In this episode, we sit down with four experts from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center to explore how rural communities across the state are building stronger, more resilient economies.

Karen Smith, AICP - As the Rural Planning Program Manager, Karen brings over 30 years of experience in public-sector community and economic development planning in North Carolina, including the last 20 with the Department of Commerce.

Grace Lawrence –-Serving as the South Central (Sandhills) Prosperity Zone’s Community Economic Development Planner, Grace works directly with local governments and stakeholders to provide technical assistance and implement community strategies. She’s spent 20 years preserving natural resources and advancing community development across the state.

Samantha Darlington - As Community Economic Development Planner for the Southeast Region, Samantha helps rural communities turn ideas into action. She works closely with local governments and partners on strategic planning, project implementation, and stakeholder engagement.

Sharon Smith - Covering North Carolina’s Northeast Region, Sharon works with community leaders to identify economic development strategies that will help move them toward their goals. Sharon lives on the Pamlico River in Little Washington with her husband and two black labs.

Thanks for tuning in!