North Carolina

Of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 80 are considered rural or rural in character, depending on the definition of rural and data sets consulted.

In these communities, more than 70 percent of businesses are considered very small, with less than 10 employees each. Since 2000 manufacturing jobs have decreased and income levels have been stagnant, with significantly lower median household incomes for people of color in rural areas.

As the rural population ages, so have the water and wastewater infrastructure and housing stock. In addition, higher numbers of lower-income renters and homeowners are spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.

The Rural Partners Network is working in five North Carolina community networks that encompass fourteen rural counties. While each community network is unique, they share opportunities to grow their economies and quality of life through focused improvements and investments in water and wastewater systems; increased access to small business capital; downtown redevelopment; and affordable, updated housing across the board and especially for low-and very-low-income families.

The Rural Partners Network and our many agency and philanthropic partners support the community leaders, business and industry, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and many other key sectors of rural North Carolina - including the Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, and Waccamaw Siouan Tribes – to empower local people define their quality of life and create the future they envision. Of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 80 are considered rural or rural in character, depending on the definition of rural and data sets consulted.

In these communities, more than 70 percent of businesses are considered very small, with less than 10 employees each. Since 2000 manufacturing jobs have decreased and income levels have been stagnant, with significantly lower median household incomes for people of color in rural areas.

As the rural population ages, so have the water and wastewater infrastructure and housing stock. In addition, higher numbers of lower-income renters and homeowners are spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.

The Rural Partners Network is working in five North Carolina community networks that encompass fourteen rural counties. While each community network is unique, they share opportunities to grow their economies and quality of life through focused improvements and investments in water and wastewater systems; increased access to small business capital; downtown redevelopment; and affordable, updated housing across the board and especially for low-and very-low-income families.

The Rural Partners Network and our many agency and philanthropic partners support the community leaders, business and industry, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and many other key sectors of rural North Carolina - including the Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, and Waccamaw Siouan Tribes – to empower local people define their quality of life and create the future they envision.