Initiative conferences and training workshops provide opportunities for community economic developers and partners to network, collaborate, share best practices and generate new ideas.

Retreats and workshops hosted by the Initiative and with partners help community development organizations sharpen their skills in every area of operations and management.

Recent Leadership Institutes co-hosted with the N.C. Association of Community Development Corporations and N.C. Rural Economic Development Center convened sector leaders to vision and plan how to help N.C.’s poorest communities recover and rebuild from devastating recession and cuts in funding for many essential services.