LRCOG News & Updates
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."
We hope that you have been enjoying our weekly COVID-19 update blast and that the information contained has been beneficial.

As new information related to COVID-19 is slowing we will be transitioning our weekly blast to a twice a month format. Our blast will now come out only on the first and third Fridays of each month. We will also be transitioning the blast to a broader scope of information on non-COVID related topics such as new funding opportunities. 

We hope that you will continue to find benefit from the new format as we share information relevant to our Lumber River region. Our next blast will be released on August 7, 2020 and each first and third Fridays thereafter.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
Nutrition Program

Region N Nutrition Providers continue to serve the older adults in our region during this unprecedented time.
Bladen Division on Aging
LRCOG Area Agency on Aging
(Serving Robeson & Scotland Counties)
Richmond County Aging Services
Senior Services of Hoke County
Nominate Your Civic Volunteers and Volunteer Organizations for the Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award

CivicCMS has announced a program to recognize small-town volunteers and volunteer organizations that are making a difference in their communities. This initiative will recognize 100 citizens or citizen organizations for their commitment to increasing local engagement in communities of 5,000 people or less. The top three award winners will receive cash awards of $10,000, $7,500, and $5,000 for their respective communities. Local government representatives may nominate citizens and/or citizen organizations for the award through the online application. Nominators are asked to describe their candidates compelling story of local volunteerism and its impact on their community. Applications are due no later than August 1 . Winners will be announced on September 15. For more information, please visit the CivicCMS webpage and view this page for frequently asked questions . To nominate a citizen and/or citizen organization, please use this online form.
Announcements
North Carolina Will Continue To Pause In Safer At Home Phase 2

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 151
State-Centric Non-Congregate Sheltering Program

The North Carolina non-congregate sheltering program is a collaborative effort between the State, counties and local partners to secure hotel and motel rooms, as well as essential wrap-around services, for individuals with no other safe place to quarantine, isolate, or social distance due to COVID-19. Non-congregate sheltering is a critical tool in our efforts to keep North Carolinians safe and healthy, and is a strategy recommended and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support COVID-19 mitigation. NC Emergency Management (NCEM) and DHHS are working together to provide increased support to counties and local partners as they work to expand access to non-congregate sheltering.
Governor Will Not Extend Utility Shutoff Order

Gov. Roy Cooper has announced that he will not extend the utility shutoff moratorium created by Executive Order 124. That order "will be expiring at the end of this month," the governor said in a letter Friday to utility providers, "but I want to stress that the section of the Order pertaining to repayment plans of at least six months will remain in place. I encourage you to reach out to your customers not only to set up these plans, but to also connect them with any available relief that can help them avoid utility disconnections."
National Association on Counties

NEW Webinar Series on Health Equity and Social Solidarity in the Time of Pandemic: Strategies for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

The series highlights the challenges communities are facing as they respond to COVID-19 and its impacts and serves as an opportunity for community leaders across the nation to learn from lead researchers, policymakers and each other.

Exploring Guaranteed Income as a Strategy to Address Income Inequality

COVID-19: Disproportionate Impact on Black Communities

COVID-19: Disproportionate Impact on Tribal Nations

US COVID-19 Mapping: Bridging Data with Historical Context
Recording Will Be Available At A Later Date

Responding to Crisis in the Latino Population with an Equity Lens
Thursday, August 13 at 3pm ET
School of Government's
Local Leaders Academy Courses
LEGAL COMPETENCY FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
July 31, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS: FROM PANDEMIC TO PROTESTS
Aug 24,10:00 am – 12:00pm

LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL CONTROL
Sept 25,10:00 – 2:00 pm

Previous Webinars

Efforts to continue prepared food distributions during school closures for children who qualify for free and reduced price school nutrition programs.

Working with local farmers to source and distribute food supplies and provide weekend family meals to supplement school nutrition programs.

Using vacant buildings, open spaces, and closed restaurants with refrigerated storage to provide sites for food distribution and safe supply.

