Our Mission
"In its dedication to regional excellence, the Lumber River Council of Governments is
proactive in identifying local and regional needs and the resources to address
those needs in an effective and fair manner."
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March 20, 2019-
Public Records Training
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the LRCOG Office
March 21, 2019-
LRCOG Board Meeting
7:00 pm at the LRCOG Office
March 25, 2019-
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
12:00 pm at the LRCOG Office
March 26, 2019-
Caring for Those Living with Dementia & Managing
Opioid Dependence with Older Adults
8:30 am - 1:30 pm at Richmond Community College: Cole Auditorium
March 27, 2019
- COG Legislative Advocacy Day
at NC General Assembly
April 9, 2019-
NC Disaster Recovery Roundtable
9:30 am at the LRCOG Office
April 18, 2019-
LRCOG Board Meeting
7:00 pm at the LRCOG Office
April 22, 2019-
26th Annual Regional Senior Games Opening Ceremony
9:00 am at Bill Sapp Center, Lumberton
April 26, 2019-
Building Resilience in the Midst of Caregiving
"Caring for the Caregiver"
10:00 am - 3:30 pm at Rockfish Camp & Retreat Center
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The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count.
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To view the pay rate per county click
here.
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U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) currently has resources available to support communities.
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EDA invites applications for construction and technical assistance projects that advance job creation in distressed regions
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites applicants to submit applications to support new construction or renovation of existing public assets that lead to private sector job creation. Examples of recent investments include: water and sewer line upgrades and/or extensions, plant upgrades, tanks, pumps; workforce training centers; access roads; rail spurs; and port improvements that facilitate company expansion in an area. Additionally, EDA funds can support a range of technical assistance projects, including feasibility studies, resiliency strategies, regional export strategies, etc. EDA investments do require matching share funds, generally required at 50% of the project and the asset must be owned, operated, and maintained by a public entity. Interested? Want to brainstorm how this could be leveraged for your community or talk out details? Please contact Hillary Sherman at
hsherman@eda.gov
or 404-730-3013.
EDA invites applications for Regional Innovation Strategy Grant Program
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites applicants to submit applications for its i6 or Seed Fund Competition. Applications are due April 4, 2019. To read the funding announcement, see examples of prior awards, or access Q&As, please go to:
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EDA partners with IEDC to provide free economic development expertise to Hurricane Florence impacted communities
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has partnered with IEDC and is offering communities impacted by Hurricane Florence professional economic developers to help support recovery. Volunteers will be placed in communities for a one-week period to provide specific requested deliverables. Deliverables can range from recovery plans, to finance plans, to downtown revitalization strategies, marketing or branding strategies, or other work. Any community that received a Presidentially Declared Public Assistance Designation as documented in the map available at
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4393
is eligible to request this assistance. Communities may request more than one volunteer. Since Hurricane Katrina, the International Economic Development Council has been working in disaster-impacted communities and has developed volunteer programs for economic recovery and long-term resilience. IEDC's volunteers are available to assist communities and economic development organizations on economic recovery and resiliency projects in your office for one week at no cost. To learn more about the program, please contact Dana Crater at (910) 833-7020 or
dcrater@iedconline.org
or Hillary Sherman at (404) 730-3013 or
hsherman@eda.gov
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Community Development Academy
March 12-14 and April 2-4, 2019
School of Government
UNC-Chapel Hill
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This six-day course covers the concepts, methods, and strategies of community economic development. The course provides community development practitioners with significant perspective and practical skills surrounding community development in North Carolina.
Expert and experienced faculty
In addition to School of Government faculty, participants will hear from state agency staff, federal grant administrators, nonprofit leaders, and other community development practitioners.
Program Topics:
- neighborhood and downtown revitalization
- community development finance
- affordable housing strategies and tools
- role of economic development
- CDBG and related grant programs
- environmental finance
- visioning and citizen participation
- tools for group decision-making
- purchasing and contracting
- measuring success
Scholarships:
The Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) offers scholarships for School of Government courses. For more details and application deadlines, visit
Registration:
To register online and view program details, visit
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UNC Institute for the Environment and Oregon State University partner to understand potential exposures from flooding caused by Hurricane Florence in some of the hardest hit areas in NC. Oregon State University developed silicone wristbands to detect environmental exposures of people living in or working on homes and other properties damaged by hurricane-related flooding.
To find out more information about this study, please visit the website:
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USDA Flood Plain Easement Opportunities Available in
North Carolina
To view the News Release click
here.
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To view this week's highlights, legislative news and additional grant opportunities click
here.
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NC Disaster Recovery Roundtable
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
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Many communities are facing extraordinary challenges in the aftermath of recent disasters. When communities begin to plan their recovery and make decisions, it is often helpful to hear from those who have lived through similar disasters. This event will serve as an opportunity to share with community leaders about recovery and rebuilding after a disaster. Additionally, the event will feature targeted discussions on cost of recovery and financial concerns.
To register please click
here.
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Congratulations
AARP presented "An Evening of Inspiration" on December 14, 2018; during the event AARP awarded the Lumber River Council of Governments and it's Area Agency on Aging for all the hard work and dedication during Hurricane Florence.
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LRCOG's Board of Directors Advance
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The Lumber River Council of Governments’ Board of Directors conducts an annual advance for the purposes of building better intergovernmental working relations, helping its local government leaders stay educated and attuned to key issues, and planning agency strategies for coming years. This year’s Annual COG Board Advance was held February 22-23, 2019, at the Mayfaire Homewood Suites in Wilmington, NC. This year's theme was "LRCOG Vision 2020."
The LRCOG board members started the first day of their advance with a presentation from Tim Ware, Executive Director at NCARCOG and Chris Wall, Principal at The Policy Group. The topic was "North Carolina Association of Regional Council of Governments (NCARCOGs) and the Forum."
The second session was presented by Twilla Allen, Aging Administrator at the LRCOG. The topic was "The Potential Coming Game Changer: Medicaid Managed Care Organizations," which explored the potential opportunities that exist for the LRCOG and our region's aging partners, such as county divisions on aging, with the induction of Medicaid Managed Care.
Patricia Hammonds, Workforce Development Administrator at the LRCOG, presented "Special Population Work is the Rising Tide," which identified the changes occurring in the workforce development system.
The last session on the first day was, "Meeting Our Members' Planning Needs", held by Jean Klein, Regional Planning Director at the LRCOG. This session provided an overview of the current planning work performed by the LRCOG Community and Economic Services (CES) staff.
The LRCOG board members' last day of the advance was a presentation by Dr. Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Economics at North Carolina State University. The topic was "The State of the Lumber River Region's Economy." This session provided the board with an overview of the current and future state of the North Carolina and Lumber River Region economy.
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COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC SERVICES
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Fifteen New Projects to Enhance Transportation in LRCOG
In January, the N.C. Department of Transportation unveiled its draft 10-Year transportation plan for 2020-2029. The plan, called the Draft 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), includes 15 new projects in the LRCOG region as well as two previously programmed projects with accelerated construction dates.
Click here
to view a list and description of these projects.
Across the state, the Draft 2020-2029 STIP includes 1,663 projects from all modes of transportation. Please
click here
for more information on the plan for the whole state.
"Public Hearings on the draft will be held in the spring. The NCDOT is expected to approve the final STIP in June."
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Senior Games Super Bowl Raffle
Ms. Wendy Chavis of the Robeson County Recreation Department purchased the winning ticket for a 50"LED TV.
This raffle benefits the 2019 Lumber River Regional Senior Games
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United Way of Scotland County Executive Director Coy Moody presented the Lumber River Council of Governments with $50 Walmart gift cards for each home delivered meals client in Scotland County. This gift was made possible through Scotland County United Way and the Carolina Panthers Charities Fund. Julius Peppers, a standout Carolina Panthers player, was instrumental in securing this generous donation. He visited our region during the clean-up of Hurricane Florence and saw first-hand the devastation our communities faced. This was just one way he wanted to “give-back” to those in need.
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Registration is available now for
"Caring for Those Living with Dementia & Managing Opioid Dependence with Older Adults"
workshop on
Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 8:30am-1:30pm, RC Cole Auditorium, 1042 W. Hamlet Avenue, Hamlet, NC 28345.
This workshop is for healthcare professionals and caregivers who work with and care for older adults.
Please join us as we discuss ways to manage and care for patients' living with dementia and the effects of the opioid crisis in older adults.
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Senior Nutrition Program
Would you like to deliver meals to home bound seniors?
