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A Message From Our
President & CEO Patrick Woodie
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As a busy and eventful 2023 draws to a close, the board and staff of the NC Rural Center sends our warmest regards and wishes to all our rural partners and friends wishing you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, gratitude, and the spirit of community. Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support, and spirit of collaboration. Happy holidays to all of you, and we look forward to our work in 2024.
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Welcome to New Board Members
Carl “Phil” Marion Jr. has been elected chair of the board of directors for the NC Rural Center for the coming year.
He is joined on the executive committee of the board by Sara Chester, vice chair; Yolanda Taylor, secretary; Paula Benson, treasurer; and Mike Hawkins, at-large member. Andy Anderson, chair of the board for Rural Center subsidiary Thread Capital, is an ex officio member of the executive committee. Each of them has previously served on the board of the Rural Center.
Zachary Barricklow, Anne Faircloth and Randy Gore were each newly elected to three-year terms.
Brenda Berg concluded her six years of service on the board. Outgoing board chair Nelle Hotchkiss was elected chair emeritus.
“I want to express the profound gratitude of the Rural Center's board and staff for the outstanding leadership contributions made to the Center and to rural North Carolina by our outgoing board members Nelle Hotchkiss and Brenda Berg,” said Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the NC Rural Center. “While their service on our board has concluded, their importance and relevance to our work remains stronger than ever, and I know that both of them will continue to be vital strategic partners in our mission to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians and the communities they call home. I look forward with great anticipation to working with our three outstanding new board members as we look ahead to the great things we will do in 2024.”
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Rural Center Board Member Spotlight
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Phil Marion, the new chair of the NC Rural Center board of directors, has spent a lot of time over the years helping people get ahead through education, businesses, or charities.
"I've had a lifelong commitment to helping others reach new highs and enriching the lives of others, and I want to continue to do that in my role as chairman," said Marion, who was elected to succeed previous chair Nelle Hotchkiss at the board's December meeting.
Marion retired from the banking industry in 2021 after a 41-year career, much of it in southeastern North Carolina. He currently leads Ai0 Advisory, LLC, in the areas of financial consulting, strategic advisory, and economic outlook.
His volunteer history is extensive: Trustee of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington; board of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce; executive board of the Cape Fear Council of the Boy Scouts and campaign chair and chairman of the United Way of Robeson County and the Cape Fear Area United Way. There are many other roles, as well, in service to his community.
Marion is from Greensboro but has made Wilmington his home since 2000. He joined the Rural Center board in 2018, he said, because he said its mission to improve the quality of life for the state and its rural people "aligns well with his personal core values." He served as treasurer from 2020-22 and as vice chair last year.
Marion, a graduate of East Carolina University and the School of Banking at Louisiana State University, believes rural North Carolina has two big challenges that he wants the Center to address in his time as chair.
"I believe number one is education," he said. "Number two is housing, and I'm just hoping the Rural Center will embrace these needs and initiate some (programs) to enrich the lives of those in rural North Carolina."
| Congratulations to 2023 REDI Graduates |  | |
The 2023 Class of the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the NC Rural Center’s flagship leadership development program, graduated on Dec. 14.
The three-month intensive training program equips existing and emerging leaders with the tools they need to tackle economic and community development issues facing rural North Carolina.
Dawn Daly-Mack, a nurse and minister from Gaston who graduated from the Center's Homegrown Leaders program, delivered the commencement address to the program’s 26 graduates.
“As graduates of REDI, you now possess a unique set of skills and experiences that will
undoubtedly shape the future of your communities,” Daly-Mack said. “Amid vast landscapes
and tight-knit communities, you have come together to cultivate your leadership abilities,
demonstrating a commitment to making a difference in the rural areas we all call home.
“Rural leadership is not about holding a title or position of authority. It is about understanding
the needs of your community, embracing the diversity therein, and empowering those around
you.”
Now in its 32nd year, REDI has trained more than 1,100 leaders across the state and its extensive alumni network spans all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Many of the Center’s leadership alumni are active in
state and local government and in philanthropic, nonprofit, and small-business sectors, as well
as in faith and community-based organizations.
"We had an amazing REDI class this year made up of a diverse group representing 18 North Carolina counties,” said Olaunda Green, director of leadership training for the NC Rural Center and a 2022 REDI graduate. “Something magical happens over the nine days of REDI. Participants come, they grow, and then return to their rural communities to lead even more effectively."
Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the Rural Center and also a 1995 REDI graduate, encouraged the graduates to return home looking to build bridges.
"Rural North Carolina needs leaders like you willing to look at challenges in a new
way, and we know you have many successes ahead of you."
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Scholarship Fund
Every year, we raise funds to provide scholarships to rural leaders so they can participate in the NC Rural Center’s leadership development programs. With your support, leaders from across North Carolina can take part in our Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) and Homegrown Leaders (HGL) at a reduced cost.
