Staff report

SALISBURY — Donnie Charleston, formerly with the N.C. State University Institute for Emerging Issues, will speak about the 2018 economic outlook at the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Power in Partnership breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at Trinity Oaks, 728 Klumac Road.

Charleston spoke at the Growing Rowan meeting in June, summarizing economic indicators for growth. He is a native of Salisbury.

Before joining the Institute for Emerging Issues, Charleston was a fiscal analyst for the N.C. General Assembly. He has also previously worked as a research and policy analyst for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, where he examined issues of local government, taxation and finance.

Charleston is a graduate of N.C. Central University, where he received his master’s degree in sociology. Donnie entered the doctoral program at N.C. State, where he focused on the sociology of the economy and industry.

Charleston has written several publications on workforce development, deindustrialization and the history of agribusiness in North Carolina.

The dates for the remaining 2018 PIP series are Feb. 15, which will focus on entrepreneurial development; March 15, which will focus on agribusiness; and April 19, which will focus on health care.

The last in the series will be the Leadership Rowan Graduation, held May 17.

For those without a Power Card, individual reservations must be made by 5 p.m. Jan. 16.

The cost is $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. The price includes breakfast.

Contact the chamber for information on reservations or sponsorship opportunities at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com.