School of Government Recognized for Service by Statewide Association

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) honored the UNC School of Government with their Distinguished Service Award.

Leadership Education Is Critical For Surry County Official

Since becoming a Surry County commissioner, Larry Phillips has moved through the Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA) and completed Advanced Leadership Corps (ALC).

Citizens Academies and Developing Community Capital

Citizens academies are educational programs conducted by local governments to create better informed and engaged citizens. These programs involve ordinary citizens participating in several sessions taught by local government officials.

Citizens Academies and Background Checks

Should applicants to citizens academies be subjected to some kind of background check before being allowed to participate?

Bipartisanship Solves Versus Divides Our Nation

Today’s political environment is intensely polarized along partisan lines.

Creating a Culture of Civility

Civility is critical for sustaining the democratic principle that we are all entitled to hold and express our opinions.

The Path to Improving Civic Engagement

More can be done to bring people into the civic conversation. It's good for governments, communities and our civic process.

The Hard Work of Restoring Trust in Government

Countering the public's cynicism and mistrust starts with honest, open communication.

Community participation key to Bertie County’s new economic development plan

This 18-month, multi-faceted plan was a joint effort between the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and Bertie County community members.

NC Local Governments, Meet Your New State Partner for Economic Development

SL 2014-18 authorizes the N.C. Department of Commerce to enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity in order to carry out many of the Department's economic development recruiting and marketing functions for the state.

Moody's Predicts Huge Potential for Public-Private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships are still relatively new for most U.S. states, but analysts anticipate they will become more common.

Economic Gardening Is Growing, But What Is It?

Instead of trying to lure big companies with tax incentives, more and more places are trying to increase the number of local businesses to boost their economies.

Program aims to bridge gap in manufacturing jobs

Hillsborough County, Fla., is investing $1 million over two years to create an apprenticeship program that officials hope will spur some parents and students to rethink their career plans.

Dr. Mike Walden: Should we revive apprenticeships?

In North Carolina, there are only 5,700 active apprentices in 2013. In contrast, apprenticeship programs in some European countries have been on the rise and are considered a fundamental component of their worker training system.

When may NC Local Governments pay an economic development incentive?

News outlets regularly report about the latest company lured to North Carolina by a cash economic development incentives from local government and the state. Local government incentives often take the form of an annual payment based on several conditions.

Did the NC Supreme Court put cash economic development incentives in jeopardy?

Many local governments use cash incentives to attract business but there is no specific statute that grants this authority, only an implied authority in GS 158-7.1(a). What happens if the NC Supreme Court is reluctant to agree with this implied authority?

Public Hearings (or not) for Economic Development Expenditures?

A town’s economic development director has proposed two ED expenditures for town council to consider. She asserts that no public hearing is required for either of these expenditures. The town attorney says a public hearing is needed for both. Who's right?

How does Government Size Impact the Economy?

Perhaps few topics can start a verbal clash more than the debate over government size and the economy.

Can Growth Solve our Economic Problems?

Is boosting the economic growth rate one of the keys to solving many of the state's problems?

Special Assessments for Economic Development Projects

Tonald Drump, a national real estate tycoon, is interested in developing an area in Frugal Village, NC. His proposal includes mixed-use residential and commercial development, located just outside downtown.

You’ve Won Your Election – Time for Ethics Training!

Elections are over, TV ads are back to normal, and mail boxes are no longer full of campaign flyers. Among the duties required of newly elected and reelected local government officials is that they participate in mandatory ethics training.

Is America Talking About Opioids the Wrong Way?

The current drug crisis is different from previous ones. Some say it requires a new mode of thinking.

'Giving Help and Not Asking for It': Inside the Mental Health of First Responders

Human tragedy comes with the badge -- but help dealing with it often doesn't.

‘Stepping Up’ stakeholders step back to review progress

County officials and other stakeholders gathered May 31 in Washington to look back at the successes and continued challenges of the two-year-old Stepping Up program, a collaborative effort to keep the mentally ill out of county jails.