Bladen County in North Carolina is seeking public input through an online survey to harness the economic potential of its outdoor recreation assets. The initiative is part of the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economy (CORE) program, which aims to boost local economic vitality in rural communities. The county is known for its Carolina Bays, trails, parks, and public lands that attract visitors year-round. The program will examine the businesses and services needed to support these visitors and residents, while also enhancing the local economy and ensuring sustainability. Outdoor recreation is a significant economic driver in North Carolina, contributing over $11.8 billion to the state's GDP in 2021 and generating over 130,000 jobs. The CORE program, supported by a $6 million grant, will develop plans for Bladen County and White Lake. The initiative is a collaboration between the Bladen County Economic Development team, Bladens Bloomin Agri-Business, and the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
A report reveals that investing in rural areas can improve essential resources for the people living there. The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust launched the Healthy Places North Carolina initiative in 2012, allocating $100 million to 10 rural counties. The aim was to improve resource accessibility, and after a decade, their impact report reveals significant progress in areas such as healthy food, recreation, and health-care resources. The report emphasizes the importance of community-driven solutions and collaboration with residents. Nearly 600 grants were distributed to 61 local organizations in eastern and central North Carolina, making a difference in addiction recovery, health-care access, and other areas. The West Marion Community Forum, a Black-led nonprofit in McDowell County, played a pivotal role in creating initiatives such as free public transportation, a community garden, and improved snow removal. The report suggests that funders should address unequal access to financial and capacity building resources by offering more targeted support to historically underfunded or excluded groups. [8f50996e] [993810a1]
Campbell County in Wyoming is one of seven communities in the country to enroll in the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) initiative, which aims to strengthen economies that rely on coal. The program provides training, support, and coaching to local leaders to help them navigate economic changes and plan for the future. Campbell County Commissioner Jim Ford believes that while the coal industry may face challenges, the county has the capacity to transition to other industries such as wind, solar, or nuclear. The goal is to prevent decline and continue the county's upward growth trajectory. The BRECC challenge will result in a living document that will be continually updated based on changing realities. [a1817cea]