Join us online Feb. 8-10 for the 2022 Emerging Issues Forum as we call attention to the educational attainment gap and how we enhance our NC workforce. iei.ncsu.edu/advancing-toge…

Read all about it! News from the Governor's office, information about the final rule from the US Treasury for state and local fiscal recovery funds, and so much more. Read it, share it, and subscribe today! bit.ly/ncpronews-wint…

NC BUSINESS OWNERS - struggling to recoup economic losses due to the pandemic? BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT money may be available to you. Go to ow.ly/h5km50HcFLo to learn more and apply by Jan. 31, 2022. #BusinessRecoveryNC

Have you noticed the public wifi network available in downtown Sylva, NC? “Sylva Downtown Wi-fi” is available and ready to be used! Read more about the project and the process at regiona.org/sylva-public-w…

We've partnered with Graham County Rural Development Association to develop #affordablehousing, enabling access to homeownership for low to moderate-income families in Robbinsville, NC. We celebrate the work they are doing! #Dogwoodfunding #DogwoodHealthTrust

Join Appalachian Regional Commission for the Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow, a 5-part virtual event series showcasing economic growth in Appalachia! Register for Stop #2 on May 3 now to hear how tourism and culture fuel economic development (and see some familiar local faces!): arc.gov/event/stop-2-c…

The Southwestern Commission is seeking a dynamic & driven person to serve as the Director for the Mountain West Partnership (MWP). The MWP is a regional economic development partnership in Western North Carolina. Learn more at gownc.org/director/

Help us direct broadband funding and solutions by taking the N.C. Broadband Survey. We'll use the data from this short, 5-minute survey to expand high-speed internet to communities across the state. ncbroadband.gov/survey No internet? Call or text "internet" to 919-750-0553.

Calling all creative business owners: we need your help to improve Western NC's creative economy! Take this 10-minute survey (surveymonkey.com/r/9L8MHWY) to help Land of Sky ECD & other partners make a plan for how we can all better support creative businesses in the region.

Vice President of Impact – Economic Opportunity Sarah Thompson (middle), along with Chancellor of Western Carolina University Kelli Brown (left), and Graham County Commissioner Connie Orr (right) attended the Southwestern Commission’s annual dinner. #economicopportunity #earn

High-speed internet access is critical for people to work, learn and connect. Today, Gov. Cooper announced that nearly 85,000 households and over 2,400 businesses across the state will receive access to high-speed internet thanks to more than $206 million of GREAT grants.

Register for the Mountain West Summit: Economic Future Forum, taking place at the Cherokee Convention Center on September 21st from 10am-3pm. More information and registration can be found here: conta.cc/3wNXfrW

Register now for the Mountain West Summit: Economic Future Forum. Our featured speaker is Jay Garner, President of Garner Economics, LLC & author of "Economic Development is STILL Not for Amateurs!" All attendees will get a copy of the book! Register at: conta.cc/3wNXfrW

Congratulations to all of this cycle's awardees! We are excited to see the Town of Canton's project included on the list of communities to receive Rural Transformation funding through this final cycle.

More than 200 leaders – (our largest crowd ever!) – from public, private, and nonprofit sectors all over the region gathered together Monday evening for the Southwestern Commission's Annual Dinner. Thank you to our partners, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

The Southwestern Commission is currently seeking a resourceful, curious, and community-minded candidate for our Project Manager position. Learn more at regiona.org/project-manage…

The Southwestern Commission is seeking a resourceful, community-minded individual to fill the position of Project Manager on the Community and Economic Development team. Visit the following link for more information: regiona.org/project-manage…

We are collecting input on the southwestern NC region's assets and gaps regarding substance use disorder efforts. Please take the survey and share it with others: surveymonkey.com/r/opioidregionA.

The Southwestern Commission Region will receive ~$29mm over an 18-year period to address the region's opioid crisis. The region's 7 counties are joining together to create a strategic plan that will help guide their investment: regiona.org/opioid-settlem…

The Southwestern Commission is now hiring our next Project Manager! Our ideal candidate will be resourceful, collaborative, detail-oriented, and community-minded with strong project management skills. Learn more about the position at regiona.org/now-hiring-pro….