North Carolina Rising

Resources

Avoca Farms

Avoca, Inc. - Divisions - Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc.
Avoca, Inc. is the world's premier botanical extraction company - a custom developer and manufacturer of extraction products and services. Part art and part science, they blend, extract, concentrate, crystallize purify and isolate unique products for our customers, based upon their specifications.

Northeast North Carolina Commission for Economic Development
North Carolina's Northeast Commission promotes economic development and travel and tourism in the sixteen northeastern North Carolina counties.

Bertie County Government
Official site provides news, budget information, meetings and events, departments, county office directory, and photographs.

The Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center
The Vernon G. James Center is located on the NCDA Tidewater Research Station. Operated by North Carolina State University, the 32,000 square foot facility is one of the off-campus centers which provides a focal point for activities in regions removed from the main campus at Raleigh. Research and Extension goals are primarily associated with agriculture and natural resource topics. Activities conducted at both Tidewater Research Station and the James Center are designed to enhance the agricultural enterprises, natural resources and environment in Northeastern North Carolina.

General

Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD)
The Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) is at the center of a large and growing movement that considers local assets as the primary building blocks of sustainable community development. Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.

"Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets," (Introduction) by John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight
This is a guide about rebuilding troubled communities. It is meant to be simple, basic and usable. Whatever wisdom it contains flows directly out of the experience of courageous and creative neighborhood leaders from across the country.

Center for Collaborative Planning
For more than a decade, the Center for Collaborative Planning, a center of the Public Health Institute, has worked throughout California to promote health and well-being by engaging the capacity of local communities to act based on their own solutions.

NC Biotechnology Center
Randall Johnson, Director, Southeastern Office
Since 1984 North Carolina has invested more than $187 million in biotechnology infrastructure through the Biotechnology Center. That investment includes a range of grants and loans for young companies and education training programs.

North Carolina Community Foundation
Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, President and CEO
The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has made nearly $63 million in grants since its inception in 1988. With more than $130 million in assets, the NCCF sustains 1,000 endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, nonprofit organizations, institutions and scholarships.

North Carolina Department of Commerce
Gloria Nance-Sims, Director, Division of Community Assistance
Divisions of NC's Department of Commerce oversee a variety of programs that reinforce the Department’s primary mission of improving the economic well being and quality of life for all citizens.

NC Rural Economic Development
Elaine Matthews, Senior Vice President
The Rural Center develops, promotes and implements sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. They serve the state’s 85 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. Online resources include the Rural Data Bank, North Carolina's leading source of information on rural people, communities and the rural economy; the Rural Resource Guide where you can find information on local, state and national organizations that provide vital services to North Carolina's rural communities; and the latest state Economic Tiers of financial well-being.

NC State University Industrial Extension Service
Dr. Terri Helmlinger Ratcliff, Executive Director
Industrial Extension Service is the arm of North Carolina State University that supports North Carolina business in the workplace – in the office, on the factory floor or in the hospital. They help companies stay abreast of the latest technologies and best practices in both engineering and business management.

Rural Policy Research Institute Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
Deborah Markley, Managing Director and Director of Research
The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) provides unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing rural America. RUPRI’s aim is to spur public dialogue and help policymakers understand the rural impacts of public policies and programs.

"Small Towns, Big Ideas" (UNC School of Government)
William Lambe, Director, Community & Economic Development Program
The Small Towns, Big Ideas project began in mid-2006, when the UNC School of Government partnered with the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center to identify and document fifty small towns that were implementing successful or innovative approaches to community economic development.

 

PHASE I Resources

Preserving Coastal Traditions

Ocracoke Village.com
Brought to you by the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, the official site of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, provides an island calendar of events, history, weather and safety information, as well as links to accommodations, restaurants, and other community services.

Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association
A community-driven non-profit preserving our maritime heritage, this Web site features the OWWA's Fish House News, providing the latest in Ocrakoke Island's fishing news and community updates.

Revitalizing Small Towns

North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center
The Rural Center is North Carolina's leading resource for rural people and communities. The organization's Web site provides links to rural policy initiatives, capacity building programs, and other research and information tools.

