NC Rural Center

The South Carolina highway system covers 41,000 miles of roadways, many are rural. We talk to the first new South Carolina Department of Transportation leader in nearly a decade about hurricane repair, collaboration with North Carolina and creative funding for transportation projects. In this CBR Short, SC Transportation Secretary Justin Powell on the record with Chris William about setting rural priorities. Panelists include Patrick Woodie, President & CEO, NC Rural Center Christopher Finn, Interim President and CEO, @South Carolina I-77 Alliance Watch the full conversation: PBS North Carolina, WTVI PBS Charlotte & SCETV. https://lnkd.in/ePfumY73

It's #NationalRuralHealthDay and in honor of all of the practitioners and advocates trying to make rural North Carolina a healthier place, we recognize one of your own - Renee Clark of the state Office of Rural Health, a rural health specialist and 2021 graduate of our Rural Economic Development Institute. https://ow.ly/eGC150UbiJm #RuralHealth #Healthcare #Leadership #CelebrateRural

Always an honor to join Chris William and he’s guests on Carolina Business Review.

Today, Truist announced a three-year, $725 million commitment in support of long-term recovery, relief, and resiliency efforts to help Western North Carolina rebuild after Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of the storm, Truist teammates volunteered countless hours to help meet the immediate humanitarian needs of our neighbors. Bringing these communities back stronger and more resilient than ever will take considerable time and resources. We are committed to this important recovery. Our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities is the foundation for the Truist Cares for Western North Carolina initiative; we will work closely with community groups and leverage our expertise and partnerships to make a meaningful difference. Truist Cares for Western North Carolina will support: - critical small business - housing - infrastructure efforts across Western North Carolina Our three-year, $725 million commitment will include: - philanthropic giving from Truist Foundation - impact capital from Truist Community Capital - new dedicated capital for local small businesses, residents, and municipalities - on-the-ground humanitarian support from Truist teammates and partners In the weeks and months ahead, we will evaluate community feedback from key local, civic, and business stakeholders, and we’ll begin providing resources through this new program starting in December. You can read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/e3DCNfpx #TruistCares #Purpose #Community

Election analysis from The Daily Yonder finds that President-elect Trump gained ground in every part of North Carolina except major city suburbs, mostly fitting with a trend across all of the seven election swing states. https://ow.ly/1P7n50UbbkE #RuralCounts #Elections

?? Business Recovery Updates for WNC Small Businesses ?? Here’s where we stand with the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund: ? 841 applications received ? 451 fully processed (54%) ? 353 loans funded, totaling $19M Let’s Keep the Momentum Going: Double-check your documentation! Missing items are the top delay in application processing. Send any missing files to [email protected] with the subject "Missing Documentation." Interested in grants? Deadlines are approaching! ??WNC Recovery Grant Initiative: Apply by Nov. 27 ??NEW Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Fund: Apply by Nov. 27 ?? Need help? Weekly webinars, Spanish sessions, and recovery specialists are here for you. Details at ?? wncstrongtogether.org Let’s rebuild stronger—together. ??

Today, Truist announced a three-year, $725 million commitment in support of long-term recovery, relief, and resiliency efforts to help Western North Carolina rebuild after Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of the storm, Truist teammates volunteered countless hours to help meet the immediate humanitarian needs of our neighbors. Bringing these communities back stronger and more resilient than ever will take considerable time and resources. We are committed to this important recovery. Our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities is the foundation for the Truist Cares for Western North Carolina initiative; we will work closely with community groups and leverage our expertise and partnerships to make a meaningful difference. Truist Cares for Western North Carolina will support: - critical small business - housing - infrastructure efforts across Western North Carolina Our three-year, $725 million commitment will include: - philanthropic giving from Truist Foundation - impact capital from Truist Community Capital - new dedicated capital for local small businesses, residents, and municipalities - on-the-ground humanitarian support from Truist teammates and partners In the weeks and months ahead, we will evaluate community feedback from key local, civic, and business stakeholders, and we’ll begin providing resources through this new program starting in December. You can read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/e3DCNfpx #TruistCares #Purpose #Community

As western North Carolinians continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, NCLM President Mark-Anthony Middleton of City of Durham joins western NC local leaders in encouraging everyone to safely explore the beauty of western North Carolina this fall. Many local businesses, restaurants, and hospitality options are ready and eager to welcome tourists to the region, offering stunning fall foliage, breathtaking mountainous landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Tourism is a critical part of the recovery process for western municipalities. The influx of visitors helps support local economies, secure jobs, and rebuild vital community infrastructure. By visiting and spending time in the region, you are directly contributing to the recovery efforts and helping these communities thrive in the aftermath of their devastation. Before traveling, please be sure to check road conditions and local updates here: https://lnkd.in/eWSPPM9S and call ahead to confirm services and amenities. Your safety is always a priority, so make sure all is clear before you go—but most importantly, take the time to enjoy the beauty of western NC! Together, we can help western NC recover and thrive by promoting tourism and supporting local businesses.

Grant funding is a vital pillar of a robust economic recovery. For small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene, there are several active grant opportunities to explore. ?? Two local Buncombe County programs are offering recovery grants of up to $25,000 each for affected businesses (deadline: November 27th). Don’t miss your chance to secure these resources and fuel your business recovery. Visit https://lnkd.in/gS9hUePv for details and application links. ?? Anyone with the means to donate to our efforts —every contribution helps rebuild our community and serve as many WNC business as possible. ?? #GrantFunding #EconomicRecovery #SmallBusinessResilience #MountainBizWorks #WNC

The importance of affordable childcare cannot be overstated, but too often people and families in North Carolina live in childcare deserts - areas that lack adequate access to childcare. Our latest research finds that in North Carolina, 44% of rural residents live in a childcare desert, a number that is comparable to the state's suburban and urban residents. There are also challenges in finding workers and paying them a living wage. Read more in our new report "State of Childcare in Rural North Carolina" from our Research and Data Manager Dalton Bailey. https://ow.ly/GMWm50U9GmK #Childcare #SmallBiz #InvestInRural #RuralCounts