Carolina's Compass...

Making progress in North Carolina...

The North Carolina Progress Board believes that ordinary people represent an extraordinary — and untapped — source of innovative ideas for a better future. We want your input on ways to tackle our most critical challenges in every public policy area, including health, families, communities, education, workforce, environment, economy, infrastructure and government.

Take a look at our issues listed below, then pick one public policy issue and add your comments to answer two questions about that issue:  1) why you think it matters and 2) how you think we should solve it.

Most of us recognize that, like other states, North Carolina faces profound challenges to our future competitiveness. We must also recognize that government alone cannot ensure our future success. Rather, all of us must assume individual responsibility for helping define and solve problems we face as a state. This is your chance; let us know what you think.

Addressing weight problems in NC

A key health issue facing North Carolinians and the nation is the growing problem of obesity and the corresponding cost of treatment. There is an urgent need to develop programs promoting good nutrition, encouraging healthier lifestyles and reduce obesity.

Our report on NC's weight problem is featured on the NC Progress Board website.

Please add your ideas and comments on how we as a state can work toward solving this problem and what can be done to help citizens have a healthier life.

Other Issues

We continue to look for new topics that can provide additional information useful for citizens and lawmakers in North Carolina. Please give us your ideas on what may be missing from our other issue areas so those topics can be added for your benefit. Click on "comments" and provide your suggestions. Our Other Issues section is about issues and information not included in the sections above.

Government

We have a vision about Active Citizenship / Accountable Government that says  knowledgeable, informed citizens should actively participate in their state and local governments and hold their governments accountable for the revenues they receive and the services they provide. Accountable government is effective, efficient, and responsive government. It addresses the changing needs of the state and its citizens in an efficient, appropriate, and equitable manner.

Add your ideas and suggestions on how to make this goal more effective in making sure our state government meets these goals.

Economy

Our imperative A Prosperous Economy states that North Carolina’s growing, diversified economy is competitive in the global marketplace. High-quality jobs are plentiful across all economic, geographic and demographic sectors. “Knowledge workers” dominate the workforce, and citizens take advantage of modern technology to create new economic opportunities. Sound investments in people and infrastructure have accelerated our transition from traditional to knowledge-based economies. Through our willingness to think boldly we have built a "New Economy" on the foundation of our traditional economic strengths.

Environment

As stewards of the environment, North Carolinians preserve and protect the state’s vast resources. The quality of the air, water, and land will be maintained and enhanced. The collection and dissemination of environmental data will reflect advanced technology and communication tools.  Study our section on A Sustainable Environment and add your ideas and comments to help with the work to preserve and improve the environment and make North Carolina a leader in this endeavor.

Workforce

Our vision and imperative for A High Performance Workforce states that North Carolina workers will adapt quickly to changing demands of the global workplace through their abilities to use information, think analytically, work in teams, and use technology. North Carolina workers will be prepared for these changes as a result of a partnership between the public and private sector that recognizes the importance of family-sustaining wages and benefits for all jobs. This combination will result in establishing a standard for a prosperous economy. Employers will recognize employees as an important asset and provide compensation and work environments that value workers. Our reports in this area tell about the current trends but your thoughts can help improve this information and suggest ideas on what can be done to provide a more competitive work environment.

Education

The imperative Quality Education for All states that a quality education is essential to success in an increasingly competitive, ever changing workplace. Education must provide the tools needed for citizens to become solid contributors to the state’s economy, culture, and civic, social and religious life. In our vision, North Carolina's education system will strengthen public schools so every child has an equal opportunity to succeed and every graduate is ready for work or additional education. All citizens of every age will have access to continuing educational opportunities through a seamless education partnership between the secondary and post-secondary educational systems in the state. Your ideas can help steer the efforts to make advances in these areas - please click "comment" and add your thoughts and suggestions.

Communities

The Safe and Vibrant Communities imperative  vision states that communities of every size and in every region of the state offer their citizens a desirable quality of life. Citizens live in safety and in harmony. Communities achieve economic and environmental sustainability as home, civic, and cultural life prospers. Everyone and communities celebrate a vitality evident in the proportion of young people who choose to remain at home, or to return home, for their adult years. Your comments and ideas can help us suggest ways to improve these qaualities of life for all citizens.

Infrastructure

North Carolina -- long recognized as the good roads state -- wins renewed acclaim for a globally competitive public infrastructure. Its infrastructure effectively integrates efficient transportation modalities, reliable and affordable energy generation and distribution networks, and safe and extensive water, sewer, storm water, and solid waste management systems. Coupled with it's soft infrastructure of low-cost, high-bandwidth information and telecommunication networks, the hard infrastructure energizes the state to compete in a dynamic, knowledge-based, and communications-driven global environment. Read the 21st Century Infrastructure imperative and give us your ideas on what needs to be done by the state to improve our infrastructure to help the state remain competitive in the growing world economy.

Health and Families

Our imperative Healthy Children and Families focuses on issues relating to health and offers information to help citizens understand the trends in NC.  Families and individuals of all ages thrive in North Carolina. From early childhood well past retirement, our citizens are mentally and physically fit, with no significant differences in health across racial, ethnic, or geographic lines. Our most vulnerable citizens — children and the elderly — are surrounded by a supportive family and community.

Please help us improve this section by adding your ideas on how to improve this information and how the state can help with health needs.