Robert Hiett
Executive Director
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Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 |
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U.S. Economic Development Administration Unveils Updated Investment Priorities
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that it has updated its investment priorities.
EDA’s investment priorities provide an overarching framework to ensure that our investment portfolio – ranging from planning to infrastructure construction - contributes to local efforts to build, improve, or better leverage economic assets that allow businesses to succeed and regional economies to prosper and become more resilient.
The updated investment priorities support the U.S. Commerce Department’s agenda, which is driven by four pillars to increase American competitiveness:
- Revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and developing advanced industries
- Building a 21st century workforce
- Maintaining leadership in global innovation
- Promoting American businesses, at home and abroad.
Notably, ‘Equity’ has been added to the top of the investment priority list. EDA is committed to working with populations and underserved communities that have been denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic prosperity in the past.
Understanding that innovation is the backbone of our economy and that we must invest to grow the businesses of the future, including those that address climate change, Technology-based economic development and Environmentally-Sustainable Development have been added as priorities. And, coal and power plant communities are specifically addressed under the Recovery & Resiliency priority. EDA’s commitment to supporting strategies that advance workforce development, manufacturing, and export/foreign direct investment strategies remains unwavering.
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NC Gains Seat in US House
The US Census Bureau has released the 2020 Census Apportionment (total state populations) data. The national population is 331,449,281 and North Carolina's population is 10,453,948. North Carolina has gained a seat in the US House of Representatives based on the 2020 Count.
Apportionment data is the total state population used to determine the allocation of seats in the US House of Representatives. 2020 Census data for counties, cities, and towns will be released with the Redistricting release in September and the interim Redistricting release in August.
The data is available here:
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NC By Train: Third Stop, Rocky Mount
The Our State Guide to NC By Train
Black-and-white photos from the 1930s reveal just how swanky train travel could be — passengers dressed to the nines, dining on fine china, and playing cards while the countryside whizzed by. Almost a century later, we still think it’s a pretty romantic way to travel. These days, comfort and ease is the name of the game, as passengers zip past new scenery in plush, spacious seating. Whether they’re using the train’s Wi-Fi to catch up on work, reading a book, or reconnecting with friends and family, a sense of adventure abounds. Best of all, there’s no traffic to contend with — and you can even bring your bike on board.
In this series, we’ll share ideas to get you excited about jumping on a train to explore the state! Find out where to go, what to do, and what to eat in downtowns across North Carolina — all within walking distance of the train station. This month, we’re heading to Rocky Mount.
As the northbound train pulls into Rocky Mount’s Helen P. Gay Train Station, an excited 5-year-old presses his face to the glass window, yells for his mom’s attention, and points toward a giant mural featuring two trains. The colorful, 125-foot long, 32-foot-high showstopper is a nod to the railways that helped build the town and a hint of the adventure that awaits in historic Rocky Mount.
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ACL is announcing two new elder justice funding opportunities including:
- grants to state Adult Protective Services (APS) systems to address the effects of the opioid epidemic,
- grants to state courts to assess guardianship/conservatorship proceedings and support individuals at risk of guardianship/conservatorship, and
- grants to non-profits to assess effective transitions from short-term APS interventions to long-term community-based services.
Grants to Enhance State Adult Protective Services
The purpose of this program is to provide funding to states to enhance their APS systems statewide, as well as to improve the quality and quantity of data submitted to ACL's National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS).
This funding will support demonstration projects identifying effective actions that reduce the harm older adults and adults with disabilities involved with APS experience as a result of the opioid epidemic. ACL expects documented improvements in the experiences, well-being, and outcomes of individuals who are served by APS and who are experiencing the negative impact of the opioid epidemic.
ACL plans to award approximately three cooperative agreements to state governments. This funding opportunity closes on May 23, 2021.
Elder Justice Innovation Grants
The purpose of this program is to support the development and advancement of innovations around new and emerging issues related to elder justice with documented effective outcomes. Projects contribute to field of elder abuse prevention and intervention in many ways including by developing programs, interventions, and materials that can be widely disseminated or replicated and by contributing to the evidence-base of elder justice knowledge.
ACL will award approximately 16 cooperative agreements to domestic public or private non-profit entities. There are two options available for applicants;
- Option 1 is limited to the highest court of each state to assess the fairness, effectiveness, timeliness, safety, integrity, and accessibility of adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and develop innovations to improve the experiences of individuals at risk of guardianship/conservatorship.
