Health care deserts are expanding across rural parts of the U.S., but communities in NC have taken bold steps to bridge critical gaps. By developing grassroots solutions, they’re creating sustainable models for health care access. These include a dental … Read more

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Water systems require extensive infrastructure, which is highly capital-intensive to build and maintain. Regional utilities are able to leverage economies of scale, drawing from a larger population (and therefore revenue pool) to support capital-intensive water systems.

Access to efficient, healthy water and wastewater services is a significant problem for historically disadvantaged communities, both in North Carolina and nationally. The North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure exists to improve access to efficient, healthy water and wastewater services for rural communities. The Division was created in 2013 to bring all water infrastructure funding programs together, providing support to get water utilities on firmer footing, making them more logistically and financially sustainable. When small communities struggle to provide services to residents, the Division often encourages combining into regions for long-term success.