Robert Hiett
Executive Director
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Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Councils of Governments Receive Grants to Improve the Mega-Region’s Local Healthy Food System
March 2022 - Triangle J, Kerr Tar, and Upper Coastal Plain Councils of Governments (COGs) have joined in an unprecedented 17-county mega-region partnership to help fulfill and leverage multiple opportunities and recommendations resulting from the many emerging and growing local healthy food efforts. The effort is called the TRI-COG Food Ecosystem Economic Development Strategy (Tri-COG FEEDS): Understanding and Creating Pathways to Build the Local Healthy Food Value Chain.
UCPCOG Director, Robert Hiett notes, “We are pleased to initiate this planning and coordination process to strengthen our regional food network. This work will help us to identify access and availability to fresh food for regional citizens, help us to understand the additional resources that will be required to strengthen our food economy, and provide recommendations to support Agribusinesses within a 17 county area.”
Triangle J COG Director, Lee Worsley added, “Many parts of the Triangle region are experiencing unprecedented growth, contributing to the loss of farmland and increased reliance on the fragile global food supply chain, despite increased demand for locally grown fresh and value-added products. While this is occurring, our region has many rural areas where agriculture is a significant industry and Triangle J has prioritized rural and urban connections for several years.”
Kerr Tar COG Director, Diane Cox, brings the opportunity into focus, "Our three Councils of Governments, representing 17 counties, will collaborate and lead a mega-region local food system partnership initially anchored by a systems development study to help fulfill and leverage multiple opportunities and recommendations resulting from local and regional food efforts ”
The overarching goal is to create the foundation to dramatically improve the size, resilience, and equity of the local food system in the Tri-COG region with the following objectives.
1. Create increased and new partnership among the diverse stakeholders required
2. Understand the greater region’s current and future local food supply and demand needs
3. Examine the current and needed local food system infrastructure from farm to table including local fresh food producers, transporters, storage, processing, distribution, purchasing, etc.
4. Study and develop various models and options for building out the system to grow the local food sector
5. Place an emphasis on meeting the needs of, and creating opportunity for, small, minority, and underserved farmers, businesses and communities.
6. Study and address current and potential future workforce issues in the agricultural industry such as labor shortages, advanced technology needs, and aging workers.
Counties covered include Chatham, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Pearson, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson.
The effort is made possible from generous grants received from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete and will involve a wide variety of stakeholders throughout the mega-region. The many stakeholders engaged in designing the effort agree that the outcomes should dramatically aid the mega-region’s understanding of the highly complex local food system, from farm to table, and help determine how to best support the many farms, businesses and consumers wanting to expand the local food sector for a healthier, more equitable, and resilient region.
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National Opioid Settlement Finalized
State Attorney General Josh Stein announced final approval of the $26 billion opioid agreement with the country's three big pharmaceutical distributors (Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen) along with Johnson & Johnson with funds, set to be released to a national administrator in April. "Money will start flowing to state and local governments in the second quarter of 2022," stated a detailed press release that also included words from NCLM Executive Director Rose Vaughn Williams.
Williams said: “The finalization of this settlement and the resources that will result from it are crucial in addressing the damage done by the opioid crisis. Opioid addiction has negatively affected individuals, families and communities, and the work by Attorney General Stein, his staff and attorneys general nationwide to secure these resources will help communities across North Carolina see better outcomes for residents, as well as for the first responders and health care workers who have been on the front lines dealing with many of the consequences.... By supporting treatment and recovery, these dollars will assist individuals and families struggling with addiction, as well as make our communities safer.”
The state has an opioid settlement dashboard meant to offer tools and other information to local governments receiving the settlement funds.
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USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Entrepreneurs
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a resource guide to help people in rural America start and grow businesses, create good-paying jobs in their communities and strengthen America’s economy. The guide features information on how rural entrepreneurs can use USDA and other federal programs to access financing and other assistance to help start and expand their businesses. |
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The Rural Economic Development Division’s Rural Transformation Grant Fund (RTGF) application cycle is open.
