The Institute for Emerging Issues

Connecting North Carolina to ideas and North Carolinians to each other.

2025 Emerging Issues Forum:
Future Forward Energy

By 2050, North Carolina’s population is expected to grow to 14 million, driving unprecedented demands on North Carolina’s energy infrastructure. The 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy will bring together policymakers, industry experts and community leaders to examine these demands, focusing on resiliency, affordability and workforce development. The forum will take place on February 19, 2025, at the NC State University McKimmon Center.

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Registration Open for the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum

Registration is now open for the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy. The forum, held by the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University, will take place on…

A group of people gathered outdoors for the IEI National Advisory Board's 20th anniversary celebration; text reads “IEI National Advisory Board, Celebrating 20 Years.".

IEI National Advisory Board Celebrates 20th Anniversary

On Thursday, Oct. 24, past and present members of the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) National Advisory Board, along with IEI directors, partners and guests, celebrated two decades of collaborative efforts to address the emerging issues impacting North Carolina.

Director’s Message | October 2024

In her October message, IEI Director Sarah Hall gives us a glimpse into the year 2050 and connects the future of North Carolina to the 2025-2027 Emerging Issues Forum series, Future Forward Infrastructure.

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About IEI

Established in 2002 at NC State University, the Institute for Emerging Issues is a nonpartisan, public policy organization that connects individuals and businesses across sectors, regions and perspectives to address emerging issues in the state. Through this collaboration, IEI is connecting North Carolinians to build consensus and move to action; inspiring and preparing citizens and leaders to meet future challenges head-on.

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Financial Resilience Community Cohort Announced

IEI is excited to announce the five regional teams that will make up the Financial Resilience community cohort. The cohort met for the first time on June 26 at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on NC State’s Centennial Campus.

Mac Sims (center), President of East Greensboro Now, discusses how Guilford County must be able to adapt to the continued growth and economic desirability of the region.

Clean Energy, AI and Growth: Guilford County Workforce Leaders Hold Action Meeting on Jobs of the Future

Guilford County’s continued growth and workforce opportunities was the central theme at the “Jobs of the Future: Guilford County Workforce Action Meeting” that took place on March 20 in High Point.

Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) Is Building A Talent Pipeline For Years to Come

Since 2016, the Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) program has provided approximately 100 Guilford County high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to “earn and learn” by gaining paid work experience while receiving their associates degree on full scholarship.

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