Robert Hiett
Executive Director
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Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 | |
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Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Regional Transit Plan
North Carolina has experienced significant population growth in the last decade and this growth is impacting where, how, and why people travel around the state. The goal of the Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Regional Transit Plan (RTP) is to plan for public transportation needs in a consistent and coordinated manner for the diverse population included in the ten counties of the Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Coordinated Region.
Link to survey:
Regional Transit Plan | Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson AreaOnline Survey (surveymonkey.com)
The Greater Rocky Mount, Greenville, & Wilson Area Coordinated Region covers ten counties:
- Beaufort
- Bertie
- Edgecombe
- Halifax
- Herford
- Martin
- Nash
- Northampton
- Pitt
- Wilson
The Regional Transit Plan will analyze population and demographic data, travel trends, current transit services, as well as prior policies and plans to complete a regional assessment.
To augment the data analysis, public and stakeholder engagement activities will include stakeholder interviews, discussion groups, public meetings, and a virtual room housing various project details. A Coordinating Committee, with representatives from each county, will oversee the project’s engagement process.
Once the needs of the community are understood, a set of potential transportation solutions will be developed. The prospective solutions will be evaluated and prioritized into a five-year plan. A financial plan will also be developed.
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Respond to Regional Food System
Survey for Local Governments
As one of North Carolina’s top industries that brought in $93 billion dollars to the state’s economy in 2020 and was responsible for 17.5 percent of the state’s total jobs, agriculture and associated industries are essential in our economic plans. The Upper Coastal Plain, Kerr-Tar, and Triangle J Councils of Governments have identified regional food system development as a key strategy in our regions to help drive economic development. This three COG partnership promotes rural-urban connectivity, explores strategies to circulate more money in the local economy and build on farm and food business retention and expansion efforts to increase the economic vitality, equity and resilience of our region. As partners in this work, it is integral to hear from you and your colleagues about your experience and interest in food system development in your community by answering this short ten question survey.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Patrick Gannon, Public Information Director
10 Facts About NC's Photo ID Requirement for Voting
RALEIGH, NC – The following are 10 facts about North Carolina’s photo ID requirement for voting:
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Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina, starting with the 2023 municipal elections. Those elections occur in September, October, and November, depending on the town or city. (Find your local election details at ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election.)
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Most voters will simply show their NC driver’s license, but many other types of photo ID will be accepted. See the list of acceptable IDs at ncsbe.gov/voter-id.
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Voters without ID can get a “No Fee ID Card” from the NCDMV. Soon, voters will also be able to get a free ID from their county board of elections.
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The State Board is developing a process for approving student and public employee IDs for voting. Lists will be added to the Voter ID website as soon as IDs are approved.
- When a voter checks in to vote at a polling place, they will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID. Election workers check to see if the picture on the ID reasonably resembles the voter. The address on the photo ID does not have to match the voter registration records.
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All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If the voter does not show an acceptable ID, the voter may vote with an ID Exception Form and a provisional ballot, or vote with a provisional ballot and return to their county board of elections office with their photo ID by the day before county canvass. (For municipal elections in September and October, this deadline is the Monday following Election Day. For all other elections, the deadline is the second Thursday following Election Day.)
- Permitted exceptions to the photo ID requirement include the following: The voter has a reasonable impediment to showing photo ID (lack of transportation, lost or stolen ID, disability or illness, family responsibilities, etc.); the voter has a religious objection to being photographed; or the voter was a victim of a natural disaster within 100 days of Election Day.
- When a registered voter cannot produce a photo ID, the county board of elections must count that ballot if the voter properly completes the ID Exception Form or brings an acceptable ID to their county board of elections before the county canvass.
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Voters who vote by mail will be asked to include a photocopy of an acceptable ID inside the photo ID envelope that comes with their ballot. If they are unable to include a photocopy of their ID, they may complete an ID Exception Form with the absentee ballot return envelope. Photo ID is not required for military or overseas voters who vote using special absentee voting procedures that federal law makes available for such voters.
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For more information, see ncsbe.gov/voter-ID and “FAQ: Voter ID". These web pages will be updated frequently with the latest information.
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Funding Opportunites and Resources | |
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity
SUMMARY
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants. Funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 SS4A grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Monday, July 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.
For more information on the SS4A grant program please see the following link:
https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A
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Upcoming Environmental Justice Funding Opportunities
Environmental Justice Funding Opportunities
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to invest 40 million dollars into Environmental Justice (EJ) grants across the country. The EPA’s funding opportunities are expected to award non-profits with grants ranging from $100,000-$500,000 and US Territories, local governments, and federally recognized tribal government with access to $20 million in funding through the State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement (SEJCA) Program. $50 million is dedicated to the creation of Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC), one-stop-shops dedicated to supporting environmental justice initiatives in under-served communities.
A 14 minute presentation from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality covering these funding opportunities can be found here.
Other Resources
· EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center
· EPA Grants
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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 NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and the Transportation Planning Division created an annual matching grant program – the Multimodal Planning Grant Program (MMPG) – to encourage municipalities to develop comprehensive bicycle plans and pedestrian plans. This program was initiated in January 2004 and is currently administered through NCDOT-IMD.