By making a gift to the NC Rural Center's Scholarship Fund, you have the opportunity to support future generations of rural leaders.
This year, 40 percent of our leadership training participants from 39 counties received a full or partial scholarship. Almost half of our 2023 participants were people of color, and more than half were women. In 2024, we hope to increase our class size and the scholarships available to those who request assistance. Your gift will make this possible.
We hope you will consider helping us reach our goal of $15,000 by making a gift of $25 or more by Dec. 31.
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UPDATES FROM THE RURAL CENTER | |
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Rural Center Leadership Alumni Spotlight
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Name: Marshall Cherry
Job: President and CEO, Roanoke Cooperative
Where do you live: Pitt County
Where were you born: Bertie County
Leadership Class: REDI XVII, 2007
In your opinion, what are the greatest assets of rural NC?
The natural beauty of these counties. Many are blessed with scenic landscapes, including fertile farmland, and picturesque rivers such as the Roanoke and the Chowan rivers, which offer opportunities for outdoor activities. In addition, the cultural diversity of counties influenced by Native American, African American, and European heritage. Events like Northampton County's Juneteenth celebrations or Gates County's cultural festivals showcase this rich cultural tapestry.
In your opinion, what are the biggest community economic development challenges facing your community?
These counties often grapple with limited job opportunities, especially in rural areas. Creating and sustaining employment options beyond traditional industries like agriculture can be challenging, leading to outmigration of younger populations seeking better economic prospects elsewhere. Also, persistent poverty rates and socioeconomic disparities are prevalent in these counties. Access to quality education, healthcare, and essential services might be limited, impacting the overall well-being and opportunities for residents.
For the full interview, click here.
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Rural Road Trip: Small Business Edition
We are excited to announce the Rural Road Trip: Small Business Edition event, a collaborative effort sponsored by the NC Rural Center; its subsidiaries Thread Capital and CornerSquare Community Capital; and our State Small Business Credit Initiative. The series starts at Elizabeth City State University on Jan. 19 at the K.E. White Graduate Center in partnership with the Small Business and Technology Development Center of Elizabeth City and the Outer Banks.
Other meetings are scheduled for Asheville, Thomasville, Wadesboro, Troy, Morehead City, and Warrenton. The main objective of the Rural Road Trip: Small Business Edition is to bring together business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business support organizations (BSOs) from across the state. These organizations, including small business counselors, incubators, accelerators and legal and financial services, will network, share resources, and collaborate on initiatives to support entrepreneurs.
Register here.
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Commerce Tier Rankings
The N.C. Department of Commerce released its updated rankings of county economic development tiers. Eight counties - all designated as rural - changed tiers in the new ranking.
The tier rankings help shape state economic development funding opportunities. The 20 least-distressed counties are designated Tier 3 counties. The next 40 least-distressed counties are Tier 2 counties. The 40 most-distressed counties are Tier 1 counties.
Distress ratings are determined using average unemployment rate, median household income, population growth by percentage, and adjusted property tax base per capita.
Burke, Davie, Randolph, and Surry counties moved to less distressed tiers. Avery, Beaufort, Gates, and Pasquotank are now considered more distressed.
Learn more.
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Digital Equity Plan
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has released its draft North Carolina Digital Equity Plan. The plan addresses high-speed internet affordability, device access, and digital literacy for all North Carolinians over the next five years.
You can review the draft plan and email comments to digita...@nc.gov until noon, Jan. 2.
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Call for Poster Submissions
Do you have a story to share about a promising initiative to improve economic and community development outcomes in your community? You’re invited to submit a proposal to present a poster at the 2024 Investing in Rural America Conference May 21-22, 2024, in Roanoke, Va. The conference poster session will feature a variety of community-driven programs that have helped build and sustain momentum to leverage economic opportunities in rural areas.
Presenting a poster is a chance for you to:share your approaches and lessons learned so that other rural communities can benefit from your experience;
- network with other leaders throughout the full two-day conference; and
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potentially have your community initiative featured after the conference in the Richmond Fed’s Rural Spotlight series!
The objective of the poster session is to spotlight community initiatives that build and sustain momentum. This can include education and training programs; initiatives designed to increase access to child care, health care, human services, housing, transportation, or broadband; and programs designed to expand credit access to individuals and small businesses. We are particularly interested in spotlighting programs that leverage community assets and that create space for residents and communities to thrive.
Learn more.
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ECSU to Host Concert Honoring Drummer Max Roach
Elizabeth City State University is hosting the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on Jan. 24 at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center in Elizabeth City.
The event will honor the centennial birthday of influential jazz drummer Max Roach, a Pasquotank County native who used his music to address social and political issues of his time.
Click below to learn more about how to buy tickets or sponsor the event.
Learn more.
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Governor's Volunteer Service Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
The awards program, created by the Office of the Governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina’s most dedicated volunteers. Thousands of North Carolinian have received the award for their service.
Learn more.
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