
 At the Center
33 STEP towns graduate
It was a celebration and a graduation. Representatives of the first group of towns to join the N.C. Small Towns Economic Prosperity Demonstration Program came to Raleigh May 5 to celebrate three years of accomplishments. The celebration marked the conclusion of the first phase of the program, also called NC STEP. A project of the Rural Center, NC STEP seeks to guide small towns in revitalizing their economies through a combination of technical assistance, training opportunities and grants. Learn more.
Project GATE off to promising start
More than 50 scholarships have been awarded to prospective entrepreneurs in the first month of Project GATE (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship) in North Carolina. The project offers counseling and training assistance to laid-off workers interested in self-employment. It is available in the state's 85 rural counties, through eight community colleges and a "virtual site" operated by the Rural Center. Learn more.
A regional look at agriculture
The Rural Center's Agricultural Advancement Consortium has released a report examining farming in each of North Carolina's seven economic development regions. The purpose is to help localities and regions blend agriculture into economic development policies. The report 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. View the report online or order a printed copy.
$5.4 million in grants announced
In late April, the Rural Center announced nearly $5.4 million in grants to address water and sewer needs, create jobs and further improve rural communities throughout North Carolina. The grants will aid projects in at least 31 counties and create more than 400 jobs. Read the press release.
Grant requirements eased
The Rural Center has reduced matching requirements for water and sewer grants awarded under the job-generating Economic Infrastructure Program. The center's board also extended temporary rules for the Building Reuse and Restoration Grants. Both changes are in response to the ongoing recession and resulting budgetary constraints on local governments. Read more.
Dislocated worker project assessed
In the wake of the 2001 recession, the Rural Center led a multi-year demonstration of a project that tested ways to incorporate faith- and community-based organizations in efforts to assist dislocated workers in gaining new employment. Lessons from that project have been summarized in a new report, "Help for Dislocated Workers." Read the report.
 Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is soliciting grant applications to make nearly $2 billion available to states, local governments and nonprofit housing developers to combat the effects of home foreclosures. The money is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Learn more.
Rural Health Care Initiative under way
The Rural Center is accepting applications for a new, model grants program. The Rural Health Care Initiative is designed to spur economic activity and job creation by assisting in the construction and/or renovation of rural health care facilities. Grants of up to $480,000 will help local governments build or renovate health care facilities in partnership with private or nonprofit agencies. The initiative will accept applications through June 1 for awards to be announced in late August. The program guidelines and application are available online.
Building Reuse applications due June 29
Applications for the next round of grants under the Rural Center's Building Reuse and Restoration Grants Program are due June 29. The program assists communities in preparing vacant properties for new uses by job-generating businesses. Learn more.  Reports and Research
Commerce releases 2009 Economic Index
The N.C. Department of Commerce has released the 2009 North Carolina Economic Index. The report analyzes the state of the economy using 16 indicators and 47 specific measures. Among the tidbits: The population and workforce continue to grow. The five largest industries by employment are manufacturing (which is shrinking), retail trade, health care, social assistance and government. The five top occupations by employment all earn less than $30,000 a year. And labor productivity lags behind the national average. View the report.
Rural folks more likely to lack health insurance
Across the nation, rural residents are more than twice as likely to lack health insurance as their urban counterparts. A new report from the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Neb., examines the causes and consequences. The report notes that farmers and ranchers are more likely than the general population to rely on individual policies with reduced benefits and high deductibles and that a higher proportion of rural workers are employed by small businesses, which are less likely to provide insurance. Read the report.
More businesses with lower income potential starting
New business formation increased in 2008, according to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, and the greatest increases occurred among businesses with lower potential for generating income. In addition, the oldest age group studied (55 to 64) had the highest level of business creation. The authors suggest the picture may be related to the current recession. Read the full report, released April 30.
Tax changes to help rural working families
The Carsey Institute recently released two new studies examining how tax changes in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help rural families. A policy brief shows that 43 percent of eligible rural families may claim a larger Earned Income Tax Credit under the new rules. A fact sheet on the new Making Work Pay Tax Credit says 78 percent of rural working families will receive the full amount of the credit and another 10 percent will receive partial credit. The Carsey Institute is housed at the University of New Hampshire.
|
|
