Forecasting for the Future: Planning for Population Change

While some communities in North Carolina are exploding with growth and are welcoming droves of new residents, others are experiencing a decline in population. Such fluctuations in citizenry make it difficult for utilities to effectively plan for the future. Significant ebbs and flows can drastically affect infrastructure needs, and can complicate such issues as how and when to adjust rates to address current and future needs.  In this issue of NC Currents, we will feature case studies of how communities are effectively planning for both positive and negative growth. Articles may include such topics as downtown revitalizations that bolster growth, megaparks, regional pockets of annexation, merging utilities, and new development fees (HB 436).

Theme leaders: Steve Hilderhoff, Marco Mendendez, Marianna Boucher

Submission Guidelines

Each issue of NC Currents is organized around an advertised theme. Themes serve as general guidance for each issue, but it is not a requirement that all articles within an issue related to the theme. All submissions are welcome and will be reviewed. If you have questions about a theme, please contact the Theme Leaders listed with the theme.

Submission of an article does not guarantee that it will be published, or published in the issue for which it was submitted. The editorial committee will review and select all articles, and authors will be notified of the status of their submission.

In addition to the guidelines provided below the NC Currents Style Guide (Revision 6) is available to answer some common editing questions.

• All submissions and signed Submission Form & Publication Agreement must be submitted electronically to Kyrie Hoover at khoover@ncsafewater.org  and received by 5:00pm EST on the submission deadline listed above.
• Acceptable text format: Microsoft Word
• Acceptable photo format: jpeg, tiff, or gif and at least 300 dpi
• Send photos and graphics separately from the actual article. (They may also be included within the article to show placement & captions.)
• All photos and graphics must include a caption.  If captions are not included in submission text, include a separate document with photo/graphic file names and the caption that corresponds with each file.
• For technical articles, include a bio (no more than 50 words) for each author.  Bio may be sent separately or included at the end of submission text.
• There is no minimum or maximum word count. Articles average 1,200 words. Articles should be long enough to address the topic. You will be contacted if the Editorial Sub-Committee wants the article lengthened or shortened.
• All articles submitted will be considered. Preference will be given to articles related to an issues theme, and those related to North Carolina, and when applicable, those that discuss completed projects.
• NC Currents is distributed to a broad audience and this should be taken into consideration when writing an article. Abbreviations should be avoided or explained, and acronyms should be spelled out.
• The purpose of an article should be to educate or inform the audience. Articles promoting a specific product or company (i.e. a sales-pitch) will not be accepted.

More Information...NC Currents Magazine / Submission Guidelines / Communication Committee