The Fund, created by the North Carolina General Assembly in Session Law 2021-180 (S.105), has an available pool of $48 million for grantmaking. We would like to share an IMPORTANT UPDATE about RGTF. Please see below.
Alert: RTGF Update
The Rural Transformation Grant Fund project categories have been recently designated as Revenue Replacement by the US Treasury. As a result, the direct COVID-19 Impact requirement will be relaxed relative to your project design and proposed outcomes. While our application and review process still require COVID-19 impact data relative to your community and the project; establishing a direct link between the impacts of COVID-19 and your proposed project is no longer required.
Per Senate Bill 105 Session Law 2021-180 SECTION 11.12.(f) Prioritization. – the Rural Economic Development Division shall prioritize disbursing grants under this section to units of local government that are (i) communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic at a disproportionate level when compared to the rest of the State.
The Rural Economic Development Division will accept applications using its new online grant management system the Rural Connect Portal.
For more information, contact:
Hazel Edmond
Rural Engagement & Investment Program Director
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The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the 2022 Multimodal Planning Grant Program The program provides funding for municipalities and counties across the state to develop comprehensive multimodal, bicycle or pedestrian plans.
Communities can apply for a variety of plan options to meet specific needs, including multimodal, bicycle or pedestrian plans. In addition, the following options are available:
- Municipalities of all sizes and counties with populations of less than 100,000 with an existing bicycle or pedestrian plan may apply to update their plan if it is at least five years old.
- Municipalities with populations of less than 10,000 may apply for a Project Acceleration Plan – an abbreviated plan that prioritizes project identification and implementation.
The deadline for applications, to be submitted electronically, is May 9 at 5 p.m. Award recipients will be notified by August.
This program is jointly sponsored by the department’s Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and the Transportation Planning Division. To date, $7.5 million has been awarded to 238 municipalities and six counties across the state through this program.
Proposals are divided and judged in geographical groups to help establish equitable distribution of funding across the state. Selected recipients commonly include a diverse mix of municipalities from large cities to small towns.
Funded plans are not for one specific project but represent a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a community. The plans may address facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that encourage safe walking and bicycling.
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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FHWA: National Scenic Byways Program Grants
Application Period Now Open
U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is now accepting applications for National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) that allows states and federally recognized Tribes to apply for $22 million in grants. The application period closes May 16.
The program funds improvements, such as byway facilities, safety improvements, and interpretive information, along roads in the United States that merit recognition at the national level for their outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural recreational and archeological qualities.
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Flood Mitigation Program
Overview
The State of North Carolina provided funds to the Golden LEAF Foundation to award funds to units of local government for public infrastructure projects for flood mitigation.
Award Amount
Up to $250,000 may be awarded per project.
Eligible Entities
Funds may only be awarded to units of local government. Local governments from all 100 counties are eligible. For purposes of this program, units of local governments include counties and cities and their boards, agencies, commissions, authorities, and institutions.
Eligible Projects
- Construction of new or improvement of existing publicly owned stormwater infrastructure, including natural drainage infrastructure and flood control equipment.
- Repair of existing stormwater infrastructure damaged or destroyed by flooding, which must include improvements to mitigate against future flooding.
- Engineering expenses related to planning and development of flood mitigation solutions.
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The US Department of Transportation (DOT) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural, INFRA, and Mega competitive grant programs. The three programs are combined under a single “Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant” (MPDG) process, and applicants may be eligible to receive awards from more than one program. MPDG Applications due: May 23.
DOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released a NOFO for its National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP). The program funds improvements, such as byway facilities, safety improvements, and interpretive information, along roads in the United States that merit recognition at the national level for their outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural recreational and archeological qualities.
