NC Rural Opportunities

North Carolina’s working poor and the communities they live in face many challenges to moving out of poverty. Geographic isolation is a challenge in many rural areas, where communities are cut off from main transportation routes and are overlooked by decision makers who focus on larger areas. This isolation also includes more limited access to technology, services, and infrastructure. Rural areas have limited funding, leading to problems attracting new businesses to replace the declining industries, high teacher turnover leading to lower performance among students, and more restricted ability to provide services for their people to overcome barriers. In many areas, a history of racial and economic division has led to fractured communities who distrust each other and the surrounding communities. These challenges exacerbate the main challenge which haunts the workers of North Carolina – the loss of traditional industries. The way of life in North Carolina is radically changing, and the attempts to adjust to the new way of life are coming slowly.

These challenges point the way to great opportunities, however, if we have the strength to grab them. Communities are trying to pull together all over North Carolina to overcome differences and partner in maintaining their sustainability and that of their members. Nonprofits have the opportunity to band together and share information and resources to expand their influence and mission beyond their own local area. North Carolina’s economic focus has shifted to technology and tourism, leading to a potentially better off population in the future than what the present generations or those before have experienced. The people of North Carolina are tapping into their creativity and independent spirit to build their own small business and help others do the same. Throughout North Carolina, there is a shared understanding that the economic future of the state’s people depends on change - on preparation for the transitioning economy, on support for the workers caught in the birthing pains of the new way of life, and on policy changes to accommodate the changing face of the workforce.

Comments (0) 18.03.2009. 01:48