NCGrowth
Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

Economic Development

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The Power of Belonging

Nov 9, 2026 • News & Media • 5 min read

For Kristine Locklear Urrutia, leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about ensuring more voices have a seat at the table. A citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, co-founder of The JAN Collaborative, and Executive Director of the Catawba Nation Foundation, Kristine has spent more than three decades building bridges between communities, organizations, and opportunities. Throughout her career in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and strategic partnerships, one principle has guided her work:
Two restaurant staff members wearing aprons look at a laptop together at a table in a restaurant.

Practical AI, Real Results: Bringing AI to Rural Business

Oct 1, 2026 • News & Media • 3 min read

For many small and rural businesses, keeping up with emerging technology can feel less like an opportunity and more like a challenge. While larger organizations often have access to dedicated training, tools, and technical support, smaller firms are frequently asked to adapt with far fewer resources. This summer, NCGrowth worked to help close that gap through the AI for Small and Rural Businesses Cohort — a practical, accessible learning experience designed for nontechnical business owners exploring how artificial intelligence can support day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
A winding road curves over an elevated bridge, surrounded by a vibrant autumn forest with trees in shades of red, orange, and yellow.

EXTRA, EXTRA…WESTERN NC NEWS

Oct 1, 2026 • News & Media • 4 min read

Some of the most promising projects in Western North Carolina begin with a simple conversation: a business owner, community leader, or local partner saying, “We’ve got an idea, but we’re not quite sure how to make it happen.” That is often where NCGrowth’s work begins. This quarter, NCGrowth is partnering with businesses and communities across the region on projects that support small-business growth, strengthen local planning, and help communities move ideas toward implementation. From financial strategy and wholesale expansion to downtown reuse planning and retail market analysis, the work reflects a common goal: helping Western North Carolina build stronger local economies with solutions shaped by local needs. NCGrowth is also working with a cohort of regional businesses preparing for post-Helene opportunities, with a focus on recovery, resilience, and long-term growth.