Assessing demographic and economic trends in order to prescribe policy that leads to prosperity for the urban disadvantaged.

Aging as an Engine of Innovation, Business Development, and Employment Growth

This article makes the case for such an age-focused economic development strategy.

Demographic Realities: The Browning and Graying of America

Dr. Jim Johnson, Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center, speaks at Columbus Metropolitan Club on 'The Browning and Graying of America.'

Help Older North Carolinians Age in the Comfort of Home

North Carolina’s 65 and older population is growing almost twice as fast as the total population, increasing by close to a half million since 2000.

Bracing for the Silver Tsunami: The Elder Care Economy Innovations Hub

The aging of the world’s population will transform all of our social, economic, and political institutions. Ideas and innovations are urgently needed to help seniors age successfully.
 

Recent Publications

Community Action Study Examines Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income Families and Communities in North Carolina

September 28, 2021

Financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are hitting low-income families in North Carolina especially hard, according to a new report released by the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA). The study was commissioned by NCCAA to gauge how the pandemic was affecting its efforts to combat poverty and facilitate self-sufficiency in low-income communities. More

Business Alert! Gale Force Demographic Wind Gusts Ahead

August 25, 2021

Seven powerful demographic trends—analogous to gale force wind gusts in an adverse weather event—constitute potentially powerful disruptors of business and commerce in the years ahead. Four of the gale force demographic disruptors—slowing total and foreign-born population growth, white population loss, and declining fertility— have evolved over the past several decades. More

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income Households and Communities in North Carolina

August 01, 2021

The North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) commissioned a study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its efforts to combat poverty and facilitate self-sufficiency in low-income communities throughout the state. We conducted focus groups with individuals served by Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and conducted a corresponding set of key informant interviews with identified leaders in five communities across the state. The research focused on five themes. We generated eight key takeaways from our content analysis of the focus group transcripts and nine key takeaways from our content analysis of the transcripts emanating from our Zoom sessions with community key informants.

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Proceed with Caution in Reopening Public Schools

February 12, 2021

Despite advocacy from governmental officials and parents alike, we urge caution in the reopening of public schools before the coronavirus pandemic is fully under control. We are especially concerned about the premature re-opening of schools in impoverished and flood-prone urban and rural environments. More