Greensboro, North Carolina, faces significant challenges with increasing poverty, ranking among the top U.S. cities experiencing rapid growth in this issue. Mayor Nancy Vaughan highlights the need for community collaboration and support for local organizations to address poverty through initiatives like job creation, business support, and inclusive policies. The city is actively engaging in discussions and summits to tackle these issues and enhance economic opportunities for all residents.

1. Mayor Nancy Vaughan City of Greensboro North Carolina

2. Challenge
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Poverty is an issue most city leaders face.
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It’s time to turn a spotlight on a dark issue that nobody likes to talk about.
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What are we doing locally and how are we influencing policy makers?

3. This hits home in Greensboro & NC
Greensboro is 1 of 3 cities in North Carolina ranked in the Top 10 US cities where poverty is growing the fastest (according to the Brookings Institute)
Between 2000 and 2012, poverty increased in the Greensboro-High Point area by 77%

4. Facts:
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Poverty isn’t just a rural concern
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In North Carolina, 65% of distressed census tracts are urban
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Only 7% of families in poverty have a full-time worker

5. How to Address Locally
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Partner with community groups and organizations to bring the issue of poverty to the forefront. This has to be an issue the entire community works to resolve.
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Consider funding groups that address issues like poverty and homelessness.
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Support the development of small business.
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Foster an environment of inclusion, both socially and in the business community.
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It’s not just about job creation, but also wage creation.
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Localize issues like Medicaid expansion, support expansion of earned income tax credits, etc.

6. In Greensboro
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Trying to understand the facts from economic and social issue experts.
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Addressing poverty through a series of summits.
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Partnering with local non-profit leaders.
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Increasing funding to partners aiding in fight against homelessness.
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Increasing focus on minority and women- owned businesses
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Increasing support to small and emerging businesses
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Working to create an inclusive and economically viable environment for all.
We have started the conversation with our own Poverty Summit and we are: