Governor Josh Stein held a rural listening session with business leaders and local officials in Clinton on Mar. 25 as part of his administration’s ongoing Rural Listening Tour. The event is the second in a series designed to gather input from residents across North Carolina about their priorities and challenges.
The tour aims to ensure that state government hears directly from people living in rural areas, which Governor Stein described as essential for making effective decisions about economic opportunity, infrastructure, education, and health care. “Rural communities are the backbone of North Carolina, and it’s important that we hear directly from people across our state, including here in eastern North Carolina, about how state government can better serve them and their neighbors to help them succeed,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These listening sessions help us focus our efforts and make smart investments in economic opportunity, infrastructure, education, and health care.”
According to the official website of the Office of the Governor of North Carolina, the office serves the entire state and executes state laws as its chief executive while leading the Council of State according to the official website. In addition to serving as commander in chief of the North Carolina National Guard and appointing executive officials according to the official website, Governor Stein also influences policy through directing budgets and granting pardons according to the official website.
In recent years under Stein’s leadership—the state’s 76th governor according to the official website—North Carolina has seen more than $12.5 billion invested into rural communities with nearly 5,000 jobs created last year alone. Infrastructure upgrades have included over $472 million for water projects spanning most counties as well as more than $300 million approved for high-speed internet expansion through federal programs.
Stein has also focused on raising starting teacher pay through his Critical Needs Budget proposal amid persistent staffing shortages faced by many rural school districts. He highlighted investments connecting students with high-demand job sectors via initiatives like NC Career Launch. On public safety issues earlier this month he called on lawmakers for a $1.4 billion budget addressing urgent needs such as law enforcement staffing shortages with targeted funding proposals.
Health care access remains another priority; last December saw $213 million secured from federal sources aimed at supporting over 400 rural health facilities statewide while opioid settlement funds continue being used locally for addiction treatment programs following national negotiations led by then-Attorney General Stein.
Looking ahead, upcoming sessions will continue gathering feedback throughout all counties—a commitment reflected by resources such as “100 Counties Strong,” an online dashboard tracking investments made across North Carolina.
