Sampson County Demographic Forecast Forum
February 12, 2025
The mission of Sampson County Economic Development is to serve as a catalyst and resource for business development and growth in Sampson County. Building upon that mission, Sampson County Economic Development is excited to host a Sampson County Demographic Forecast Forum on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
No doubt, we have all have heard the saying by ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who is credited with the quote, “the only thing constant in life is change.” His statement remains true, especially today. Change impacts our daily lives and is often easily overlooked or ignored. Our willingness to embrace change can result in creating new opportunities. The more business and community leaders are aware of shifts in demographic changes, the better equipped we are to adapt to meet the current and future needs of those we serve. Rosabeth Moss Kanter, an American sociologist and professor of business at Harvard Business School, who co-founded the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative stated, “Change is disturbing when it is done to us, exhilarating when it is done by us.” With an eye on the past, we can work together to meet future needs in a sustainable manner that will strengthen our local economy and increase the standard of living for future generations.
"Like many other rural counties, we are encountering the growing challenges brought about by a declining and aging population, increasing poverty rates, and a limited skilled workforce. While we realize that our County has the capacity to turn challenges into opportunities, it is more important than ever that we collaborate to identify and create those opportunities for our children and grandchildren. We must collectively and collaboratively identify and address the current needs of our businesses and industries, our farmers and agribusinesses, our healthcare system, our churches, our non-profits, and our fellow citizens with a purposeful focus on creating a bright future for all of Sampson County," stated Allen McLamb, Chair of the Sampson County Board of Commissioners.
“Our goal is to bring Sampson County’s business and industry leaders, government officials, and community stakeholders together to share information that will lead to a better understanding of the demographic changes that will impact Sampson County’s residents in the future and how to work for positive economic prosperity across Sampson County,” stated Gary Mac Herring, Chair of the Sampson County Economic Development Advisory Board.
Two speakers who are experts in their respective fields will share current data regarding the demographic trends, challenges, and opportunities that face our County, State, and region. This information will allow us to initiate informed and focused conversations among community leaders on how to help Sampson County grow, prosper, and meet the ever-changing needs of the community while working to increase the non-residential tax base, meet and enhance educational opportunities, and develop a skilled workforce that can help sustain a healthy and vibrant economy for Sampson County residents.
Session I, “Business Alert: Gale Force Demographic Wind Gusts Ahead.” In this session, Dr. James Johnson will share data regarding seven powerful demographic trends, analogous to gale force wind gusts in an adverse weather event that constitute potentially powerful disruptors of business, commerce, and education in the years ahead. Four of the gale-force demographic disruptors; slowing total and foreign-born population growth; white population loss; and declining fertility have evolved over the past several decades. The remaining three; deaths of despair, involuntary retirements, and declining labor force participation, are rooted in recent crises that have created a major demographic depression in the United States. Failure to address these forces has enormous implications for workforce development, a prime driver of U.S. business competitiveness in an ever-changing and increasingly diverse global marketplace.
Session II, “Impact Investing as a Strategic Imperative,” will be led by Jeanne Milliken Bonds. Paralleling an emergent trend in the world of business, public entities across the U.S. are increasingly embracing triple bottom line (people, planet, & prosperity) sustainability as an antidote to a host of social, economic, and environmental challenges and leveraging diverse sources of capital to address challenges resulting from changing demographics, a legacy community disinvestment, and climate change, which are contributing to growing income and wealth inequality, structurally changing the workforce, and stymieing economic growth in both urban and rural communities. Making matters worse, gentrification-induced economic and residential dislocations in many areas are creating major housing, employment, and transportation problems for some long-term residents, including civil servants and teachers, who can no longer afford to live in such communities.
Session III, “Strategic Thinking about Demographic Disruptors and Mobilizing for Impact Investments.” Johnson and Bonds will lead attendees in a facilitated group discussion addressing how impact investing tools and resources can be leveraged to promote and advance economic development in Sampson County.
The Forum is made possible through the financial support of the following sponsors: Star Communications, Duke Energy, Four County Electric Membership Corporation, South River EMC, and the North Carolina Southeast Partnership. The Clinton 100 Committee is the sponsor of the Registration & Networking session and event luncheon.