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EDA Releases NOFO for Build to Scale (B2S) Program
The US Economic Development Administration has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Build to Scale (B2S) program, comprised of two national competitions. The Venture Challenge seeks to support high-growth, technology-centric entrepreneurship. The Capital Challenge increases access to entrepreneur-ready, equity-based capital by providing operational support for early-state investment funds, angel networks, and investor training programs. Applications due: June 13, 2022.
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PDS Led Partnership Effort Continues Momentum |
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Mapping Homegrown Solutions for Healthy Food Access
In the latest Croatan View, Associate Anna Aspenson dives into the public health and community approaches to food system mapping that helped establish the Healthy Food Access Mapping collaborative research process and recommendations.
Recent research has explored innovative ways to visualize food injustice and the Healthy FAM project that the Croatan Institute contributed to provides a unique approach to mapping community food production assets. Through deep community engagement and participatory mapping, we can guide investment through a strengths-based and community-driven approach.
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The LINC (Log Into North Carolina) online data tool is a great resource for statistical and demographic data on North Carolina, NC counties, and municipalities. From population and income data to air quality and soybean production stats, you can find it in LINC. LINC hosts over 1,200 historic data series, some of which are projected. LINC is your best, first place to go for general data about NC areas and contact to data reporting agencies if you choose to dive deeper.
LINC was created in the late 1970 and has undergone 3 major evolutions. The current version of LINC is an open data format that supports API and allows dynamic charting and mapping of data as well the creation and export of custom data queries. To help users take advantage of the new facets of LINC, training videos are now available on the LINC home page.
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Join us May 9 - 12, 2022 for the NCRWA 45th Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC.
Our conference has something to offer for everyone. This year's breakout sessions include tracks for Board/Management, Administrative, Regulatory/Legislative, Operation/Maintenance, and Backflow/Cross-connection.
For more information, please visit our website for a detailed brochure and registration information at https://www.ncrwa.org/annualconference.html.
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CCLR's Tips for Getting Started on EPA Brownfield Grants Now
Brownfield grants from U.S. EPA are often a significant source of funding for the assessment and cleanup of sites with potential environmental contamination. This year, historic levels of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) means more grants and significantly larger grant awards, making it a good investment to submit an application. In our 20 years of experience reviewing draft EPA brownfield grant applications, the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) has found that those who get started early (and we mean 6-12 months prior) have a greater chance of success. Keep reading for our Top Three Tips for getting started on your application now!
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a publication of the N.C. Recycling Business Assistance Center
In This Issue
Quick Links
DEACS has released a Multifamily Recycling Grant RFP. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property managers are eligible to apply. Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment to expand or enhance recycling access at multifamily developments. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Also in this issue:
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Volkswagen (VW) Settlement
Phase 2 (2022-2024) Funding Available for North Carolina!
NC DEQ has $67.9 million in available funding to award to local, state, and tribal governments, public or private nonprofit organizations, and public/private partnerships to reduce Nitrogen Oxide emissions across the state.
5 Programs Include:
1. School Bus Replacement
2. Transit Bus Replacement
3. Clean Heavy-Duty Equipment & Vehicle Replacement Program
4. DC Fast Charging Infrastructure Program
5. Level 2 Infrastructure Program
Visit the website to learn more about Phase 2, RFPs, applicant/project eligibility, timeline, and more. The slides from VW Settlement Informational Session can be viewed here. |
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Podcast: The American Rescue Plan and Local Infrastructure
Got 19 minutes? Take that time to check out our newest episode of Municipal Equation, where we cover the most pressing issues facing our cities and towns.
Learn the basics of the American Rescue Plan.
How it is a generational opportunity—to both recover from the pandemic and to prosper well into the future.
How it's a chance to address critical areas of need, like water utilities and infrastructure.
And how our towns' leaders are making it count. Be sure to search & follow Municipal Equation on iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast streaming service to always have the latest episode.
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Treasury Portal: ARP Reporting and Compliance Site Now Open
The U.S. Treasury this week launched its Treasury Portal for non-entitlement units (NEUs) receiving American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). This portal will be used for reporting and compliance, and is now available to be accessed.