- Option 2 is open to all applicants to assess and understand the various community services that produce better outcomes for persons transitioning from short-term APS interventions to the broader community-based services and programs (including Older Americans Act programs) that remediate and prevent recurrence of abuse over the longer term.
This grant opportunity closes on May 24, 2021.
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The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications from communities for the 2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The program provides funding for municipalities across the state to develop comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans. There are several plan options available to meet specific community needs.
All North Carolina municipalities are eligible to apply for a standard bike or pedestrian plan (application). Additionally, the following options are available:
- Counties with population of less than 50,000 may apply for a bicycle or pedestrian plan.
- Smaller municipalities with populations of less than 10,000 can apply to develop combined bicycle and pedestrian plans.
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Municipalities of less than 5,000 population may apply for a project acceleration plan (application) – an abbreviated plan primarily focusing on priority project identification and implementation.
- Municipalities (and counties with populations of less than 50,000) who currently have bicycle plans and/or pedestrian plans, either through this grant program or otherwise, may apply for a plan update (application) provided the existing plan is at least five years old.
The deadline for application, to be submitted electronically, is Wednesday June 30 at 5 p.m. Award recipients will be notified by September 2021.
This program is sponsored by the department’s Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and the Transportation Planning Division. Since 2004, over $7 million have been awarded through this program to 226 municipalities and 6 counties across the state.
A webinar will be scheduled for May 12, 2021 to describe the grant program and to respond to any questions from potential applicants.
For more information on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative, contact Bryan Lopez at (919) 707-2606 or balopez@ncdot.gov.
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The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites applicants to submit applications under its Public Works program and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Through these programs, EDA invites applications to request grant assistance for clearly defined construction or non-construction assistance projects that will advance job creation, job retention and private investment or enhance economic development decision-making, respectfully.
Through EDA’s grant programs construction may support the construction of new public assets or the renovation of existing public assets, which include but are not limited to water/sewer lines, tanks, systems, pumps; incubators; access roads; workforce training facilities; commercialization centers; port improvements; and other similar projects. EDA’s non-construction projects can support a wide array of activities, including highest and best use analysis, cluster and supply chain mapping studies, and regional technical assistance projects. Matching share funds are required and must be committed at the time of the project and for the same scope of work. For Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs the match is generally 50 percent, although communities may qualify for a higher grant rate.
To learn more and to discuss potential projects, please contact Hillary Sherman at hsherman@eda.gov.
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The Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) has been awarded a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist rural and small community residential commingled or source-separated recycling programs in North and South Carolina. The purpose of this grant will fund the purchase and distribution of education and outreach materials for these communities in order to help educate citizens on what can be recycled in their respective communities and to combat recycling contamination.
Application Due Date:
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Friday, May 14, 2021.
Eligible Entities:
- Rural local governments, defined as counties, municipalities, councils of governments, and solid waste authorities in North and South Carolina.
- Private or nonprofit haulers that provide recycling collection services to rural communities.
- Programs offering residential curbside collection or county convenience center drop-off recycling programs.
- For the purpose of this grant, a rural community as defined by USDA has a population of 10,000 or less.
Available Funding:
Actual funds will not be dispersed to the community. A selection of targeted outreach and educational materials will be ordered and purchased by CRA on behalf of the community and direct mailing of materials will also be paid by CRA.
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Duke Energy Foundation Accepting Grants Through the Hometown Revitalization Grant
The Duke Energy Foundation is accepting applications through the Hometown Revitalization Grant Program to support small businesses in pivoting to be competitive in response to changing business conditions. This grant program is open to nonprofits classified as 501(c)(3) organizations and 20 awards will be made to communities to help them support small businesses. Applications are being accepted through May 31, 2021.
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USDA Accepting Applications for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
The US Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for Distance Learning and Telemedicine program grants to provide educational and medical services in rural areas. Applications are accepted through June 4, 2021.
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U.S. DOT Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for RAISE Grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) making $1 billion available in FY 2021 discretionary grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program, formerly known as BUILD or TIGER grants. Projects for RAISE funding will be evaluated based on merit criteria that include safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership. DOT will prioritize projects that can demonstrate improvements to racial equity, reduce impacts of climate change, and create good-paying jobs. The maximum grant award size is $25 million for this round of RAISE grants and up to $30 million will be awarded for planning grants. The deadline to submit an application is July 12, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET. For more information about this NOFO, click here.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE INVESTS $1.2 MILLION IN CARES ACT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE TO EXPAND BROADBAND CAPACITY IN NORTH CAROLINA
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the city of Wilson, North Carolina, to increase broadband capacity and bolster the region’s ability to withstand future economic disruptions. This EDA grant, to be matched with $300,000 in local investment, is expected to create 39 jobs.
