Chatham & Stanly Counties Small farms have problems dealing with crop loss and other issues related to extreme weather events such as flooding and droughts. A recent report predicts that increases in extreme precipitation are likely to increase inland flooding, … Continued

  Forsyth & Wayne Counties A study finds 44% of U.S. workers are employed in low-wage jobs that pay median annual wages of $18,000, well below what’s considered the living wage for many communities. Most of the 53 million Americans … Continued

    Cumberland & Mecklenburg Counties The veteran unemployment rate has steadily dropped since its all-time high of nearly 12% in April 2020, but as of March 2021, the veteran unemployment rate is still at 4.6%. Veteran advocates say it … Continued

Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, Washington & Wilkes Counties The opioid epidemic has impacted communities across the country. Substance use can be especially hard to combat in rural communities due to limited resources for prevention, treatment and recovery. Meet local leaders … Continued

  Wake County Increased demand, limited supply, and the COVID-19 pandemic have created a perfect storm in the real estate market. This has shut many would-be homeowners out. There are few signs this hot housing boom will cool down anytime … Continued

Triangle & Triad regions Communities across the country are trying to attract companies to invest and create jobs. Economic development is a critical component that drives growth in our economy, creating high wage jobs and improved quality of life. ncIMPACT … Continued

Columbus & Lee Counties The COVID-19 pandemic has been full of uncertainty and stress. Children are among the most impacted with distance learning and isolation, and experts say there’s reason to believe traumatic stress for children is on the rise.

Buncombe & Forsyth Counties Nearly 90% of adults aged 65 and over want to stay in their current home and community as they age. However, experts say that there are many barriers that are preventing aging residents from aging in … Continued

  Cumberland, Hoke, Scotland, Richmond, Montgomery & Durham Counties Black mothers and babies are dying at disproportionate rates across the country. Numbers from the World Health Organization show that maternal mortality rates more than doubled in the US from 1990 … Continued

Gates & Henderson Counties Schools are grappling with the topic of school safety from a number of different angles, including increasing school mental health personnel and services, increasing security measures at schools, and decreasing incidents of bullying. ncIMPACT highlights the … Continued