For background, recipients of ARP/SLFRF distributions must abide by U.S. Treasury's reporting and compliance responsibilities, which have been previously clarified in detail in a document titled Compliance and Reporting Guidance. For NEUs, or non-metropolitan cities as defined by the ARP, those reporting requirements should be met using this Treasury Portal. NEUs will confirm accounts, designate reporting roles, and submit required agreements and supporting documentation to Treasury.
The deadline for annual reporting is April 30, 2022, though cities and towns can access the portal now, and are encouraged to do so to establish a login, confirm accounts, designate reporting roles and submit required agreements and supporting documentation.
For more information, visit our ARP hub here.
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US Treasury issued the Final Rule of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP/CSLFRF) in January 2022. With more complete information, local government officials are now looking to finalize (at least some) expenditure decisions. With the addition of the standard allowance, authorizing many NC local governments to expend their entire ARP/CSLFRF allocation for almost any purpose authorized by state law, counties and municipalities across the state have an even greater opportunity to make the best strategic investments for their communities with these one-time funds....Read More
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The UNC School of Government Releases it's new American Rescue Plan Website |
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Very good turnout at the NCDMV hiring event. The first hour was dedicated to employees impacted by the loss of QVC-Rocky Mount, in which their jobs were lost. Our team has been dedicated to sharing information and resources from many partners, working closely with QVC HQ, Employers, County officials and NCWorks. Thank you NCWorks Career Center-RMT for being onsite: Veterans Representative, Career Advisor and Center Manager.
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It is with great pleasure that we announce our acceptance into the second cohort of the Resilient Leaders Initiative through Rural Opportunity Institute. Our hope is to grow the Older Relatives as Caregivers Program, to provide education to help with the trauma faced by these families and to share coping strategies found to promote resilience. Additionally, our overarching goal is to use the knowledge gained to promote more trauma-informed practices in all AAA programs as we move forward. |
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Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients
May 1–Oct. 31
People age 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, are eligible to sign up for assistance from May 1–Oct. 31 at local aging agencies across the state. Since 1986, the relief program has purchased fans for older adults and adults with disabilities, providing them with a more comfortable living environment and reducing heat-related illnesses.
The program is made possible by donations from Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Dominion Resources and Valassis, and allows regional area agencies on aging and local provider agencies to purchase fans for eligible individuals. Local provider agencies can also purchase a limited number of air conditioners based on a person’s specific health conditions.
Last year, DAAS received $85,500 in donations, allowing for the distribution of 3,240 fans and 26 air conditioners.
As individuals age and develop chronic medical conditions, they are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature, and they may also be taking medications that can worsen the impact of extreme heat. Operation Fan Heat Relief helps vulnerable adults at risk for heat-related illnesses stay safe during the summer.
In addition to applying for fans, people age 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, can take the following steps during high temperatures:
- Increase fluid intake
- Spend time in cool or air-conditioned environments regularly
- Reduce strenuous activity during the afternoon
- Speak with their physician before summer about how to stay safe while taking medication that can affect the body’s ability to cool itself (e.g., high blood pressure medications)
For more details, individuals may contact their area agency on aging or the Division of Aging and Adult Services’ housing program consultant at 919-855-3419.
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Webinar: 5th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium
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Applications Due May 15
July 11-15, 2022
August 8-12, 2022
School of Government
The Public Executive Leadership Academy provides city and county managers, their assistants, and key department heads the opportunity to learn more about themselves as leaders and to gain skills to lead and manage change in their communities. Participants will choose a "real world" project for leading regional, community or organizational change and develop a plan, in consultation with their learning teams, for carrying it out.
This project will integrate and apply the leadership knowledge and skills developed during PELA. Participants will also work on a personal leadership development plan that will incorporate feedback from faculty, colleagues, and community stakeholders.
The application for the Class of 2022 is open under the Registration tab. A select group of 25 top public service leaders will be admitted to the program, to take place in two different phases at the School in Summer 2022.
