Q&A with Kala Gibson: Banking on Impact
Fifth Third Bank executive Kala Gibson says his organization believes it has an obligation to use its capital in ways that expand access and remove long-standing barriers to opportunity.
economic development
May 26, 2026
NCGrowth Spring Showcase
Don't miss the NCGrowth Showcase February 24 from 12 to 2 PM, featuring a panel discussion and informal networking tables highlighting the community-based work of NCGrowth and the Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise.
Understanding the Importance of County-Level GDP
Forecasting gross domestic product is a challenging practice, but because GDP can reveal so much about the growth of a local economy, forecasts are an important guide in making policy and business decisions.
May 26, 2026
NCGrowth Fall Showcase
Experience the NCGrowth Fall Showcase—a day dedicated to highlighting innovative projects, community partnerships, and regional impact across Southeastern North Carolina.
Empowering American Cities Featured in USA Today
Kenan Institute Chief Economist Gerald Cohen and Empowering American Cities, the institute's collaboration with Fifth Third Bank, are featured in a new USA Today package about cities with growing economies.
Shaping North Carolina’s Future with Jim Johnson
Johnson, director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center, discusses how his research sheds light on key issues that will help determine the state's economic future.
Productivity Driving Prosperity: Decoding Local Economic Growth
To find signs of productivity, we must first know where to look. Chief Economist Gerald Cohen describes how an area’s industry mix is key to its productivity and how adjusting that mix can drive more local growth using data from our American Growth Project.
May 26, 2026
Empowering American Cities Event in Charlotte
The Kenan Institute and Fifth Third Bank will present insights from our new collaboration, “Empowering American Cities,” at a breakfast Tuesday, June 25, in Charlotte.
Recap: Conference on Market-Based Solutions for Reducing Wealth Inequality
Take a look back at highlights from the second annual Conference on Market-Based Solutions for Reducing Wealth Inequality, which brought academics together with the public and private sectors to hear about new research and venture into the community.
For New Research Economist, It’s About Asking the Right Questions
New Kenan Institute Research Economist Sarah Dickerson says that while her research and writing will help further the institute’s mission, "I also aim to expand the mission’s scope by reframing some of the fundamental questions being asked."
Kenan Institute and Fifth Third Launch ‘Empowering American Cities’
Fifth Third Bank and the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School have launched Empowering American Cities, a program that delivers local economic information tailored for business leaders looking to grow their operations.
Microeconomies in 2024: Navigating Uncertainty
American Growth Project models project that all 150 of the top Extended Metropolitan Areas will see slower growth in 2024 than they did last year and that 56 of them will contract. See what else the data tell us.
May 26, 2026
NCGrowth Showcase: Nov 30, 2023
Save the date for the Fall 2023 NCGrowth Showcase in Bertie County, NC! Don't miss out on engaging presentations and lunch, Nov 30th, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
2023 Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellows: Grand Challenge Papers
Each of the Kenan Institute's 2023 Distinguished Fellows has written a paper as part of their work to support our exploration of workforce disruption. Learn more about our fellows and read their papers, along with key takeaways from each.
May 26, 2026
Thomas Stith Panel – Seeking a New Labor Market Equilibrium: A Leadership Perspective
Stith, a Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellow, will moderate a panel on strategies to build a sustainable workforce pipeline in North Carolina.
Conference Recap: A Diversity of Voices
In addition to academic presentations, the Conference on Market-Based Solutions for Reducing Wealth Inequality took participants out of the classroom and into the community for a walking tour and on-site discussions in nearby Durham, N.C.
Can China Navigate Internal Unrest – And A Deglobalized World?
As President Xi Jinping officially begins his third term leading China, his ideological approach will be tested by instability - both within and outside his country.
May 26, 2026
CREATE & AOM TIM: Emergence: Organizations, Markets, Platforms and Regions Conference
The workshop explores research on the processes of emergence in order to advance our understanding of innovation and the dynamics of change.
May 26, 2026
Webinar: NCGrowth — Black Placemaking For the Culture
Join NCGrowth, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina to explore how economically mindful heritage placemaking is taking shape in Black communities across the country.
May 26, 2026
Webinar: NCGrowth — Blueway Guide Launch
Co-hosted by the North Carolina Office of the US Economic Development Administration and the North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Industry Office at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, NCGrowth’s Blueway Guide provides communities the tools they need to leverage waterways for economic development and increased quality of life. Speakers will include outdoor industry businesses, economic development professionals and community leaders.
May 26, 2026
Virtual Event: Dean’s Speaker Series — Darren Walker
Please join us for an exclusive conversation with the President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker on Wednesday, March 3. This virtual experience is part of the Dean’s Speaker Series, hosted by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Dean Doug Shackelford.
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $300,000 in CARES Act Funding to Boost University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Capacity to Help Communities and Businesses Respond to and Recover from Economic Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $300,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's NCGrowth University Center to boost their capacity to support regional economic development strategies in response to the coronavirus pandemic.