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The article talks about the economic issues, and election polls in North Carolina and support for political candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. It mentions the traditional industries such as furniture, unemployment and public higher education in the state, needs to revive the economy through education and employment and colleges such as Catawba Valley Community College to open furniture courses and East Carolina University to connect with the local needs.

The article discusses the role of universities and colleges in economic development for U.S. municipalities. Topics include the success of the Research Triangle Park economic development initiative in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, the relation of Stanford University to the development of technology industries in the Silicon Valley region of California, and relations between higher education and businesses.

The article reports that the University of North Carolina system warned that its powers and revenue could be severely eroded by two spending-bill provisions that were pushed during the 2005 legislative session by the university's flagship campus, at Chapel Hill. Molly Corbett Broad, president of the 16-campus system, fought the proposals, which system officials feared would circumvent the governing board's authority and could ultimately lead to a breakup of the system. Higher education fared well when the 2005-2006 budget deal was finally inked. State appropriations for the University of North Carolina system were $2.132-billion, an increase of 10.6 percent. The article also provides statistical information related to the demography of the state.

The article reports on the Global Understanding program at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, which connects students with their counterparts in other countries using a video link and email chats. The program's low cost and relatively simple technology, combined with its popularity and ability to connect college students with institutions in multiple other countries, are discussed. The launch of the program in 2003 by technology administrators Rosina C. Chia and Elmer Poe is also described, along with its contributions to distance learning and international education.

The article focuses on former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards and College for Everyone, which is a program to help college students from Greene County, North Carolina pay for their first year of college. Edwards campaign promises include plans to reform federal financial aid, the student loan system, and increase the teacher workforce in urban schools. Edwards' education, career as a lawyer, and his political career, including an unsuccessful 2004 presidential campaign with Senator John F. Kerry, are discussed. Robert M. Shireman of the Institute for College Access and Success believes that College for Everyone is a good plan while George C. Leef of the John William Pope Center for Public Policy disagrees.

The article reports that financial support for repairs and maintenance of colleges in North Carolina has not kept pace, even with state's own minimum requirements for upkeep. The deferred-maintenance bill for the 16-campus University of North Carolina system alone is approaching $1-billion. Before the 2000 bond measure was passed, college leaders and public officials say, spending for campus facilities was often erratic. While the bonds have allowed North Carolina colleges to tackle their capital needs in a more holistic manner, money for maintenance was not included in the spending package, which had been approved by 73 percent of voters.

This article reports on the outlook for higher education in the state legislature of North Carolina. For 2006-7, the second year of the biennium, lawmakers have approved $2.1-billion for the University of North Carolina system, the same as the 2005-6 appropriation. Officials of the state's two college systems plan to submit requests for supplemental appropriations for the 2006-7 fiscal year. With tax revenue running ahead of projections, and the legislature generally appearing friendly to education, college officials are hoping that lawmakers will set aside additional money for various higher-education priorities, particularly enrollment growth.

The article reports on plans to build a biotechnology research campus in Kannapolis, North Carolina, on the site of the former Cannon Mills textile manufacturing complex. The project is discussed as just one example of a national trend in looking to research industries like biotech to rescue local economies deserted by traditional industry. The Cannon Mills project is being spearheaded by David H. Murdock, owner of Dole Foods and a former operator of the Cannon Mills plant before it closed in 2003.

The article presents information on developments in the field of education in various U.S. states. The State Board of Community Colleges in North Carolina should review and approve employment contracts for presidents of the state's 58 two-year colleges, according to a report released last week by the state auditor. The Board of Governors of Florida's public-university system has named Mark Rosenberg, the longtime provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida International University, as chancellor of the statewide system.