Region
a
L News You
Can Use
July 2019
|
|
“The Measure of Everyday Life”
On June 5, 2019, Ron Townley, Director of Planning and Development Services at the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments was featured on the Podcast, “The Measure of Everyday Life” on WNCU 90.7 Radio. He was joined by Anne Tazwell Senior Special Projects Manager with the Clean Energy Technology Center of NC State University, and Daniel Kauffman, Founder and President of Enpira, as they discussed how people with low household income can face challenges in achieving energy efficiency that could ease some cost concerns, reminding us all that home energy use isn’t just a matter of comfort, but also one of health and wellness. The interview came as a result of the conclusion of the
Powering Energy Efficiency Impacts project
.
|
|
Board names new county manager
Charles M. Jackson was announced as the new Northampton County Manager Monday by members of the Northampton County Board of Commissioners. The announcement came after the board held a closed session meeting that lasted almost an hour. The purpose of the special called meeting was to discuss personnel issues.
Jackson, a Whiteville native currently living and working in Richmond, Virginia, was one of more than 30 people who applied for the job, said Northampton County Interim County Manager Robert Murphy, following the meeting's adjournment. Jackson will take over from Murphy starting July 15 at a salary of $95,000 per year, according to Northampton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charles Tyner.
|
|
Locals invest, rebuild downtown Wilson
The Upper Coastal Plain Business Development Center has office spaces starting at $200 that include broadband internet, utilities and more. There are about 30 lockable cubicles that can be rented, a few individual offices and the bulk of the second floor.
“I think the Business Development Center offices provides a good, affordable space for new businesses to operate in downtown Wilson,” said Robert Hiett, executive director for the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Government. “Its proximity to other organizations and technology resources and access to community-level events make downtown Wilson a great place to do business.”
|
|
Wilson Forward director graduates leadership program
P
aula Benson of Wilson Forward graduated June 6 from the N.C. Rural Center’s Rural Economic Development Institute, an intensive, three-month training program designed for rural community leaders.
Rural Center President Patrick Woodie presented certificates to the program’s 30 graduates during a recent ceremony at the N.C. Rural Center.
“The three-month experience of the Rural Economic Development Institute provided new perspectives and innovative ideas that will support the local mission and focus of Wilson Forward,” Benson said. “I had the opportunity to learn from leaders representing all areas of our state, and I appreciated their insight in many topics that connected to our work in wellness, education and workforce development. The graduates from all 29 classes of REDI provide a strong network of leaders for the future, and I am eager to build on those connections as we continue our work in communities across North Carolina.”
|
|
Town of Spring Hope gets New Police Chief
Southern Nash News
Mark Cone
Tue, Jun 18, 2019
Spring Hope has named Sgt. Nathan D. Gant its next police chief, promoting a veteran lawman with two decades of experience to lead the agency where he's worked since 2015.
Gant's tenure as the Spring Hope Police Department's leader begins Wednesday, according to town officials. He succeeds Chief Anthony Puckett, who was hired as Nashville's new police chief.
“Being chosen as the new chief of police for Spring Hope is the high point of my career,” Gant said. “I am humbled by the confidence the town leadership has placed in me. I plan to provide a safe environment for all residents and visitors by leading this agency based on trust and transparency.”
|
|
Town of Nashville gets New Police Chief
Southern Nash News
Mark Cone
Fri, Jun 07, 2019
Spring Hope’s police chief is headed to Nashville to take the chief’s position left vacant there when former Nashville Chief Tom Bashore stepped down in December to work for the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association.
who was raised in the Gold Valley community and is a 1990 graduate of Southern Nash High School, has led the Spring Hope department for the last five years making sweeping changes to the department that saw an increase in personnel, upgrades in equipment, implementation of numerous community relations programs, the addition of a full-time K9 officer, pay increases for officers, and much more.
|
|
Bailey commissioners approved a resolution Monday evening to move forward in the town’s efforts to secure $2 million in federal grant funding
As reported by LaMonique Hamilton Barnes of The Enterprise,
Bailey commissioners approved a resolution Monday evening to move forward in the town’s efforts to secure $2 million in federal grant funding in hopes of beginning the work to lift its 16-year sewer moratorium.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant is an income-based program that “helps local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities,” according to its website.
Joe Dooley of the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
provided commissioners with a proposed target area of streets based on need in order to survey residents who possibly meet the income thresholds necessary to qualify for the grant.
|
|
Running Clear: Preventing Private Water Sources from Becoming a Health Hazard in Rural America
Everyone depends on clean water to stay healthy. But for some rural Americans, clean water is not a guarantee.
With the introduction of the 1974
Safe Drinking Water Act
enacted by Congress, public water systems are subject to regulations enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The intent is to ensure that water sources are protected and purified from naturally occurring and man made contaminants. But ....
|
|
N.C. Association of Municipal Clerks Summer Conference
Registration is now open for the 2019 NCAMC Summer Municipal Conference, held in Wilkesboro on August 15-17. Academy I on August 15 will feature sessions taught by Tim Conner, a speaker and author who focus on leadership and management topics. Academy II on August 16 -17, will include sessions on the public records law, municipal business registration programs, emergency preparedness for municipalities, the 2020 Census, Powell Bill rules, and the 2019 legislative update.
