On the first large-scale test of IDAs – http://add.cfed.org/ You can search results, data, and perspectives by group – individual families, private partners, community leaders, and policymakers.  About 14% of the accountholders involved in the study were from rural communities, but the data does not … Read more

Residents of Lenoir County gathered last night for the 4th meeting of the Golden LEAF Community Assistance Initiative (CAI). The group divided into breakout rooms to establish outcome measures within each of the county’s priority areas: (1) Economic Development and Infrastructure, (2) Education and … Read more

North Carolina local governments frequently use cash grants as an economic development incentive to lure businesses into their respective jurisdictions. The grants are authorized under the Local Development Act, G.S. 158-7.1 et seq., but a quick read of the statutes might obscure the need for a publ … Read more

Here is an article from The Nation about an interesting program in Mileston, Holmes County, MS, the poorest county in the poorest state in the country.  It is a program that combines farming, farmer’s markets, government entitlement programs, health, youth programming, and education.