Keeping food-related businesses in business.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Website
North Carolina COVID-19 Information Hub
Resources
Checklist for Developing a Reopening Plan
All businesses and employers should create and implement a plan to minimize the opportunity for COVID-19 transmission at their facility. When developing these plans, there may be certain considerations to follow for compliance with applicable Executive Orders and guidance provided for individual business types. This checklist will help retail businesses and other entities reduce the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
Prevent and Protect Media Toolkit

To help you get out the word about North Carolina’s ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and expand testing and contact tracing, DHHS is providing the social media resources and flyers.
EPA Announces Release of
Water Utility COVID-19 Financial Impact Tool

EPA released a new tool to help water utilities assess the financial impact of COVID-19 on operations. Throughout the COVID-19 national health emergency—and as communities across the country reopen—water utilities have reliably provided safe drinking water and critical wastewater services. This new tool will help provide important information about the financial and operational health of water utilities, which play an integral role in protecting human health and the environment for our nation.
Interactive Quarterly
Revenue Report
Full analysis of sales tax and other key revenues from the third quarter of the current fiscal year is now available in the League’s latest quarterly Revenue Report. The interactive report also now includes April and May sales tax collections and Q3 utility tax data.
No-Cost Webinars for North Carolina Small Water Systems

“Using Free Financial Tools for Decision-making in North Carolina” (July 30)

We will discuss how to access and use spreadsheet tools from the Environmental Finance Center Network to assist in financial management decisions. These tools can be used to forecast revenue losses from COVID-19 conditions, assess the financial performance of a water system Enterprise Fund, assess and set rates that will generate enough revenues to cover expenses, determine water rate affordability for different customer groups, and identify funding sources.
“Asset Management and Capital Planning Basics for Small Water Systems in North Carolina” (August 4)
We will discuss asset management, a process or program that allows water system managers and operators to take stock of its assets and plan for their eventual replacement or repair. It is an essential best management practice for all water systems. Implementing an asset management plan also provides additional incentives when applying for subsidized funding for capital projects in North Carolina. This webinar will introduce the basics of asset management and capital planning for small water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people in North Carolina.

Funding Opportunities
US Economic Development Administration (EDA) CARES Act Recovery Assistance

EDA has released funding made available through the CARES ACT to facilitate economic recovery.
There is robust demand. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.
Requirements for Complete CARES Act Application
Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) BAND-NC Grant
The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State (IEI) in partnership with the Broadband Infrastructure Office at the NC Department of Information Technology, is addressing the digital divide across NC through a new program called “Building a New Digital Economy” (BAND-NC). BAND-NC will provide rapid-response community innovation mini-grants to communities across the state.
Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF) Disaster Assistance Grants for Historic Resources

Who May Apply For Grants
Local governmental units (including Councils of Government) and non-profit organizations can apply to use the Florence and Michael ESHPF Disaster Relief Grants. 
Your project must be located in one of the 61 eligible counties and involve properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is Grant Funding For 
  • Architectural and archaeological survey and inventory of historic resources to determine eligibility, degree of damage, and provide preparedness for future disasters.
  • Planning (known as pre-development) activities toward future stabilization and/or repair of damaged historic properties.
  • Brick and mortar work (known as development) to stabilize and/or repair damaged historic properties.
  • The execution of projects to mitigate the threat of damage to eligible historic properties from future natural disasters.


Request An Application Package 

Application packages can be requested by email at hurricane.grants@ncdcr.gov . The package consists of a guide to completing the application and the application form.

The application deadline is August 14, 2020 at 4 p.m.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Small Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and non-profit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments.
NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program
Funding will provide loans to help small businesses suffering economic losses related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan program supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they grapple with, and recover from, the economic impact of COVID-19. This rapid recovery loan helps small businesses bridge the gap between when crisis strikes and when federal loans and other relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover. The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan is supported by North Carolina entities and is for North Carolina businesses. It is designed to complement federal and other assistance programs, but it is not directly associated with the Small Business Administration (SBA).
North Carolina Neighborhood Revitalization Program  Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-NR)
Deadline Extended to 4:00 PM Monday, August 31, 2020

While the CDBG-CV program is being planned , non-entitlement local units of government are encouraged to apply for the NC Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CDBG-NR) to assist with local needs identified by the community in collaboration with state and/or local health officials to prepare, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus. Projects could include, but are not limited to, stabilizing housing, rehabilitating homes for vulnerable populations, and re-purposing buildings into patient treatment centers. Please note that NR does not include any CARES Act funds, but rather using the regular CDBG program funding.
FY 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs including CARES Act Funding
Additional Funding Opportunity

Duke Energy Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant
Application period open July 15 – Aug. 31; grant decisions by Oct. 31

This grant program will award $25,000 grants for general operating funds to North Carolina nonprofits dedicated to the fight for social justice and racial equity. Grants will empower nonprofits that are led by, and provide services to, communities of color. North Carolina will hold a social justice and racial equity grant cycle annually for at least three years.
Division of Water Infrastructure
Funding Programs Available in Fall 2020 Funding Round
Suggested Read
Let's Get
Back On The Bull

How Durham built behavioral ‘nudges’ into its reopening plans
CONTACT US

Lumber River Council of Governments | Phone: 910-618-5533 | Fax: 910-521-7556