Rick Morse is a faculty member at the School of Government.
Have you ever heard of boundary organizations? Probably not, unless you happen to be among a small niche of academics who research the social studies of science. But the for those interested in collaboration and partnerships for community and economic development, there are important insights to be gleaned from the nascent research on boundary organizations.
Paul Winn is a Masters Student of City and Regional Planning and a graduate student assistant working with Lenoir County.
A conceptual plan for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) of Eastern North Carolina was produced in 2004 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with Greenways, Inc. While the official support of the State in promoting the MST is an important step in creating a continuous cross-state trail, it is still up to each community to plan, fund, and create local trail segments. The conceptual plan envisions the Eastern NC MST following the banks of the Neuse River. However, for much of Eastern North Carolina, this presents a problem.
Tyler Mulligan is a School of Government faculty member.
A New York Times article today covered Pfizer’s announcement that it will be leaving New London, Connecticut, the city at the center of the landmark eminent domain case, Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005). In Kelo, a 5‑4 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution permits the condemnation of private property for the purpose of carrying out a comprehensive economic development plan, even if the condemned property is not blighted. The decision permitted the city to condemn Susette Kelo’s New London home to make way for an “urban village” adjacent to Pfizer’s property. According to the article, Pfizer asserts that it had no interest in the condemnation case, but the city touted its comprehensive plan in its efforts to lure the company to New London.
The Supreme Court’s decision proved to be unpopular. In response, a number of states enacted amendments to their state constitutions to restrict or prohibit the exercise of eminent domain for economic development, except to eliminate blight. A similar amendment was proposed in North Carolina during the 2009 session of the General Assembly (House Bill 1268), but it did not make it out of the House. Bills containing constitutional amendments are eligible for consideration in the short session, so the proposed amendment could be put forward again in 2010. (more)
Will Lambe is the Director of the Community-Campus Partnership and the Associate Director for the Community & Economic Development Program.
On Monday night, November 9, community leaders from across Lenoir County came together to hear feedback on project proposals that have been submitted to the Golden LEAF Foundation. Foundation President Dan Gerlach provided an overview of project proposals, which total $8.3 million. The Foundation will invest $2 million in projects selected by a committee of local leaders and approved by the Golden LEAF board. (more)
Will Lambe is the Director of the Community-Campus Partnership and Associate Director for the Community & Economic Development Program.
Jesse White, Director of the UNC Office for Economic and Business Development, has a compelling anti-incentive op-ed in the N&O today.
Will Lambe is the Director of the Community-Campus Partnership and Associate Director for the Community & Economic Development Program.
On Monday, November 2, Jason Jolley from the UNC Center for Competitive Economies at the Kenan Institute made a presentation on economic development to the Caswell County Commissioners. Jason provided data to illustrate a number of trends in the county, inluding a high out-commute rate, wage variance with neighboring communities, and emerging industry clusters in the adjoining Triad and Dan River regions. The presentation is available here Caswell County Presentation.