Building Eco-Tourism

The Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco Center
The idea for Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center was born of the important work performed at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Breeding Center. Through its captive breeding programs, the Breeding Center has made significant contributions to the survival and expansion of many threatened species. Today, this Halifax County park offers a family-friendly outdoor experience with many of the world's rarest and most exotic birds.

Promoting Cultural Tourism

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
This proud band of the Cherokee invites you to journey back 11,000 years. Learn about their history from the Seven Clans to Sequoyah’s syllabary to John Ross, the greatest chief in Cherokee history to one of the greatest tragedies in history, The Trail of Tears. Marvel at how the Warriors of Anikituwha continue to perform across the country today. And much, much more!

Museum of the Cherokee Indian
"Welcome. I want to tell you a story, a very old story...". And so begins your trip through the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Totally renovated in 1998, the new museum tells the story of the Cherokee people using high-tech wizardry along with an extensive artifact collection.

Reviving the Craft Industry

HandMade in America
ased in the Blue Ridge Mountains, HandMade in America was founded in 1993 with a belief that economic revitalization wasn't necessarily tied to luring "modern" industry to the region but in making known the hidden heritage and craftspeople that are so vitally a part of Western North Carolina.

Civic Practices Network
Civic Practices Network (CPN) is a collaborative and nonpartisan project bringing together a diverse array of organizations and perspectives within the civic renewal movement.

U.S. Census Bureau
Using the web-based tool, you can select tabulations for various levels of geography based on residence or workplace. The data estimates available present information for various occupation groupings by race and ethnicity and sex.

City of Asheville
The City of Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina and the county seat of Buncombe County. The city is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its natural beauty. Asheville serves as the regional hub for business, health and human services, the arts, shopping, dining and other community amenities for citizens and visitors.

Preserving Jobs with Military Contracts

North Carolina Department of Commerce
The official website for the North Carolina Department of Commerce provides the recommended starting points necessary for developing a business in the Tar Heel State.

North Carolina's Eastern Region
North Carolina's Eastern Region Development Commission is the economic development agency for a 13-county region. The Commission offers confidential site location assistance and information to companies considering the Eastern Region for a business location or expansion.

The NC Military Business Center
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) is a business development entity of the North Carolina Community College System, headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). The mission of the NCMBC is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities for economic development and quality of life in North Carolina.

The NC Military Foundation
The North Carolina Military Foundation is growing the state's defense and homeland security economy by: generating new jobs and investment in North Carolina from defense and homeland security industry companies and organizations; convening government, business and academic leaders with the businesses and organizations that have the potential to invest in the state; seeking and creating traditional and non-traditional defense and homeland security industry growth opportunities; and connecting North Carolina businesses that are seeking employees with North Carolina-based military personnel who are entering the civilian workforce.

Empowering Students with Laptop Computers

Wilson County Schools
The official website of the Wilson County school district in North Carolina

Wilson Economic Development Council
It is the mission of the Wilson Economic Development Council to attract, retain and facilitate the expansion of high quality business and industry resulting in an increased tax base and new jobs for Wilson County. Furthermore, the Wilson Economic Development Council will continuously supply products that ensure Wilson is competitive in a global market and provide innovative and comprehensive services that specifically address our clients' needs.

County of Wilson North Carolina
The official website for Wilson County, NC

Training a Skilled Workforce

Tri-County Community College
The official website for Tri-County Community College which offers a program in advanced machining skills and technology.

Town of Murphy, NC
Official website for the town of Murphy with links to the town's history, town government, and upcoming news and events in the area.

Luring Business with Venture Funds

Pacific Seacraft
"We believe the boat shouldn’t just get you to your next port of call. The journey itself should be one of the real pleasures of the cruise. With that in mind we hand-craft each of our boats to reflect our commitment to quality and to your safety and comfort."

City of Washington, North Carolina Website
Our city of approximately 10,000 residents is located in northeastern North Carolina on the beautiful Pamlico River. We are proud to have been the first city in America to be named for General George Washington, the future first president of the United States. Find out about tourism, industry and upcoming events in Washington, NC.

Beaufort County Website
Beaufort County Economic Development Commission website where you can find information about economic developement efforts in the county as well as businesses in the area.