Who Should Attend?
· New and veteran municipal and county managers who want to strengthen their leadership and collaboration skills
· Assistant managers and key department heads—our next generation of leaders
· Acceptance into this program requires a minimum of 7 years’ experience in local government management with at least 5 years supervisory experience as a city or county manager, assistant manager, or department director.
What Will I Gain?
· Expanded ability to diagnose problems and create solutions within your community and your organization.
· Exchange of ideas with faculty from the School of Government and national organizations, as well as a diverse group of your peers.
· Creation of a framework to think about your relationship with your board and staff.
· Development of a plan to carry out a “real world” community or regional change project.
Note: Each hour of participation in PELA counts toward the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program and will satisfy the 40 hours of professional development required annually for ICMA credentialed managers. Continuing Education units (CEUs) also are available at an additional cost.
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Registration is now open for the 2022 State Treasurers Conference taking place June 14th, 16th, and 21st from 9:00am – 12:30pm via Zoom. This program is sponsored by the NC State Treasurer's Office, Local Government Commission Division and UNC School of Government.
AUDIENCE: These sessions are intended for city and county managers, finance officers, finance staff, and others that work in financial management
FEE: The fee is $250 and includes all 3 sessions.
TENTATIVE SESSION TOPICS INCLUDE
- State Treasurer's Update
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
- LGC and GAAP Updates
- Financial Management of Utility Systems
- Procuring and Preparing for the Annual Audit under ARPA
- Opioid Settlement
Visit the above registration link for information about equipment preparation, Zoom, and CPE Credit.
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Lead Across Boundaries
May 20, 2022
Online-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.
This course will take place online via Zoom from 9am - 4pm with a break at 12pm for lunch. Click HERE to learn more and register.
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EPA Smartway Technologies and Success Stories
May 19, 2022 2:00 – 3:00pm EST
Please join us on Thursday, May 19, 2021, from 2:00p-3:00p EST/11:00a-12:00p PST for an SFT Webinar presenting “EPA Smartway Technologies and Success Stories”. The Smartway program is a voluntary public-private partnership between US EPA and the freight industry. The objective is to reduce freight’s environmental impacts and provide the industry with tools that would also help mitigate the risks of rising energy costs. Learn about benefits and impacts of the EPA Smartway program, as well as hear best practices from some of their high performing fleet members.
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NCLM’s 4th Annual Town and State Dinner
Raleigh Convention Center | June 1 at 5 p.m.
The North Carolina League of Municipalities is proud to host its 4th Annual Town and State Dinner, an intimate gathering of lawmakers and local leaders. This event joins both state and local officials over dinner in downtown Raleigh, and offers an opportunity for our leaders to meet, build relationships and discuss the most important issues facing our cities and towns.
The night begins with appetizers and refreshments, and a full plated dinner will shortly follow. Please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our communities and recognize the tremendous support provided from our legislature this past year.
During registration, please include the name of your legislator. We then urge you to reach out and invite them personally. If you have any questions, please contact us at tsd@mail.nclm.org
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Civic Pride & Civic Apathy – What is Driving Your Economic State?
Webinar from Leverage NC | June 8 at 10 a.m.
Thousands of communities have been devastated by the effects of apathy and unless we do something drastic, the problem is only going to get worse. Apathy destroys everything it touches and cannot be mitigated with planning or money. Residents' lack of care and concern cannot be fixed by continuing down the same path. We must take a new approach and help restore people’s relationship to their town. Only in fostering a sense of civic pride, can we begin to beat back the effects of apathy. We must bring people together, restore beauty, foster affection, and give people more meaning.
By taking a small scale, simple and incremental approach, we can begin to replace apathy with pride. The key is getting to work. There is no silver bullet needed and no one is going to come along and fix it for us. We simply must do our part, every resident, every day, taking part in making the community just a little bit better. When everyone participates, we can all have something truly special, a community we can be proud of.
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121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
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