Rural Economic Development Center Inc

Programs: The rural center delivers critical resources to support existing businesses and enable the emergence of successful, new entrepreneurs. The rural center works with individuals trying to start or expand a small business by connecting them to capital, coaching, and community resources. Small businesses are the backbone of our rural economies and the lifeblood of our state's small towns. The rural center believes equitable economic growth across our state depends on sustaining rural small businesses and nurturing small-town entrepreneurs. The center operates a micro-loan fund and several entrepreneurial support programs to foster rural businesses. The center also operates the loan participation program and the capital access program to support private sector capital formation in all 100 north carolina counties.

the rural center serves as the state's leading advocate for its many rural communities. The rural center provides local, regional, and state leaders the information they need to be informed on the important rural issues. The center identifies specific topics for more in-depth exploration and partners with experts to lift up policy and research that informs the decisions of today and helps plan for the choices of tomorrow. With a voice informed by data, research, and best practices, the center advocates on the local, state, and federal levels for the compelling issues facing rural communities: issues like broadband access, healthcare, education, energy, workforce development, and infrastructure.

the rural center helps rural communities articulate clear visions, invest in building their assets, and create cultures of collaborative problem solving. As a promoter of leadership that is inclusive, connected, informed, and creative, the rural center nurtures the state's next generation of rural leaders. The center works to equip communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage the challenges of a changing economic landscape and to promote sustained economic and community development. The center's rural economic development institute (redi) has trained more than 1,100 rural leaders since 1989. The community engagement program provides capacity building, technical assistance and training to rural communities. The center also offers customized economic and community development training to regional partners, industry groups, and other agencies.

rural development, properties