NC Rural Center

10/16/2026

The Appalachian Regional Commission is accepting proposals from qualified consultants to provide transportation and economic development services to strengthen the Appalachian Region's transportation systems.

Proposals are due on or before November 10 at 5 p.m.

As directed by the ARC Transportation Team, the selected consultant shall provide hourly, expert support for activities including:
🔸 Completion of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS)
🔸 Facilitation of the Network Appalachia transportation advisory group
🔸 Support for transportation research efforts
🔸 Review of applications for ARC transportation projects
🔸 Consultation on general transportation and economic development efforts

The contractor will provide support services to ARC from March 1, 2027, to February 29, 2028.

Read the full Request for Proposals here: https://ow.ly/mmCz50ZXp7V

10/16/2026

The NC Rural Center’s Faith in Rural Communities (FIRC) team has published a book showcasing innovative projects at nine rural NC churches.

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

There's still time to take our Rural Issues poll! So far, we've received responses from 98 counties, with only Greene and Currituck without a response. Brunswick County leads the poll with 48 responses.

Help us better understand the key issues of rural North Carolina by taking 5-10 minutes to complete the poll and then share it with others. As a thank you for your time, everyone who responds is entered into a drawing for three free tickets to the 2027 Rural Summit to help us celebrate our 40th anniversary.

Help us better serve rural North Carolina today: https://ow.ly/XTs750ZYivl
Encuesta disponible en español: https://ow.ly/wWAm50ZYivk

10/15/2026

Here's a look at yesterday's listening tour stop in Town of Maysville yesterday!

Tour stops allowed Rural Center staff to hear directly from community members about the current challenges of and opportunities in their regions.

10/15/2026

The Southwestern Commission is offering microgrants of $2,000 to $4,000 to eligible small businesses in Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, the Qualla Boundary, and the towns of Andrews and Marble.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on October 23.

Additional eligibility guidelines:
▪️ Must be a small business with no more than 50 employees.
▪️ Priority will be given to businesses with less than 10 employees.
▪️ Must be serviced by Duke Energy.
▪️ Must have been in operation for more than 1 year.
▪️ Previous microgrant awardees are ineligible.

To learn more and apply, visit: https://ow.ly/zns150ZXp6W

10/14/2026

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

🔸 Farmer Innovation Bridge is a new initiative that will help North Carolina farmers tackle agricultural challenges and opportunities by connecting them with innovators. The North Carolina Chamber Foundation will lead the program with support from the Golden LEAF Foundation and the North Carolina To***co Trust Fund Commission: https://ow.ly/9OKb50ZXkPM

🔸 Wilson-based manufacturer of power controls and switchboards for the energy sector QT Corp plans to invest more than $49 million and create more than 200 jobs in Goldsboro: https://ow.ly/hzT750ZXkPO

🔸 An economic incentive grant for Hefner Reels LLC's planned expansion has been approved by the Alexander County Board of Commissioners: https://ow.ly/Hr1J50ZXkPN

A strategic plan for North Carolina agriculture

10/14/2026

The first session of our 2026 Rural Economic Development Institute wrapped up last week. Thanks to all of the members of the cohort for getting us started out with such energy.

We're excited to have you back in Raleigh next month to continue our work together!

Visit our website to learn more about our leadership programs: www.ncruralcenter.org/rural-economic-development-institute

10/13/2026

Resourceful Communities Creating New Economies Fund is accepting letters of interest for its 2027 small grant program through October 23.

Grassroots organizations, churches, and small towns are invited to apply for projects that strengthen rural North Carolina by advancing the triple bottom line: environmental stewardship, community economic development, and social justice.

The maximum grant amount is $15,000, although grants tend to average between $8,000 and $12,000.

You can learn more here: legacyworksgroup.com/cnef?blm_aid=82253895

Resourceful Communities Small Grants About the Creating New Economies Fund CNEF is Resourceful Communities’ small grant program for grassroots, locally-driven projects that strengthen rural North Carolina communities by advancing the triple bottom line. Link to our CNEF LOI Application (opens on S...