Topics Related to Community

North Carolina Highlights Innovations to Attract Companies, including Amazon, to Be its Next First

Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today an initiative to attract business by highlighting the world-class, inventive, and forward-thinking nature of North Carolinians through the NC Next Firsts campaign. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the state’s public-private economic development organization, are implementing the effort. 

North Carolina Communities Receive National Main Street Accreditation For 2017

The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center announced today that 39 North Carolina communities have achieved accreditation from the National Main Street Center® for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center, ® a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Grants for Hurricane Matthew Recovery Projects Awarded to North Carolina Communities

A new series of state grants will help improve drainage, repair sewer systems, and replace waterlines in several communities hit hard by Hurricane Matthew, the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced today.

The grants are part of $10.25 million in funding provided by the state legislature to N.C. Commerce to address rural economic development and small business needs following the storm and its historic floods. These recovery grants are a small part of a larger effort to help hurricane-affected communities recover and rebuild.

Napoleon Wallace Joins Commerce Team To Lead Rural Economic Development

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has appointed Napoleon Wallace, a finance and community development executive, as the department’s Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development.

Mr. Wallace will spearhead the department’s support for North Carolina’s rural communities, leading a team of specialists that help communities make the necessary preparations and infrastructure investments to attract business and economic growth.

N.C. Main Street Champions Honored

Main Street Champions, individuals who work and advocate for downtown revitalization across the state were recognized for their commitment this morning at an awards ceremony breakfast in Shelby. Thirty-six individuals received honors for their contributions in 2016.

“Downtown districts are important economic engines in our state,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. “The men and women we’re recognizing today are the people who keep those engines running, generating prosperity for communities all across North Carolina.”

2016 NC Main Street Award Winners Announced

Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland and Executive Director of Economic Development Susan Fleetwood presented awards last evening to 15 North Carolina Main Street program participants. The N.C. Main Street Awards Ceremony, held at the Don Gibson Theatre, recognized excellence in downtown revitalization in several categories including promotion, organization, design and economic vitality.

Downtown Revitalization Strategies To Be Highlighted at N.C. Main Street Conference

The state’s largest conference focused on bringing new vitality to downtown business districts will open in Shelby tomorrow (March 14). The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center organizes and hosts the annual conference, which this year is expected to draw more than 500 participants.

After Ten Days And Teamwork, The North Carolina House Will Stand At The Fairgrounds

, N.C. –State employees from N.C. Commerce, N.C. Health and Human Services, and N.C. Revenue will team up to build a Habitat for Humanity home at the North Carolina State Fair in just ten days from start to finish. After the whirlwind construction phase, the home will be moved to a neighborhood in east Raleigh.The state government agencies are partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County to build The North Carolina House. The home will showcase North Carolina materials and craftsmanship, along with the 'can-do' spirit of the state employees who are volunteering.

Town of Troy Earns 'Main Street Community' Status

The Town of Troy recently joined the ranks of ‘North Carolina Main Street Communities,’ a designation municipalities earn by demonstrating a series of commitments to restore economic vitality to historic downtown districts.  The designation was announced today by the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center, a unit of the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

N.C. Commerce Is Now Accepting Applications for a New Downtown Free Public Wi-Fi Access Pilot Grant

, N.C.-- North Carolina Commerce is now accepting applications for the Downtown Free Public Wi-Fi Access Pilot Grant Program. Eligible applicants could receive financial resources to expand and enhance free, public Wi-Fi access in downtown business districts throughout western North Carolina. Investments will range from $10,000 to $50,000 dollars. The program seeks to enable communities to create vibrant main streets that allow both visitors and businesses to be digitally connected. The deadline for applications is July 29, 2016.