“President Biden is committed to unleashing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will expand access to broadband, connecting more businesses and families to the internet, while providing opportunities for economic development.”
“The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation implement strategies to mitigate economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This EDA investment will deploy 28 miles of fiber infrastructure to boost broadband capacity, paving the way for increased business growth and economic development in the region.”
“This CARES Act funding will help the Wilson boost its connectivity,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Highspeed internet is foundational to economic prosperity, and I look forward to continuing to work with federal partners to invest in this critical infrastructure.”
“Last year, Congress passed the historic CARES Act to address some of the nation’s most pressing needs in the midst of the pandemic, including the need for reliable, high-speed internet for both rural and urban areas,” said Senator Richard Burr. “I’m pleased that this funding has been awarded to the city of Wilson to strengthen the area’s economy by enhancing its broadband capacity.”
“As students, workers, and small business owners continue to work from home, the need for fast, reliable internet has never been more evident,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “I was proud to support the CARES Act last year to make this grant possible and am pleased that the city of Wilson will have increased broadband capability and economic development opportunities as a result.”
This project was made possible by the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments’ regional planning efforts, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136 PDF), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
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In March, The NC Rural Center announced the launch of the North Carolina Small Business Coalition and its accompanying policy agenda, North Carolina’s New Small Business Plan. The policy agenda was crafted by the Rural Center's Small Business Policy Task Force, and is aimed at ensuring that entrepreneurs and small-business owners from all walks of life have equal access to the capital, resources, and tools they need to prosper.
Now is the time to advocate for and implement long-term and statewide policy solutions to stabilize the economic vitality of our state’s small-businesses. Will you join us?
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Deepen your knowledge and understanding of current solar PV + storage systems with one of our upcoming Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series courses.
Upcoming courses moved to a virtual classroom include:
Students must attend virtual courses from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day the course is offered. These courses feature live instructors and will not be recorded.
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Electric Vehicles Are Paving the Way for Emission-Free Transportation
Electric vehicles are gaining popularity as the cost of batteries continues to decrease, and may are beginning to gravitate towards them to not only help save the the environment but also to help them save money. Electric vehicles (EVs) are transforming the automotive industry worldwide, with global sales increasing by 43 percent in 2020.
"There are numerous purely automotive reasons to electrify, including noise, vibration and harshness, driver feel, packaging flexibility and acceleration performance," Dave Erb, a retired automotive engineer who has been driving an EV since 2016, noted.
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Energy Storage at Electric Cooperatives: State and Local Policy Factors
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) has been working with the Solar-Plus for Electric Cooperatives (SPECs) project, part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Solar Energy Innovation Network, to help develop resources to assist rural electric cooperatives to procure energy storage.
DSIRE Insight team member David Sarkisian has led the SPECs research for the policy review, and identified several state and local policy factors relevant to energy storage at electric cooperatives, which are discussed below. Please check the NCCETC and SPECs project websites later this spring to see the full white paper and other resources.
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Save the Date for the 2021 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference!
Every Tuesday and Thursday, September 9 - October 19, 2-3:30 pm
Additional details about the format of the 2021 conference will be announced soon.
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
The NCCETC is seeking proposals for session topics and specific presentations for SFT 2021.
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The next NENC Pathways meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 17th from 10am-11:30am. This will be our Partner Showcase, sharing success stories and innovative ideas from across the region. Email Brandi your suggestions for local programs to be highlighted, and save the date! Registration will open for this event in May.
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May 13, 2021
Attend Via Zoom
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Does your community have the ingredients to stimulate investment and to create jobs and wealth in an uncertain economy?
This one-day workshop covers promising strategies and tools for promoting economic development in the face of changing fiscal and economic conditions.
Lead faculty member Jonathan Morgan will help participants understand what is required to attract and support private investment in their communities. Participants will examine various economic development strategies and tools and consider how local governments in partnership with the nonprofit and private sectors, can help facilitate the process of creating jobs and wealth.
Program Topics:
· An Overview of Economic Development: Trends and Strategies
· Building an Effective Economic Development Program
· North Carolina Economic Development Toolbox
· Best Practices and Opportunities in your Region
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Money Follows the Person Program Extended Through 2023 with Modified Eligibility
The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, which has helped more than 100,000 individuals transition from Medicaid institutional care to community living since 2005, has been extended through 2023. Enacted late in 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 extends funding for the program and makes two important changes to participant eligibility.
