The Rural Economic Development Institute graduated 32 leaders this month after an intensive, three-month leadership training program.

N.C. Sen. Dan Blue saluted the graduates during ceremonies June 5 at the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. Robert W. Rollins Jr. of Anson County was among the graduates.

"It's important to have strong leaders in times like this," he said, "more important than when times are smooth."

Blue recounted the steps taken during the Great Depression that turned North Carolina into the most progressive state in the South for decades afterward. A similar set of issues faces the state now, he said. "The decisions we make should be the ones that will hold us in high stead years down the road," he said, "not the ones that will hold us in high stead in the next election."

The class of 2009 brings to 807 the number of people who have completed the institute since 1989.

Sponsored annually by the Rural Center, the institute offers an opportunity for leaders in business, government, economic development, civic groups and grassroots organizations to broaden their understanding of rural community and economic development and to hone their personal leadership skills. Participants attend three sessions over the course of three months.

The new graduates are, by county: Anson, Robert W. Rollins Jr; Ashe, Beth Rembert; Beaufort, Lee Padrick; Buncombe, Kristy M. Carter and Karen C. Smith; Chowan, Sarah Jackson; Columbus, Jacquelyn M. Hampton and Frank A. Wilson; Durham, Jeremy Troxler; Edgecombe, Jenny Braswell; Forsyth, Darren E. Rhodes; Halifax, Phyllis D. Chavis; Harnett, Patsy M. Carson; Haywood, Patrick C. Bradshaw; Hyde, Kris Cahoon Noble; Lenoir, Kathy Howard; Madison, Jennifer Flynn; Moore, Tim Emmert; Orange, Michael Flannelly; Person and Caswell, Karen Bowen; Stanly, Kathy Almond; Surry, Lestine H. Hutchens; Vance, Tobais Fullwood; Wake, Donna L. Flick, Misty Herget, Mary Willistine-Holder and Brian Queen; Washington, Latasha McNair; Wilkes, Dwight L. Smith; Wilson, Ricardo Dew; Yadkin, Stephen Hutchens; and Yancey, Jake Blood.

The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. The center operates a multifaceted program that includes conducting research into rural issues; testing promising rural development strategies; advocating for policy and program innovations; and building the productive capacity of rural leaders, entrepreneurs and community organizations.