Detailed Agenda
Detailed Agenda
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2:00 PM-3:15 PM EST Glenwood Ballroom
Welcome & Opening Keynote: Data Centers and the Rural Opportunity: What Communities Should Know in the Era of AI
Speakers:
- Auditor Dave Boliek, State Auditor, State of North Carolina
Plenary Speakers:
- Matt Dunne, Founder & CEO, Center on Rural Innovation
- Patrick Woodie, President & CEO, NC Rural Center
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3:30 PM-4:30 PM EST Breakout Room 2: Salon D
Powering Rural Prosperity: Innovative Strategies for Infrastructure & Economic Growth
Speakers:
- Ryan Nance, MBA, Director, Economic Development, NC's Electric Cooperatives
- Blake Moyer, CECD, NCCED, President and CEO, Surry County EDP
- Ms. Kelly Andrews, CEcD, MBA, Director, Economic Development, Pitt County
- Trey Cash, Chief Operating Officer, NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region
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3:30 PM-4:30 PM EST Breakout Room 3: Salon E + F + G + H
Preparing Rural North Carolina for the Changing Housing Assistance Landscape
Moderator:
- Tarik J. Woods, Policy and Program Manager, Institute for Emerging Issues
Speakers:
- Will Brank, French Broad EMC
- Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, MPA,MCRP, Director of Housing Policy, NC Housing Coalition
- Michael Welker, Director of Policy and Research Partnerships, ncIMPACT Initiative, UNC School of Government
- Samantha Graham, Director of Outreach, Division of Community Revitalization at the NC Department of Commerce
- Lea Henry, Vice President of Research Policy & Impact Center, National Institute of Minority Economic Development
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3:30 PM-4:30 PM EST Breakout Room 4: City of Oaks Ballroom
The Rural Healthcare Transformation Imperative Partnering to Build Resilient Communities
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3:30 PM-4:30 PM EST Breakout Room 1: Salon A + B + C
Utility Management Strengthened by Partnerships
Speakers:
- Lynn Davis, Town Manager, Town of Belhaven
- Roy Jones, CEO, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc.
- Heather Somers, Executive Director, North Carolina Rural Water Association
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8:00 AM-9:30 AM EST Glenwood Ballroom
Day 2 Opening Plenary: Bridging the Gap: Infrastructure for Rural North Carolina's Next Chapter
Moderator:
- Sarah Hall, Director, Institute for Emerging Issues
Speakers:
- Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner, Economic Leadership
- Chuck Flink, Howard C. and Margaret G. Bissell Director, Pappas Real Estate Development Program at NC State University
- Abdul Rasheed, founder and former CEO, North Carolina Community Development Initiative (NCCDI) and Initiative Capital
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Moderator:
- Brian Rathbone, Partner, Broadband Catalysts
Speakers:
- Sarah Thompson, VP Community Investment, Economic Opportunity, Dogwood Health Trust
- Sean Moore, Technology Specialist, Neuse Regional Libraries
- Jammie Starks, Chief Commercialization Officer, ECC Technologies
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9:45 AM-10:45 AM EST Breakout Room 3: Salon E + F + G + H
Building Community: Downtown Franklinton Redevelopment
Speakers:
- Rick L Houser, Sr Vice President, NC Market Executive, Benchmark Community Bank
- Armeer Kenchen, Executive Vice President of Small Business Capital, Executive Director of the Small Business Credit Initiative & CornerSquare Community Capital, North Carolina Rural Center
- Zach Steffey, ICMA-CM, AICP, MPA, Town Manager, Town of Franklinton
- Steven Hayes, Developer
- Joe Farrell, Managing Partner, Franklinton Development, LLC and Mason Street Partners, LLC
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9:45 AM-10:45 AM EST Breakout Room 4: City of Oaks Ballroom
Preparing Rural NC for Energy Infrastructure Projects
Moderator:
- Tarik J. Woods, Policy and Program Manager, Institute for Emerging Issues
Speakers:
- Karen Ann Howard, BA, LLB, Commissioner, Chatham Couny BOC
- Steve Kalland, Executive Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
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9:45 AM-10:45 AM EST Breakout Room 1: Salon A + B + C
Turning Infrastructure into Opportunity: Lessons from a Regional Water Project
Speakers:
- David Lambert, Director of Strategic Projects, North Carolina Department of Commerce
- Michael Rhoney, Water Resources Director, City of Asheboro
- John Grey, PE, Western Division Lead, The Wooten Company
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11:15 AM-12:15 PM EST Breakout Room 4: City of Oaks Ballroom
Economic and Community Development through Streetscape Implementation: Understanding the Importance of a Local Governments Financial and Social Capital in Revitalizing their Downtown
Speakers:
- Joe Moore, PE, Assistant Director of Infrastructure, Timmons Group
- Mr. Randolph Williams, AICP, Planning Director, City of Newton
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11:15 AM-12:15 PM EST Breakout Room 3: Salon E + F + G + H
From Access to Adoption, Infrastructure & Beyond: Rural Telehealth Successes, Challenges, and Solutions
Moderator:
- Jordan Rogers, Director of Relationship Marketing, NC Telehealth Network Association
Speakers:
- Nick Galvez, Office of Rural Health
- Vinay C. Reddy, MD, MPH, Medical Director, UNC Health Virtual Care Center
- Maggie Woods, Director, Office of Digital Opportunity, NC Dept of Information Technology
- Cyndy Yu-Robinson, Executive Director, Kramden Institute
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11:15 AM-12:15 PM EST Breakout Room 1: Salon A + B + C
Rebuilding from the Ground Up: Community-Owned Infrastructure
Speakers:
- Chris J. Suggs, Executive Director, Kinston Teens, Inc.
- Kofi Boone, Distinguished Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, NC State University, College of Design
- Sarah Konradi, Executive Director, Design Workshop Foundation
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11:15 AM-12:15 PM EST Breakout Room 2: Salon D
Securing North Carolinas Water Future for Rural Communities
Speakers:
- Heather Somers, Executive Director, North Carolina Rural Water Association
- Schumata Brown, Town Manager, Town of Maysville
- Anthony Starr, Executive Director, Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG)