... Emerging ideas, inventions, discoveries and innovations that are not yet trends, but have the potential to 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 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 months and present opportunities, constraints, and recommended solutions.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used 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