Funding sources to capitalize revolving loan funds is the fourth topic in a series on tools local governments can use to assist small businesses. As discussed in Part II of this blog post series, local governments across North Carolina are using revolving loan funds to support their small businesses … Read more

State policymakers are considering a major reform of the tax code in North Carolina that could include a reduction in the corporate income tax rate.  One rationale for doing so is the sense that the state’s competitiveness for economic development is being hampered by a corporate income tax rate tha … Read more

Policymakers in Raleigh are grappling with how best to enhance North Carolina’s prospects for achieving higher levels of economic growth and prosperity.  This has resulted in a renewed focus on the state’s competitiveness as a location for jobs and private investment.  Much of the current policy dis … Read more

Pickled bamboo shoots, gourmet jams, and unpasteurized tea are just a few of the products coming out of Blue Ridge Food Ventures, a value-added food production and manufacturing facility based on Asheville, North Carolina. BRFV is an 11,000 square foot facility with a shared-use commercial kitchen, … Read more

My last post highlighted the potential of promoting entrepreneurship and small business assistance as an economic development strategy.  In order to provide appropriate support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it is important for public officials and local assistance organizations to understa … Read more

As the U.S. economy struggles to build and sustain momentum in the aftermath of the Great Recession, one strategy that warrants greater attention by policymakers is entrepreneurship development.  As discussed in a previous post, there is some debate about the extent to which new, small firms drive j … Read more

This is the first post in a series that will profile examples of how local food systems can be viewed as a component of an economic or community development strategy. Cabarrus County, NC — Local Food System Cabarrus County, NC is located 22 miles north of Charlotte. Given its urban proximity, the c … Read more

It is widely recognized that small firms with growth potential can be significant job creators in a local economy.  Yet, the role of local governments in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses is not always clear.  Small firms, particularly those with a high growth trajectory, have a variety … Read more

Access to affordable financing is a growing challenge for small businesses, particularly in low-income, rural, and underserved areas of the state. It is also true, however, that banks, credit unions, and intermediaries in these areas have capital to lend. How can we connect businesses in need of fin … Read more

Jonathan Morgan is a School of Government faculty member. This is the fourth post in a series that explores the critical question of what works in economic development? Previous posts have focused on business incubation and suburban revitalization.  For one analyst, the most obvious answer to the qu … Read more