Amid a drive to bolster North Carolina’s rural communities, Governor Josh Stein has launched a series of listening sessions across the state. The initiative aims to gather insights from local leaders and residents, focusing on ways to enhance community development. In a recent visit to Marion, Stein engaged with business proprietors, including those at Flavors on Main, to understand their unique challenges and experiences.
Understanding Rural North Carolina
North Carolina, with its vast rural population of over 3.5 million, ranks as the second-largest in the nation. Governor Stein emphasized the importance of equitable opportunities, stating, “We have more work to do to expand opportunity to every corner of the state because if you work hard, where you come from should never limit how far you can go.” The administration’s strategy involves a comprehensive government approach to rural development in various sectors.
Enhancing Health Care Access
To improve health care in rural areas, Governor Stein, alongside the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, secured $213 million from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This funding is set to support over 400 rural health facilities and bolster the local health care workforce. Additionally, Stein addressed opioid addiction treatment during a roundtable in Clay County, highlighting the use of settlement funds for recovery initiatives.
Economic Growth and Development
Last year, investments totaling over $12.5 billion led to nearly 5,000 new jobs in rural North Carolina. Recognized by Business Facilities Magazine as the “2025 State of the Year,” the state has focused on preparing industrial sites for development. Furthermore, rural communities were awarded $136 million through state grant programs, facilitating economic growth through infrastructure and business development.
Infrastructure Advancements
Efforts to upgrade water infrastructure received a boost with $472 million allocated for projects across 66 counties. These funds aim to ensure resilient and efficient water systems. Additionally, the approval of a plan to expand high-speed internet, with $300 million designated through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, focuses on connecting rural homes and communities.
To learn more about the ongoing rural initiatives, visit this link.
For a detailed overview of investments across North Carolina’s counties, visit 100 Counties Strong.
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