Economic Development

Sep 3, 2019

First in Future: Dean of Metropolitan College at Johnson C. Smith University Laura Colson McLean

Summary: The best estimate of the My Future NC Commission for the number of people in North Carolina who started college but then dropped out is 905,000. In many ways,… 

Aug 30, 2019

Accelerate Cleveland Tackles the Skills Gap in Shelby

Cleveland County, like many other counties in North Carolina, is dealing with the problem of the skills gap: a large number of skilled jobs available, but few workers with the… 

Aug 27, 2019

OIC Provides One-Stop Shop for Opportunity

For the upcoming ReCONNECT to Economic Opportunity forum on Oct. 15 in Charlotte, the Institute for Emerging Issues has chosen five community initiatives from throughout North Carolina that will share… 

Aug 27, 2019

First in Future: President of the state association of County Commissioners Kevin Austin

Summary: The Institute for Emerging Issues recently provided a series of workshops at the state’s biggest gathering of underappreciated elected officials—the annual meeting of the North Carolina Association of County… 

Aug 21, 2019

Family Success Centers: Putting Down Roots in Greensboro

For the upcoming ReCONNECT to Economic Opportunity forum on Oct. 15 in Charlotte, the Institute for Emerging Issues has chosen five community initiatives from throughout North Carolina that will share… 

Aug 20, 2019

IEI Takeaways: Tackling the Skills Gap, One Barrier at a Time

Here at the Institute for Emerging Issues, we find ourselves engaged in a number of conversations surrounding key issues in our state. We read, research and discuss a myriad of… 

Aug 13, 2019

First in Future: Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Appalachian State Matt Dull and Entrepreneur Ged Moody

Summary: Many people in NC think we’ve forgotten how to talk to each other. That’s why the Institute for Emerging Issues is taking part in the Civic Conversations Project with… 

Jul 30, 2019

First in Future: President of the NC Economic Development Association Dr. Pat Mitchell

Summary: Dr. Pat Mitchell has spent her career thinking about how to make NC a better state. She has been an economic developer, a county manager, head of rural development… 

Jun 18, 2019

First in Future: Head of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at NC State Audrey Jaeger

Summary:  One of the most exciting public policy projects going on in North Carolina is the report of the My Future NC Commission. It is a report setting an “attainment… 

May 14, 2019

First in Future: President of the Statesville Chamber of Commerce Shannon Viera

Summary: The growing economy is causing business challenges across the state as communities scramble to attract talented people from other places to work there, and to make sure the people…