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New n4a Publications Highlight Innovations in Brain Health and Housing and Homelessness Programs Serving Older Adults
n4a’s Capacity Building Initiative has released two new publications that highlight some of the innovative work AAAs and Title VI Aging Programs are doing to tackle the critical issues of brain health and housing and homelessness among older adults in their communities. Based on findings from previous n4a topical polls, the publications showcase examples of the many ways AAAs and Title VI programs are adapting their programs and services to meet the growing and changing needs of older adults.
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Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. The theme for 2021 is "Communities of Strength."
Older adults have built resilience and strength over their lives through successes, failures, joys, and difficulties. Their stories and contributions help to support and inspire others. This OAM, we will celebrate the strength of older adults and the Aging Network, with special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities.
There are many things we all can do to nurture ourselves, reinforce our strength, and continue to thrive. Connecting with others is one of the most important—it plays a vital role in our health and well-being, and in that of our communities. From finding joy in small things and sharing our stories, to looking at the big picture and giving to others, join us in promoting the ways we are connected and strong.
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May 28, 2021
Attend Via Zoom
Many, if not most, of the complex issues in the public sector are not neatly contained within the purview of one organization. No one person or sector has all the ability, resources, or power to solve complex public problems. To address these problems and opportunities, community leaders must facilitate work across the boundaries of organization, sector, or jurisdiction.
Skillfully leading across these boundaries requires the ability to lead beyond the scope of one’s authority and navigating the give-and-take terrain of collaboration. This workshop explores the core competencies of this boundary-crossing leadership, including the mindset necessary to successfully work through inevitable conflict in order to accomplish collective goals. Participants will have the opportunity to connect skills and concepts to a boundary-crossing issue they are dealing with in their communities.
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Free event for NC's local governments covering the "must-knows" about coming data releases, data privacy, and issue resolution.
About this Event
Know what to expect and how upcoming Census data releases will affect your government. Don't miss this free, online event featuring speakers from the US Census Bureau, sponsored by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management.
Agenda
Understanding Census Redistricting Data Program and Products
Improve your understanding of Census Bureau's Redistricting Data Program and the products it provides. This session will cover the interactions with the states to prepare the geography states need to conduct redistricting. The discussion will cover the content of the geographic and data files and the timing and formats of their release.
James Whitehorne, Chief of the Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office
Disclosure Avoidance and the 2020 Census
Learn how the implementation of Differential Privacy will secure the confidentiality of Census data and its impact on data quality and products. Understand what Differential Privacy means for the local level data policymakers rely on for decision-making.
Michael Hawes, Senior Advisory for Data Access and Privacy
2020 Census: Count Question Resolution
A lot is riding on Census 2020 counts for our communities. Understand the process provided by the Census Bureau for tribal, state, and local government challenges to 2020 Census counts.
Date And Time
Wed, May 26, 2021
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ED
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May 27, 2021 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
With constant pressure to do more with less, it is important to understand the utilization and performance criteria of your fleet. The objective of right-sizing and right typing is to assure that you have the correct assets to efficiently perform your mission.
Attend this webinar to learn the difference between right sizing and right typing, as well as the methodologies and guidelines needed to perform these analyses. Fleets that have successfully gone through the exercise will share what they learned, what they accomplished and what they will do going forward. No matter what your fleet size, this is an important area of focus to control costs and meet your mission.
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Mark your calendars for the
NCCDA 2021 Virtual Spring Workshop!
Registration coming soon.
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2021 Webinar Series
Every Third Wednesday from 11am-12pm
Presented by:
NC Department of Environmental Quality – Stormwater Program
Attend a series of Free webinars to hear industry professionals, DEMLR Stormwater staff, and local representatives provide information about all things stormwater! Industrial stormwater management, Green Infrastructure, Stormwater Control Measure design, Public Education and much more. A bonus is that you can fulfill your professional development needs. Register now for the May 19th webinar and get a jump on your PDHs! Registration’s open monthly.
“Ecosystem Services Value of SW Management Practices”
The presentation will include the factors affecting the NC coastal residents' intention to adopt LID based on the perception survey sent in 2019 as well as results of the evaluation studies in South Carolina.
How to Participate:
- Registration for the webinars are monthly and will be open one month in advance. You can attend any or as many webinars as you like.
- Register at least 24 hours prior to the webinar date(s) you plan to attend.
- PDHs will be awarded only to individuals who pre-register and sign into the webinar with the same name and email address as on their registration record.
- PDF certificates of attendance will be emailed to participants at the end of each webinar.
- $0 Cost.
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121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
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