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Facts That Matter Blog

At the ncIMPACT Initiative, we ground our research in the challenges faced by North Carolina’s state and local leaders and their communities. Through compelling story telling, the Facts That Matter blog shares data and evidence about collaborative problem solving efforts that chart a path forward in communities across the state. We share these stories for the benefit of other communities in pursuit of our mission to improve the lives of North Carolinians.


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January 22, 2020

Opioid Response Project Team Focus: Cumberland County

The C-FORT team is working hard to become the creative and recovery-ready community they see as necessary to tackle the opioid epidemic.

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December 19, 2019

Broadband’s Impact on Economic Development: A Lack of Access to Social Capital

North Carolina residents with no or low access to quality broadband are missing out on important economic benefits of cultivating social capital through connections.

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December 17, 2019

Opioid Response Project Team Focus: Wilkes County

The ability to bring different community leaders together to discuss problems and solutions is invaluable.

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December 5, 2019

Shortage of Volunteer Firefighters

Did you know… Out of the 1,087 registered fire departments in North Carolina, more than 90% are volunteer or mostly volunteer departments? 

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November 15, 2019

Reentry from Incarceration to Workforce

Did you know… As many as 60% of North Carolinians with a criminal record remain unemployed within one year of being released?

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November 8, 2019

NC Strategic Economic Development Plan Post-Session Survey

Complete Post-Session Survey for Your Region by Nov. 15 to Inform the NC Strategic Economic Development Plan.

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October 28, 2019

Renewable Energy in Rural Communities

…or counties looking to bring renewable energy to their community will need to consider a variety of issues. First, the benefits of bringing renewable energy to your community, are that…

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October 23, 2019

Human Trafficking in the Triad

Addressing human trafficking in North Carolina is of the utmost importance. The best way to tackle an issue of this size is by bringing in a unique team to find solutions to the problem.

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October 18, 2019

Downtown Development in Kinston, NC

Kinston has relied on its networks to push downtown development forward. Public-private partnerships have created a downtown that many people are excited to move to, baby boomers and millennials alike.

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October 7, 2019

First Stop for Regional Sessions: Kannapolis

The regional sessions will be critical to creating the state’s new strategic economic development plan, which will guide policymakers and practitioners in their work to generate more economic prosperity to the state.

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