North Carolina faces a significant housing inventory gap across all income levels and geographic regions, according to a statewide report commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation, NC REALTORS and the N.C. Homebuilders Association. #Infrastructure #Housing

Businesses in Western North Carolina are encouraged to respond to a survey on the impacts of Hurricane #Helene. The Economic Partnership of NC is conducting the assessment to help inform federal and state policy for relief and recovery. The survey: #WNC

NC has had 3.3 million birds affected by avian influenza in the past month, the third-most in the country, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The outbreak has led to egg and chicken shortages and higher prices across the country. #Agribusiness

Congratulations to Robeson County and Lumberton on landing 123 new jobs for a cold storage facility expected to support the regional agribusiness sector. Cold-Link Logistics is investing $85.5 million into the location. #InvestInRural #CelebrateRural #Jobs

Thanks to @DukeEndowment for investing $5 million into the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative to support small businesses hit by Hurricane #Helene. The initiative is also supported by @DogwoodWNC and western North Carolina CDFIs. #SmallBiz

The NC General Assembly is back and our Legislative Update has the latest on legislation influencing rural North Carolina. Read now about the debate over Hurricane #Helene relief and competing proposals from the governor and the House. #ncga #ncgov #WNC

From @EducationNC: @NCCommColleges has announced the launch of NC Community Colleges Boost – a new program designed to increase completion rates and move students into high-wage, high-demand careers. #Education #HigherEd #Workforce #SmallBiz

The NC Department of Transportation will host meetings through March to gather public comment about its latest statewide transportation plan. Speak up for road planning in your rural community and help shape the future of our state. #Infrastructure

A proposed plan to change how the US Postal Service operates could mean worse service for people in rural communities, with some possibly not getting first-class mail for up to six days, an oversight agency says. Read more here: #RuralCounts #InvestInRural

@NCCommerce will bring community and economic development leaders together in Mooresville for its annual Main Street conference to explore innovative strategies for downtown revitalization and economic development. For more: #SmallTowns #MainStreet

The deadline to apply for disaster unemployment assistance is this Friday. People unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane #Helene as well as business owners affected by the storm may qualify for benefits. For more information: #Resiliency #Employment

Thank you to Carolina Mountain Life for featuring the work of our Connect Church partner Elk Park UMC. The project - Avery Connect - helps high school students connect with employers and receive mentors who prepare them for working life. #Faith #WNC

Months after Hurricane #Helene disrupted the academic year for thousands of students and their families, enrollment is up at the UNC System’s three mountain universities. Read more about the return to campus here: #HigherEd #WNC #Resliency

From @AppVoices: Helene’s lingering toll on Appalachian businesses. According to FEMA , after a major disaster, approximately 43% of small businesses never reopen, while 29% more cease operations within two years. #Resiliency #WNC #Helene #SmallBiz

Congratulations to our friends in Mount Airy, Southern Pines and Tarboro on landing hundreds of new jobs and millions in investment from Amazon as part of its recent expansion in the state. #InvestInRural #EconomicDevelopment #ECommerce

The @NCArtsCouncil is awarding grants up to $15,000 to help arts organizations recovering from Hurricane #Helene. The application is due Friday and you can learn more here: For more disaster relief info: #Arts #Recovery #WNC

Join our friend Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution on his recent Reimagine Rural podcast as he examines what US rural policy could look like in the second Trump administration and how that could differ from the work of the past four years. #RuralCounts

The Toyota battery plant in Liberty is reportedly ramping up production, though it's still not clear when it will open. Town leaders say they're already starting to see some economic benefit, though. #EconomicDevelopment #InvestInRural

More than 50 speakers from across the state and nation are coming to #RuralSummit2025 to share what they know about "Securing our Rural Future." Every session will be tied to one of our four advocacy priorities. Come advocate with us.

The power of Latino entrepreneurship in #RaleighNC is strong this January as 25 attendees start their journey today. Thank you, @NCRuralCenter for hosting and helping @ProsperaUSA achieve its mission. #CORSmallBiz #NoLimitsRaleigh #WakeIsGreat