NC Rural Center

10/26/2026

NC RURAL NEWS UPDATES: Recent news from across rural North Carolina

🔹 NC Newsline wrote about how a historic school in Yanceyville has been converted into 53 affordable apartments for seniors: https://ow.ly/MVpK5100PHu

🔹 The Robesonian reported on UNC Pembroke's free, two-week bioprocessing course that prepares individuals for entry-level roles in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The next training will be held Dec. 7-18: https://ow.ly/CpX85100PHs

🔹 NC Health News covered the fight in Chatham County against a proposed Enbridge gas pipeline that would run from Moncure to Siler City: https://ow.ly/igPs5100PHt

For older North Carolinians, developments like the Dillard School Apartments are addressing the growing challenge of finding housing that fits a limited budget as rising rents and other expenses compete with fixed retirement income and Social Security benefits.

10/23/2026

Rural Center President & CEO Patrick Woodie joined Gig East to celebrate its 10-year anniversary at the new Wilson Stadium. The City of Wilson, NC - Government founded Gig East to boost the region's tech sector and advance smart technology, and the effort continues to pay off.

Chris Estes, the Rural Center's chief program officer, also visited Wilson recently to keynote Wilson Forward's annual meeting and share how that community organization is uniquely positioned to shape the region's future. You can read more about his visit from the Wilson Times Co.: https://ow.ly/pC0h5100hoE

Thank you to our friends in Wilson for hosting us and for your partnership as we build a stronger rural North Carolina.

10/22/2026

The NC Rural Center created the Rural Issues Poll so we could hear from rural residents and advocates about the key issues in their communities. So far, 79% of responses to the 2026 poll have come from rural North Carolina.

The poll will close in a few weeks, so there is still time to let your voice be heard! Consider taking the poll and giving us insight into the major issues in your home county. It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete, and as a thank you for your time, you'll be entered into a drawing for three tickets to the 2027 Rural Summit.

Help us better serve rural North Carolina today: https://ow.ly/rzLW50ZZvB8
Encuesta disponible en español: https://ow.ly/ftrE50ZZvBb

If you've already taken the poll, thank you for your time. We'd be so grateful if you could share this post with your networks!

10/22/2026

The Rural Listening Tour has officially wrapped! Thank you to everyone who joined us in person, shared your experiences, and helped make these conversations possible. Thank you also to everyone who took the time to share your thoughts through our Rural Issues Poll.

If you haven't already filled out our poll, there’s still time to make your voice heard. Please share the poll with others if they would like to share about their rural community.

Take the Rural Issues Poll: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rural_issues_2026
Encuesta en Español: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rural_issues_2026_spanish

10/21/2026

NC RURAL BUSINESS UPDATES: Recent funding news from across rural North Carolina

🔸 The Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved nine grant requests for local governments totaling over $2 million. The funds are expected to create 219 jobs and over $504 million in private investment: https://ow.ly/Ho5j50ZYE46

🔸 USDA Rural Development has committed almost $2 million for a new community center in Halifax County and emergency response equipment in Bertie County: https://ow.ly/lK4V50ZYE45

🔸 Asheville is creating a Workforce Development Program to help low- to moderate-income residents. The program will be paid for with federal disaster recovery funding: https://ow.ly/7McV50ZYE47

10/21/2026

Do you have a breakout session idea about an initiative, success, or project happening in rural North Carolina? If so, we're looking for speakers to present during breakout sessions at our 2027 Rural Summit. The Summit will take place March 24-25, 2027, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park.

All proposals need to be about at least one of the Rural Center's four foundation pillars:
🔹 Leadership
🔹 Capital
🔹 Advocacy
🔹 Capacity building

Your session does not need to be fully planned. The Summit Planning Committee will work with you to develop the session.

Proposal ideas are due Friday, October 30.

To learn more about what makes a strong proposal idea, view the request for proposals, and submit your idea, visit https://ow.ly/p2I850ZVz9X.

10/20/2026

If you'd like to hear about Rural Center news, programming, and events, the easiest way to stay up to date is by signing up for our newsletter. The photos in this post are from our most recent email.

You can view this month's newsletter and sign up for future emails at the following link: https://ow.ly/6oRM50ZXmKT

10/20/2026

The theme for this year's Grassroots Leadership Conference is "Rural Roots, Connected Communities, A Shared Heritage." Conference programming includes a look at how rural and small-town communities have shaped our state and discussing how strong community partnerships can build more resilient communities.

This conference offers time for community leaders, volunteers, advocates, elected officials, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for positive community development while also celebrating North Carolina's roots.

NC Rural Center President and CEO Patrick Woodie will deliver this year's keynote address.

The event is sponsored by Cooperative Extension at A&T in partnership with the NC A&T Extension Strategic Planning Council. It will be held Thursday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Maxwell Center in Goldsboro.

The event is free and open to the public, but attendees must register by October 23.

To find out more and register: www.ncat.edu/news/2026/10/glc-goldsboro.php'

The next Grassroots Leadership Conference will host discussions on strategies for positive community development while celebrating North Carolina’s rural roots.

10/19/2026

NC RURAL NEWS UPDATES: Recent news from across rural North Carolina

🔸 Carolina Public Press wrote about the uptick in families visiting food pantries across North Carolina and how CORA Food Pantry is handling increased demand: https://ow.ly/yyNx50ZXmhl

🔸 Border Belt Independent reported on the $3 million in federal funding Robeson County will receive to connect homeless residents with drug treatment options and housing programs: https://ow.ly/Y58e50ZXmhm

🔸 CoastalReview.org looked at the 2026 North Carolina Wetlands Program Plan. The voluntary initiative outlines North Carolina's goals and strategies to protect and manage the state's 3.9 million acres of wetlands through 2030: https://ow.ly/LClB50ZXmhn

Surging costs drive demand at food pantries like CORA in Chatham County and across much of NC. Further loss of resources could be devastating.

10/19/2026

The Town of Fair Bluff celebrated its resiliency recently with the screening of an hourlong documentary about its 10 years of recovery starting with a beating delivered by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. Hurricane Florence swept through two years later and knocked them back again.

For the film's premiere, nearly 150 people gathered in a church reception hall, many of them walking a red carpet in tuxedos or evening gowns. They were the stars of the documentary "The Fight for Fair Bluff" produced by Southeastern Community College. The Rural Center, state and local officials, and town supporters joined the celebration.

Fair Bluff has received $65 million in recovery funds in the last decade, Town Planner Al Leonard shared. With that money, the town has:

▪️Relocated its central business district
▪️Built a new affordable apartment complex
▪️Flood-proofed 50 houses in low-lying areas
▪️Renovated a former school for use as a community center
▪️Replaced town hall
▪️Started converting a former school into a senior living facility

Returning a grocery store to town comes next, Leonard said.

The town nearly lost its charter after the floods, but a determined team of state legislators, town commissioners, and staff refused to let Fair Bluff die. Now, they're reaching out to other small communities to offer more than just hope. They have a blueprint for recovery.

Congratulations to our friends in Fair Bluff on their success and the community they've rebuilt.

Read more in this report from WWAY: https://www.wwaytv3.com/new-documentary-highlights-fair-bluffs-recovery-from-hurricanes-matthew-and-florence/