It’s officially hurricane season. Unfortunately, parts of our state have already experienced devastation due to Tropical Storm Chantal. This blog from the North Carolina State Climate Office provides valuable insights into what made this storm so destructive for Central North Carolina. As communities in Alamance, Chatham, Moore and Orange counties, as well as other areas impacted by the storm, work to recover and rebuild, it is not lost on me that we have not yet reached the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Once Chantal left our state, organizations from across the state stepped up to support those impacted by the storm, including multiple mountain-based organizations in a show of solidarity and support for their fellow North Carolinians who had done the same for them in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This is what makes North Carolina special—our commitment to each other in the face of adversity.

At IEI, this reinforces the need for statewide conversations regarding infrastructure, particularly regarding water. In the coming weeks, our team will hit the road for a series of focus groups to help plan the 2026 forum, “Future Forward Water.” We’ll hold six total sessions: two in the east, two in the Piedmont and two in the mountains, to engage with community leaders about water-related challenges facing their communities and successful local efforts. The information gathered will help shape the regional forums on Feb. 25, 2026, and will be critical in the development of recommendations by the statewide Water Infrastructure Advisory Council.

While we are in the midst of summer, our team is also busy planning several programmatic events that will take place later this fall.

We’re excited to announce that the next Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative cohort will take place in October! Registration will open in the coming weeks. In the meantime, fill out this form to be among the first to hear when registration opens!

The 2025 Faith and Community Initiative conference is scheduled to take place in late fall. Our team has scheduled several virtual listening sessions from now through the end of August to help shape the conference. You can view the full schedule and register for the session that works best for you at this link.

Following a highly successful Digital Opportunity Gathering in April, our team is once again partnering with the N.C. Department of Information Technology on the next gathering, scheduled to take place in Eastern North Carolina later this year. Registration launches this fall. Stay tuned!

The coming months are sure to go by in a blur. I wish you all a restful and relaxing season. Please stay cool in this summer heat!