Economic Development

Oct 6, 2020

First in Future: Jess George

One of the most complicated challenges of the coronavirus has been the need for more broadband. It has been a challenge that the Institute for Emerging Issues has been working on for awhile. We have been working with the state Broadband Infrastructure Office to get grants out to school systems, nonprofits, and communities. Our First in Future guest this episode is Jess George, who represents one of the critical private investors in infrastructure, Google Fiber. Jess is their government and community affairs representative. 

Sep 21, 2020

First in Future: Cecilia Holden and Jeni Corn

Three years ago myFutureNC looked at NC’s future economy and came to the conclusion that to meet the needs of the future, we need more people with some sort of meaningful credential beyond high school. The Institute for Emerging Issues has been looking at this issue over the past few months, and we’re bringing together a big discussion of all those issues in a few days. This episode features the head of the nonprofit myFutureNC, Cecilia Holden and their research director, Jeni Corn. 

Sep 15, 2020

First in Future: Sarah Hall

myFutureNC looked at NC’s future economy and came to the conclusion that to meet the needs of the future. This episode features IEI Senior Policy and Program Manager Sarah Hall, who’s been has been looking at this issue. 

Aug 25, 2020

First in Future: Wit Tuttell

In 2019, 51 million tourists spent nearly $27B in the state. We checked in with the executive director of Visit NC, Wit Tuttell on tourism revenues in NC are down $7B so far this year with roughly 25% unemployment and hotel occupancy rates of about 40%. 

Jul 21, 2020

First in Future: Chair for the NC School of Science and Math Tom Looney

Summary: The Institute for Emerging Issues is spending a lot of time focusing on the future of education and work. That is the main focus of the interview with this… 

Jun 19, 2020

Jumpstarting Local Government

Summary: Leslie Boney, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues, hosts a series of virtual conversations discussing the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and some of the ways our state is… 

Jun 12, 2020

Jumpstarting Tourism

Summary: Leslie Boney, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues, hosts a series of virtual conversations discussing the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and some of the ways our state is… 

May 26, 2020

First in Future: James Ford and Lori Thomas of UNC Charlotte

Summary: A new series of reports from the Urban Institute at UNC Charlotte took a closer look at who has wealth in the Charlotte region and who doesn’t. The series… 

May 22, 2020

The Way Back from Unemployment?

Summary: Leslie Boney, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues, hosts a series of virtual conversations discussing the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and some of the ways our state is… 

May 5, 2020

First in Future: EVP & General Manager of PrecisionLender Carl Ryden (Part 1)

Summary: This episode of First in Future, our guest is Carl Ryden, a business innovator of some amazing companies. Carl is a native of Lenoir County with a humble background.…