Call Floyd Locklear at (910) 618-5533 or
floyd.locklear@lrcog.org
to sign up to deliver meals to home bound seniors in the Laurinburg, Lumberton, Maxton, or Pembroke areas.
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Workforce Development Recognition Banquet
The Lumber River Workforce Development Board hosted recognition banquet on December 18, 2018 with over 75 attendees. The banquet was an opportunity to honor workforce development professionals, Employers and WIOA participants that were nominated for Governor Awards. Employers and WIOA participants were presented with plaques to highlight their accomplishments, hard work and contributions to workforce development in the Lumber River local area. The Lumber River Workforce Development Board Member of the Year, Dr. William Dale McInnis was honored and presented with a plaque for his outstanding contributions to our Lumber River Workforce Development Board.
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The following individuals were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments:
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Richmond County
Phillip Manivong, Adult of the Year
Devon Quick, Young Adult of the Year
RSI Home Products, Employer Award of Distinction
International Textile Group (ITG), Employer Award of Distinction
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Robeson County
Rashet Mickens, Adult of the Year
Tashyrra Grimes, Young Adult of the Year
Porter Scientific, Employer Award of Distinction
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Scotland County
Carol Conroy, Adult of the Year
Tyzhee Brown, Young Adult of the Year
Service Thread, Employer Award of Distinction
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Lumber River Workforce Development Board awarded Finish Line Grant
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Governor Cooper announced the Finish Line Grants program to help community college students who face unforeseen financial emergencies complete their training. The program will leverage up to $7 million in federal funds to help students pay for course materials, housing, medical needs, dependent care, or other financial emergencies that students may face through no fault of their own. The Lumber River Workforce Development Board has been awarded $210,000 in Finish Line Grant money to serve students enrolled at Bladen Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College and Sandhills Community College. To date, 23 community college students have been assisted with unforeseen financial emergencies that may have prohibited their chance at graduating from college. Students seeking assistance can contact the Financial Aid office at their local community college to apply.
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Lumber River Workforce Development Board awarded Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Employment Grant
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The Lumber River COG’s Workforce Development Division is operating a Disaster Relief Employment Program for Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson & Scotland counties. This program provides temporary employees to public and private non-profit employers within communities impacted by Hurricane Florence. Under the employment grant, jobs must be associated with the disaster recovery effort in order to qualify for assistance through the program. Individuals placed under a work experience contract may work up to 12 months or 2080 hours whichever is achieved first.
Currently, participants have been placed at 38 different work sites throughout Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland. These locations include the Lumberton Housing Authority, Robeson County Church and Community Center, Robeson County Administration, Robeson County Fleet Operations, Robeson County Parks and Recreation, United Way of Robeson, Town of Fairmont, Town of Red Springs, Bladen Community College, United Way of Bladen, Town of Bladenboro, Partners in Ministry, Town of Wagram, UNCP, American Indian Mothers, State Line Community Action Association, NC Indian Cultural Center, Town of St.Pauls Public Works, Town of Maxton, Lumbee Tribe of NC, Queheel Fire Department, Town of Parkton, City of Lumberton Recreation Department, Robeson County Housing Authority, Robeson County Disaster Recovery Center, Bladen County Emergency Services and the Town of Dobbin Heights just to name a few. The number of participants continues to grow along with the request from our local public and non-profits agencies.
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233
Participants
38
Work Sites
26
Participants lost home as a result of hurricane
6
Participants
obtained Unsubsidized Employment
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Incumbent Worker Training Grant (IWT)
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Recently, Specialty Product Technologies (SPT) of Elizabethtown, NC submitted and was approved for a new Incumbent Worker Training Grant in the amount of $8,000 for seven (7) employees to complete training and receive IPC-J-STD 001 CIS/CIT Certifications in soldering technology. This certification will provide these employees with opportunities for upward mobility within the company, as well as allowing SPT to maintain compliance with its current business contracts and offers the potential to secure additional contracts from the Department of Defense in the future, stimulating company growth and job creation. Workforce Development staff had previously taken a tour of SPT’s facilities to get a feel for their needs and on January 22, 2019 a mass enrollment and orientation event was held to register SPT’s IWT Grant employees in the WIOA program so that they can begin training. SPT is scheduled to commence training in the coming weeks.
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CONTACT US
Lumber River Council of Governments | Phone: 910-618-5533 | Fax: 910-521-7556
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