The NC STEP Program is a new program of the North Carolina Rural Center. It is a $10.5 million, broad-based strategy for addressing small-town issues. The plan is designed to help towns recover their prosperity and improve the quality of life for its citizens. It is being funded primarily by the N.C. Rural Economic Infrastructure Fund, a grants and investment program.

Twenty economically-distressed communities were selected to participate in the three-year program (5 cluster applicants and 15 individual towns), representing 32 small towns across the state.

The Towns of Bladenboro, Clarkton, Elizabethtown and White Lake are participating as a cluster in the NC STEP (NC Small Towns Economic Prosperity) program. Bladen's Bloomin', an economic development organization in Bladen County is the administrative agent for the Bladen County NC STEP Cluster. The four towns chose to apply as a cluster because the resources in our communities cross town boundaries. Additionally, by pooling our combined leadership and resources, we hope to benefit all four towns in a cooperative effort. By working together as a demonstration site, we offer the NC STEP program a higher probability for success.

For the latest NC STEP news, please visit Announcements.

For more information on the Bladen County Cluster of NC STEP, contact:

Bladen's Bloomin'
Bladen County Economic Development Office
P.O. Box 2203
Elizabethtown, NC 28337

(910) 645-2292
BLADEN CLUSTER - NC STEP