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ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity

Sep 29, 2021

Director’s Log | September 2021

5-4-3-2-1…Ignition! IEI prides itself on facing forward, looking around the corner to see what big challenges and opportunities are coming to North Carolina, then asking you what we can do… 

Jun 28, 2021

Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance (Reconnect to Technological Opportunity)

As the city of Charlotte prepared to become a gigabit city, the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance (CDIA) emerged as a strategic head, responsible for developing a comprehensive plan for digital… 

Jun 18, 2021

Digital Durham (Reconnect to Technological Opportunity)

The “digital divide” in our country looks different depending on which side you sit on, and what sort of community you live in. Laura Fogle is one of the founders… 

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Feb 2, 2021

First in Future: Sarah Langer Hall

In this episode of First in Future, we have the first five time guest, Sarah Langer Hall, the Institute for Emerging Issues Senior Policy and Program Manager. We talk with her about the 35th Emerging Issues Forum, which happens virtual over four days with a range of exciting guests. We learn how she pulls it all together, what she has learned along the way and attending this forum, what will we come away with. 

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Nov 17, 2020

First in Future: The Ties That Bind Us (part 3) – Zachary Barricklow

This is part three of a three episode series of First in Future, where we focus on community, specifically what people and places in North Carolina are doing to make the places we live special. In the final part of our special focus on what transforms a place we live into a true community, we talk with Zach Barricklow of Wilkes Community College about the regional approach Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties are taking to build off of their collective assets (especially high speed internet) to hold on to young people, retrain adults and attract new residents to the area. 

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Nov 10, 2020

First in Future: The Ties That Bind Us (part 2) – Dante Pittman

This is part of a three episode series of First in Future, where we want to focus on community, specifically what people and places in North Carolina are doing to make the places we live special. Small towns everywhere complain about "brain drain", young educated people who move away for college and don't come back. In the second part of our series on what makes the places we live special, we talk with Dante Pittman, who chose to move back home to Wilson, NC, with the help of a new effort called "Lead for North Carolina." And we explore the question: how do we retain and retrain and stop brain drain? 

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Oct 13, 2020

First in Future: Maggie Woods

Recently, many have been trying to help our kids with digital homework, or our local government officials have been trying to figure out how to make our community more accessible or competitive in this digital world. This First in Future episode's guest is the Institute for Emerging Issues' own Maggie Woods, Policy and Program Manager, who is looking at the idea of "digital inclusion." She explores what a difference it can make for our state to take full advantage of high speed 

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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. 

Jun 15, 2020

IEI Announces New Grant Program to Fund Digital Inclusion Plans Across NC

Seth Ervin took the stage at the ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity forum on February 10 and painted a picture of today’s technological world.  “It’s a world barreling towards progress without… 

May 19, 2020

First in Future: CIO of the City of Asheville Jonathan Feldman

Summary: This First in Future episode features Jonathan Feldman, CIO of the City of Asheville, columnist for InformationWeek, author of “Beyond Transparency” and technology speaker with a sense of humor.…