Topics Related to Community

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.

Laurinburg & Reidsville Named Official Retirement Communities

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Commerce announced today that Laurinburg and Reidsville are officially designated N.C. Certified Retirement Communities.

“North Carolina is a great place to retire and now the cities of Laurinburg and Reidsville have a valuable economic development tool in being named a Certified Retirement Community,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla III. “Retirees can enjoy active productive lives from our mountains to our coast and we recognize the valuable contributions that retirees can make to our communities.”

Initial Class of Downtown Associate Community Participants Chosen

, N.C. -- The North Carolina Main Street Center has selected four municipalities to participate in its new Downtown Associate Community program.  The Town of Aberdeen, the Village of Chimney Rock, the Town of Elon and the City of Laurinburg will take part in the three-year program, which offers training, networking and technical expertise to communities with populations of fewer than 50,000. 

Telecommunications Carriers Extending Broadband to Underserved North Carolina Communities

North Carolina consumers in less populated areas will receive quicker broadband service thanks, in part, to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Connect America Fund (CAF) and participation from four broadband service provider partners. 

Small Town Main Street Communities Gain Main Street Status

igh, N.C. --   Nearly a dozen Small Town Main Street communities have now achieved Main Street status.  Those communities are Ayden, Benson, Bessemer City, Cherryville, Elizabethtown, Tryon, Valdese, Waxhaw and Williamston.  These cities and towns have fulfilled the requirements necessary to achieve this designation such as hiring a permanent Main Street director and organizing their downtown revitalization work in accordance with the Main Street Four-Point® program.