Use this link
to register and for more details on certification points.
|
|
N.C. Association of Municipal Attorneys Summer Conference
Registration is now open for the N.C. Association of Municipal Attorneys Summer Conference, August 1-3 at the Asheville Renaissance Hotel. This conference is a chance to become better acquainted with your colleagues from across the state, with networking and a continuing legal education program tailored to the needs and interests of municipal practitioners, offering a full 6 hours of CLE credit, including one hour of ethics. To learn more about the conference and for registration information, please
use this link
.
|
|
July 29-August 1|Chapel Hill
This introductory course is designed for economic development professionals employed by public, nonprofit, and private organizations and individuals new to the field. It is also appropriate for more experienced professionals seeking to update their knowledge and skills. The course is a comprehensive educational experience that integrates theoretical and practical perspectives and provides participants with the foundation needed to organize, plan, and implement economic development programs. Expert instructors will cover trends, strategies, and the core tools of the trade. The course is officially accredited by the International Economic Development Council and counts toward the CEcD certification.
|
|
September 5-6|Chapel Hill
This two-day course provides a basic introduction to planning and development regulation offered annually in the fall.
This course is intended for planning and zoning staff, practitioners and staff in related areas, and interested citizen board members. For some staff members, this course alone may be sufficient, while for others, this will serve as the initial class in a multi-course curriculum.
This course is a pre-requisite to the following courses: Zoning Practice, Subdivision Practice, and Zoning Officials Certification.
|
|
October 16-18|Chapel Hill
This three-day intermediate course investigates zoning authority, procedures, and administration, including decision-making procedure, permitting and enforcement, and limits on zoning. This course is offered annually in the fall.
This course is for intermediate planning and zoning staff with responsibilities for drafting and administering zoning ordinances.
Topics will include decision procedures, quasi-judicial decisions, limitations and regulations of particular uses, administration, and other zoning issues.
|
|
Communities Responding to the Opioid Crisis Webinar Series
The UNC School of Government is hosting a series of webinars focusing on the opioid crisis. Registration is free, and the series is coordinated by UNC School of Government Opioid Response Project with generous support from Blue Cross NC. When you register you will automatically be signed up for all three webinars. If you are unable to participate in any of the live webinars, you will have the option to watch the On Demand recorded version. The dates for the webinars are:
- July 18, 2019 1:00-2:30 PM - Community Outreach and Education
- August 15, 2019 1:00-2:30 PM - Syringe Exchange Program
This webinar will provide an introduction to treatment options for opioid use disorder, including medication-assisted treatment, and the webinar will explore efforts in communities in Lenoir County and Wilkes County to expand and improve treatment options. Please
use this link
to register.
|
|
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites applicants to submit applications for construction or non-construction projects that advance economic development objectives. Grants made under the agency’s Public Works program and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs help fund the construction of new public assets or the renovation of existing public assets that foster job creation or job retention. Investments can support a range of activities, including but not limited to construction or improvements to water/sewer lines, tanks, systems, pumps; incubators; access roads; workforce training facilities; port improvements; and other similar projects; highest and best use analysis, feasibility studies, and more. EDA accepts applications on a rolling basis. To learn more and to discuss potential projects, please contact Hillary Sherman at 404.730.3013 or
hsherman@eda.gov
. To access the funding notice and application forms, please go to:
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=306735&utm_content=&utm
|
|
ACL Releases a New
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program Cooperative Agreement Grant Opportunity
There are two application options contained in the single funding announcement: Grants to States (Option A) and Grants to Communities (Option B).
No entity is eligible to apply for both State and Community options.
The dementia-capable systems resulting from program activities under either option are expected to provide quality, person-centered services and supports that help people living with dementia and their caregivers remain independent and safe in their communities.
Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. There will be an informational call on this funding opportunity on June 25, 2019. You can find information about the call in the announcement.
This grant opportunity closes on August 13, 2019.
|
|
BUILD Grant Funding Opportunity
The US Department of Transportation just announced the 2019 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity. USDOT encourages prospective applicants to register for an
informational webinar
. Eligible applicants for
BUILD Transportation
grants are State, local and tribal governments. The application deadline is July 15.
|
|
USDA provides grant resources for housing rehabilitation in rural areas
T
he United States Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the repair or rehabilitation of housing owned or occupied by low-income rural citizens. Eligible entities include nonprofits (with demonstrated capacity), but only areas with populations of 20,000 or less are eligible to apply. The application deadline is July 8. To learn more, please go to:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/housing-preservation-grants
|
|
Specialized Housing and Services for Victims of Human Trafficking,
FR-6300-N-45
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:Yes
Version:Synopsis 3 Posted Date:Jul 02, 2019 Last Updated Date:Jul 02, 2019
Original Closing Date for Applications:Oct 30, 2019
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.Current Closing Date for Applications:Oct 30, 2019 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.Archive Date:Nov 29, 2019
Estimated Total Program Funding:$14,500,000
Award Ceiling:$1,000,000
Award Floor:$500,000
Eligible Applicants:City or township governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Private institutions of higher education, State governments, County governments, Small businesses, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Special district governments, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
Additional Information on Eligibility:Human Trafficking Program Eligible Applicants:
For the purposes of housing and trauma-informed, client centered services under this NOFA, of which $13,500,000 is available, additional eligible applicants, and subrecipients, defined as other governments, e.g., town, borough, parish, village or other general purpose political subdivision of a state, territory, or federally recognized Indian tribe government. Additionally, institutions of higher education are eligible if they hold an IRS 501(c)(3) final determinate letter.
|
|
House Approves Long-Term Extension for Money Follows the Person
This week, the House passed a 4.5-year extension for the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. The bipartisan EMPOWER Care Act (H.R. 3253) was adopted by a bipartisan vote of 371-46. If your Representative
voted for this bill
, please consider thanking them for supporting MFP reauthorization. Advocacy efforts must now turn to the Senate where there is not yet a companion bill to the House-passed measure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
