The North Carolina State Department of Commerce has released its 2025 economic development tier designations. The designations, which are categorized in a three-level tier system, are mandated by state law and have been in place since 2007. The tiers are designed to indicate county-level economic well-being and determine opportunities for state funding to promote economic growth.

The department noted that these updates do not “well capture” the impacts of Hurricane Helene on counties in western North Carolina. There are several factors that go into calculating which county tier designation. The only factor that takes into account the impacts of Helene is the unemployment rate in the counties because the department was able to use data from November 2023 through October 2024, capturing some of the impact left in Helene’s wake.

While the department does the calculations for the designations, it should be noted that they are not the institution responsible for setting the policy for the tiers. That is a responsibility of the state legislature.

The 2025 updates show that nine counties will move from a lower tier, which indicates more economic distress, to a higher tier, which indicates less economic distress. These counties include Cherokee, Chowan, Duplin, Gates, Jones, Onslow, and Pasquotank moving from Tier One to Tier Two. Granville and Haywood are moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

There are an additional nine counties moving from a higher tier (less economic distress) to a lower tier (more economic distress). These counties include Alexander, Caldwell, Cleveland, McDowell, Montgomery, Randolph, and Surry, which are moving from Tier 2 to Tier 1. Camden and Davie counties are moving from Tier 3 to Tier 2.

Read the full article about the 2025 tier designations.

“Ask the hard questions,” said Camika Williams, an adult learner at Guilford Technical Community College. “Are you homeless? Are you hungry?”

Williams said these should be some of the first questions college support staff ask students when they enter community college.

Williams was one of eight students to kick off the North Carolina Community College System’s (NCCCS) two-day Adult Learning Conference on Nov. 21-22. The event convened 230 college leaders from around North Carolina as well as three other states.

The conference provided an opportunity for practitioners working with adult learners at the state’s 58 community colleges to share insights about what has or has not worked over the last three years when it comes to engaging and supporting adult students.

With over 20 sessions, participants learned a variety of ways to enhance the adult learner experience, including transitioning to accelerated eight-week courses, implementing a holistic advising model, and engaging industry partners in credential attainment.

Read more on EdNC’s website.

The Next NC Scholarship covers tuition and fees at any North Carolina community college for students from families making $80,000 a year or less. If interested in a university, students can get a minimum of $5,000 towards tuition and fees at any of the 16 UNC system schools.

The scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program in an effort to provide a simplified and predictable scholarship award. All that is required to apply is filling out a FAFSA form.

The scholarship was created in partnership by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, the North Carolina Community College System, and the University of North Carolina System. State funding is provided in part by the NC Education Lottery.

You can read more about how to apply and who is eligible on EdNC’s website.

Here’s how to apply for the FAFSA:

First, you’ll need to create a StudentAid.gov account.

Your contributors will also need to create their own StudentAid.gov accounts. Your contributors are anyone required to provide information on your FAFSA form, such as your parents or your spouse.

If you are a student, you will be required to enter your Social Security number (SSN) to create a StudentAid.gov account unless you’re a citizen of the Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).

If your contributors do not have a SSN, they can still create an account to complete their section of your FAFSA form. However, if your contributors do have a SSN, you are required to provide the number when inviting them to contribute to your FAFSA form.

Next, gather the documents needed to apply. The FAFSA asks for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and your financial situation. Here are some examples of the information you might need:

• Your parents’ SSNs if they have SSNs and you’re a dependent student
• Tax returns
• Records of child support received
• Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
• Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms

The financial data determines a family’s expected out-of-pocket college payments. If those returns don’t reflect your current financial situation, you can file an appeal for a professional judgment review with the school you plan to attend.

Read more about the 2025-26 FAFSA — including why its important — on our website.

Hurricane Helene related news | College adoptions are still going strong. Sandhills Community College recently adopted Blue Ridge Community College and Haywood Community College has been adopted by Forsyth Technical and Rockingham community colleges.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical hosted a resource fair to support the community after Hurricane Helene. The resources included donations and access to employment opportunities.

Mayland Community College will offer free tuition for incoming students this spring, along with Haywood Community College.

Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood shares stories from the college’s EMS instructors during and after Hurricane Helene.

Community college updates | Cape Fear Community College is no longer under academic warning by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The warning was removed on Sunday night, according to a college official.

Carteret Community College trustees recently received updates on the construction of the college’s $9.37 million Workforce Development Center for Construction and Transportation Trades. More than 200 students have enrolled in construction trades and welding programs at the college in 2024. Carteret Community College has offered its Construction Academy since 2023 to introduce students to the construction trades, as one of 10 colleges chosen in 2023 to pilot the eight-week program, offered in partnership with the Carolinas Association of General Contractors.

Robeson Community College’s Culinary Arts Program Director, Chef James Ingram, was featured in the December 2024 edition of BusinessNC Magazine. The article was focused on the travel and tourism industry in North Carolina.

Partnerships and agreements | Biotech company Amgen recently invested $1 billion to expand its manufacturing facility in Holly Springs. According to a press release, Wake Technical Community College will train the workforce for Amgen and the college’s partnership with Amgen was “among several incentives that led Amgen’s decision to expand in the area.”

Alamance Community College recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Dexco Machining and Fabrication, “the third new NCEdge Customized Training Project partner this year for the college.”

Blue Ridge Community College and East Tennessee State University are partnering to provide “transfer pathways for students who earn an associate of applied science degree to complete one of 10 bachelor’s degree programs, as well as an RN to BSN program.”

Small business centers | Lift-Off Lab program, a business startup program offered by the Central Carolina Community College Small Business Center, recently helped launch Liberty PlayTown, an imaginative and inclusive play center located in Harnett County.

Improving graduation rates | A look at how the Cape Fear and Brunswick community colleges’ local school districts are using CTE to improve graduation rates. From the article: “A large portion of the strategies include efforts to expand access to Career and Technical Education through the Center of Applied Sciences and Technology (COAST). All BCS students have access to Brunswick Community College classes and the district has sorted out transportation so that students don’t have to choose between after school activities and CTE training.”

Student success | Bladen Community College recently celebrated graduates of their evening CDL program.