. . . Emerging ideas, inventions, discoveries and innovations that are not yet trends, but have the potentialto impact areas within 3-8 years

World Future Society Communities of the

Future Institute for Alternative

Futures Local, state, national and

international professional associations

Changes in technology

Research-based institutions

State or federal legislative changes

Local elected officials Advocacy Groups (i.e.

Future Economy Council) Employees Citizens Census

By 2040, at least 3.5 billion people will run short of water—almost 10 times as many as in 1995. The huge demand, plus new more efficient desalination technologies, will create enormous profit opportunities and bring new life to arid regions. (Source: World Future Society)

Catawba County Response: Eight-year Capital Improvement Plan for water (and sewer) service projects updated annually with adoption of County budget. Water and sewer program operates as an Enterprise Fund so revenues generated through fees cover costs.

To address the gap in knowledge that will be caused by employees’ moving out of the workplace through retirement, we provide› Supervisory Education

program – to equip new supervisors with the knowledge and skills they will need as they move into these new roles

› Educational Assistance program – to allow employees to prepare themselves for future roles within the County

› Leadership Academy program – to develop potential leaders from within our existing staff

Farmers are aging and industry is major aspect of County’s economic footprint.

Catawba County Response: Established working committee composed of the County’s Agricultural Advisory Board with representatives including producers, distributors, educators, public health, and policymakers. Planning process will take 10-12 months and present opportunities, constraints, and recommended solutions.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking weused when we created them.”

-Einstein

Opportunities for a new kind of citizen engagement by combining interest and intelligence of citizens, weak signals and future trends, and mobile technologies (such as iphone or ipad) to collaborate with local government to address issues.

Opportunities for a deeper collaboration (i.e. public private partnerships)

Evolving technology (i.e. Web 2.0/social media, cloud, and mobile apps)

Reduced funding from state and local government to address community needs.

Need to restore public trust through greater transparency (open communication and accountability

Aging workforce Doing more with less (economic

uncertainty) Green, environmental focus Limitations of outdated taxation

system (i.e. property versus wealth)

Look for “access points” Find a quote, video, article or web site

from someone respected by person or group

Develop an appropriate question within a “futures context”

Facilitate “futures generative dialogue” Build internal and external interlocking

networks to spread ideas