You are invited to Participate!
- Learn from two leading experts on demographic data and community investing!
- Network among our community’s leaders. (Business & Government)
- Create new relationships.
- Think about your friends and neighbors and give thought as to who you feel should be “at the table,” and INVITE them to attend.
- REGISTER TODAY!
The event will be held at the Sampson County Exposition Center, 414 Warsaw Road, Clinton, NC, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Registration begins at 7:30 am, with the program kicking off at 8:30 am. The registration fee is $40* per person. (*Plus, ticket processing fees) Tickets are currently on sale. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 6, 2025. Seating is limited.
For more information, contact Ray Jordan, Executive Director, Sampson County Economic Development, rjordan@sampsonedc.com or 910-592-8921.
To REGISTER, CLICK HERE
Sampson County Demographic Forecast Forum
Understanding Disruptive Demographic Challenges & How to Invest for Positive Economic Impact
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - Sampson County Exposition Center - 414 Warsaw Road, Clinton NC 28328
Agenda
7:30 am – 8:30 am: Registration & Networking
(Coffee/Donuts Sponsored by Clinton 100 Committee)
8:30 am – 8:45 am: Welcome & Introductions
8:45 am – 10:15 am: Business Alert: Gale Force Demographic Wind Gusts Ahead
Dr. James H. Johnson, William Rand Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship,
Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Seven powerful demographic trends, analogous to gale force wind gusts in an adverse weather event constitute potentially powerful disruptors of business, commerce, and education in the years ahead. Four of the gale-force demographic disruptors; slowing total and foreign-born population growth; white population loss; and declining fertility have evolved over the past several decades. The remaining three; deaths of despair, involuntary retirements, and declining labor force participation, are rooted in recent crises that have created a major demographic depression in the United States. Failure to address these forces has enormous implications for workforce development, a prime driver of U.S. business competitiveness in an ever-changing and increasingly diverse global marketplace.
Learning Opportunities
- Understand how disruptive demographics will impact community economic development in Sampson County, and society more generally.
- Identify strategies to navigate potentially adverse effects of gale-force demographic wind gusts.
- Gain knowledge of the policy domains where advocacy is needed to create a viable and sustainable community economic development ecosystems in Sampson County
10:15 am – 10:30 am: Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Impact Investing as a Strategic Imperative
Dr. Jeanne Milliken Bonds, Professor of Practice, Impact Investment and Sustainable Finance,
Kenan-Flagler Business School and UNC Public Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Paralleling an emergent trend in the world of business, public entities across the U.S. are increasingly embracing triple bottom line (people, planet, & prosperity) sustainability as an antidote to a host of social, economic, and environmental challenges and leveraging diverse sources of capital to address challenges resulting from changing demographics, a legacy community disinvestment, and climate change, which are contributing to growing income and wealth inequality, structurally changing the workforce, and stymieing economic growth in both urban and rural communities. Making matters worse, gentrification-induced economic and residential dislocations in many areas are creating major housing, employment, and transportation problems for some long-term residents, including civil servants and teachers, who can no longer afford to live in such communities.
Learning Opportunities
- Learn how the practice of impact investing has emerged as a high potential approach to long-term sustainable social and financial value creation for urban and rural development and redevelopment capital projects and programs.
- Discover new and innovative capital sources that can be leveraged with public funds to address physical and social infrastructure needs and programs that promote community resiliency.
- Find out how to create partnerships with intermediaries and how to assemble diverse capital stacks for projects.
- Gain knowledge of successful impact investment projects in community economic development.
12:00 am – 12:30 pm: Lunch & Reflections on Morning Sessions
(Luncheon sponsored by Clinton 100 Committee)
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Facilitated Group Discussion - Led by Dr. James H. Johnson & Jeanne Milliken Bonds
Strategic Thinking about Demographic Disruptors: Mobilizing for Impact Investments
Facilitated Group Discussion Question - How can impact investing tools and resources be leveraged to promote and advance economic development in Sampson County?