​Don’t forget your roots

Over the years, Durham has experienced rapid and significant economic growth that has traded the declining tobacco industries of old in for newly minted tech startups. The Economist recently reported that since 2001, Durham’s growth has been particularly unusual, with the city’s GDP per capita growing faster than the state’s at a whopping ratio of 28 percent to North Carolina’s three. Durham joins other high-flying cities across the United States, in outpacing its state’s economic growth. In each of these complex landscapes, urban-rural inequality persists, and growth often benefits some more than others even within the city itself.

Still as Durham continues to grow, many have pursued positive programs within the city's revitalization efforts. The Atlantic wrote last month that unlike development in Silicon Valley, Durham startups have committed to providing opportunities to a more diverse entrepreneurs and investors. In a commendable move, American Underground has developed a partnership with North Carolina Central University, a historically black college, to involve minority students in the growing business space. Durham’s startup culture has sets itself apart from the others by stressing inclusivity and service to the community. The success of such efforts points to a future for the growth and better harnessing of the local workforce.

Amid this development, Duke has had varying roles in Durham’s rise. As we have written, Duke has a significant stake in Durham’s gentrification and in the creation of job in previously under-invested areas. Duke is the largest employer in the city and has invested in much of Durham’s land. We have noted before how Duke has latched on to the startup fever that is central to Durham’s rapid development for better or worse. With the creation of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship certificate and encouragement of angel investing, students are better able now to engage with the entrepreneurship environment through startups of their own.

Turning to the question of Duke’s role in the divergence of Durham from the rest of North Carolina, Duke has an essential role in the growth that has led to the discrepancy. With three top universities in the Triangle Area, there is a wealth of intellectual and human capital that is attractive to business development. This has not been true for the rest of the state. Additionally, the area has also been attractive to companies that require skills that many around the state and even many in Durham do not have, which makes it harder to integrate Durham and the broader North Carolinian community into the city’s newfound success.

With Duke’s continued commitment to becoming a “global” university, we have to be especially mindful to challenge ourselves to continue to invest in and engage with North Carolina. Taking steps to ensure low-cost housing for the poor most affected by the influx of new businesses and hires is a step in the right direction. Taking up the question of living wages for University employees is also an essential step to ensuring all options are on the table. This problem is not unique to Duke at a university and development in Durham is increasingly complex. However, we have a responsibility to ensure Duke’s role in any development is a helpful one.