Welcome to the Publications Catalog. Here you'll find a range of newsletters, fact sheets and reports that focus on rural trends and issues, as well as on the work of the Rural Center.
Most are available for downloading in PDF format, a file format that can be read in Adobe Acrobat. (Download free copy of Acrobat Reader.) To order print copies, please print out and complete our order form and submit it with your check.
Recent Releases
Overflowing with charts, graphs and statistics on the top economic and social trends affecting rural North Carolina, the Profile is a must for anyone seeking to improve rural life in our state. Print copy, $10. Download PDF, free.
After decades of decline, manufacturing is showing signs of renewal. This report cites growing reasons for optimism about the future of manufacturing, calls for establishment of the North Carolina Manufacturing Council and provides new insights to guide the work of policy makers and economic developers. Print copy, $10. Download PDF free.
The Rural Center's Building Reuse and Restoration Grants Program helps rural communities maximize the economic potential of existing structures. Since the program was launched in 2004, it has assisted 310 building project through $52 million grants. These projects have leveraged $732 million in additional investments, put 390 businesses into project buildings and created more than 8,000 jobs. Includes 16 examples of successful projects, ranging from manufacturing expansions to health care and retail stores. Print copy, $10. Download PDF free. Young and Rural: A snapshot of Rural North Carolina's New Generation (2011) In many rural counties, the dwindling number of young people has created crisis proportions. In 16 rural counties, the young adult population has declined by more than 20 percent since 1990. This report documents the disturbing trend, the forces driving it and the results of a survey of more than 15,000 middle and high school students. Out of print. Download PDF, free.
This book includes information that can lead to grant, scholarship, volunteer and networking opportunities. The guide concentrates on nonprofit and governmental resources to engage youth in a meaningful way. Print copy, $15. The content also has been made part of the free, online Rural Resource Guide.
This guidebook is designed to help small business owners begin to think about practical, low-cost steps to waste not, want not and profit more. Download PDF, free.
Living on the Margins series  Rural North Carolina in the Aftermath of the Great Recession (2011) This report highlights compelling data on the challenges for those living in poverty and near-poverty, including long-term trends and the effects of the recession. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.
Asset-Building Strategies for Low-Income Families (2011) More than 30 projects with potential for implementation in rural communities. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.
A Guidebook for Connecting Individuals to Opportunity (2011) This workbook guides community groups seeking to connect low-income individuals with economic development opportunties. It will be most effective if the process is led by a trained facilitator. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.
Special offer in print: Living on the Margins, 3 publication series, $25
This four-part report examines the potential for homegrown philanthropy to become a significant tool for community and economic development. It includes: 1) an overview rural philanthropy and community foundations, 2) an examination, county by county, of the likely intergenerational transfer of wealth in rural counties and prospects for capturing some of that wealth for community use, 3) profiles of successful rural philanthropy initiatives and 4) a directory of rural philanthropy resources. 53 pages. Print, $10. Download PDF. Free.  Small Towns Action Agenda: Priority Recommendations from the Small Towns Action Council (2009)This 17-point plan recommends steps to help small towns bolster their fiscal capacity and build their economies. The recommendations stem from more than three years of work by the Small Towns Action Council, whose members include public officials and representatives of nonprofits and educational institutions. 30 pages. Print, $10. Download PDF, free.
 North Carolina’s Equine Industry: Findings and Recommendations (2009)This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of a study authorized by the N.C. General Assembly to determine the equine industry's economic impact and to identify opportunities for growth. Among the findings: the industry contributes nearly $2 billion to the state’s economy annually. 18 pages. Out of print. Download PDF, free.
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 Rural RoutesRural Routes, the newsletter of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, is not currently being published. You may download past issues from our archives (PDF format, typical file size less than 3MB). Get Rural Center news as it’s announcedThe Rural Center wants to provide you with information about center research and programs as soon as it’s available. To stay abreast of developments, sign up for The Rural Partners Update and alerts sent straight to your e-mail address, follow us on Twitter, or sign up for our RSS feed. |
North Carolina Rural Profile (2013)
Our Manufacturing Future: Toward a More Prosperous Rural Future (2013)
New Life, New Purpose: Creating Economic Advantage through Building Reuse and Restoration (2012)
North Carolina Youth Engagement Resource Guide (2011)
Waste Not, Want Not, Profit More (2011)
North Carolina Rural Resource Guide (2010) 
Funding Our Rural Future: Creating vibrant communities through homegrown philanthropy (2010) 
Small Towns, Big Ideas: Case Studies in Small Town Community Economic Development (2009)
North Carolina Agriculture: Regional Perspectives (2009)