The Multimodal Planning Program has been successful in its 20 grant cycles - since 2004, 254 planning grants have been awarded. To date, a total of approximately $8 million has been allocated to 248 municipalities and 6 counties through this grant program.
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EDA accepting applications to support public planning and construction/renovation projects that advance job creation and economic development
The Economic Development Administration is a federal agency that provides grant funds to support a range of construction and non-construction activities which will advance economic development and enhance the competitive environment in which jobs can be created and private investment leveraged. Public entities, or nonprofit entities working in collaboration with local governments, looking for support to construct or renovate public assets, or to conduct analysis or regional technical assistance programs with clear economic development outcomes should consider EDA’s grant programs. EDA currently has a range of programs available. For further information, please go to https://eda.gov/funding-opportunities/.
North Carolina applicants are also encouraged to reach out to the NC EDA representative, Hillary Sherman at hsherman@eda.gov to discuss program requirements and processes and alignment with potential projects.
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$4.5 Million STEM Talent Challenge Funding Opportunity
Launched to Build a Robust STEM Talent Workforce for Emerging and Transformative Innovation Sectors
EDA is now accepting applications for its STEM Talent Challenge to support programs to train science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and fuel regional innovation economies across the nation.
The $4.5 million competition will provide funding for programs that help build a robust STEM workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, among others.
Read more in today’s blog post.
Competitive applications will demonstrate how the program will develop or expand regional STEM workforce capacity to support entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation-driven businesses.
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, states, other political subdivisions of states, and Tribal Nations; as well as non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, federal laboratories or science/research parks, institutions of higher education, Economic Development Organizations, and consortia of the aforementioned with government support.
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PROTECT
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
Summary
The vision of the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program is to fund projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system, including highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. Projects selected under this program should be grounded in the best available scientific understanding of climate change risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities. They should support the continued operation or rapid recovery of crucial local, regional, or national surface transportation facilities. Furthermore, selected projects should utilize innovative and collaborative approaches to risk reduction, including the use of natural infrastructure, which is explicitly eligible under the program.
The NOFO can be found on grants.gov at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347585.
More information on this NOFO and the PROTECT Program can be found at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/protect/discretionary.
Applicant questions should be directed to: PROTECTdiscretionary@dot.gov
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Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program NOFO
Summary:
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for grants totaling of up to $700 million under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program), established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”). The $700 million is divided into two separate grant categories: (1) up to $350 million for the Community Charging and Fueling Program Grants (Community Program), to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure located on public roads or in other publicly accessible locations; and (2) up to $350 million for the Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program), to strategically deploy charging and alternative fueling infrastructure located along designated alternative fuel corridors.
Click here to view the NOFO.
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Contact: press@oc.usda.gov
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Offers New Funding to Promote the Expansion of High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas
$20 million in Technical Assistance Funding is Available to Plan High-Speed Internet Projects in Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $20 million to deliver broadband technical assistance resources for rural communities, and to support the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
USDA is offering the funding under the new Broadband Technical Assistance Program. The program supports technical assistance projects such as conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs and developing broadband financial assistance applications. Funding is also available to help organizations access federal resources, and to conduct data collection and reporting.
“USDA is committed to making sure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet. That’s how you grow the economy – not just in rural communities, but across the nation,” said USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small. “USDA is partnering with small towns, local utilities and cooperatives, and private companies to increase access to this critical service which in turn boosts opportunity and helps build bright futures.”
To learn more, read the full news release.
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Governor Roy Cooper has developed a comprehensive strategy to build digital equity
across North Carolina, and the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity is
executing that strategy to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to an affordable,
high-speed internet connection and have the devices and skills necessary to participate in
the modern digital economy.
The Digital Equity Survey focuses on the accessibility and affordability of digital devices
and the internet as well as digital skills needed to safely access online resources. Your
response will help ensure that we create an effective and comprehensive state digital
equity plan that addresses the digital equity needs of all North Carolinians.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses will be
automatically captured as you work through the survey. No data will be released or used
that can identify participants. Participation is voluntary; you may choose not to answer any
or all questions and may stop at any time.
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Across the U.S., there has been dramatic growth in solar over the past decade. According the Solar Market Insight Report, there are now more than 140 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, enough to power 25 million American homes. More than half of the new electricity generation built in 2022 was solar! Over the next 10 years, the industry is expected to grow by more than 5 times, reaching an installed capacity of more than 700 gigawatts by 2033.
As solar continues to grow, communities can expect to see an increasing number of proposed solar projects of all kinds, including rooftop solar, ground-mounted solar, community solar and utility-scale solar, as well as combinations of technologies including solar plus batteries and solar-powered electric vehicle charging. There are also new incentives for solar, EVs and building electrification that were passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act that will further encourage homeowners and businesses to pursue these technologies. (This IRA calculator is a great tool for homeowners who want to see how they can benefit from the IRA!).
Local governments can play an important role in helping to support solar and reduce costs for residents. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 65% of the cost of a solar energy system is not related to the hardware. These “soft costs” including costs associated with permitting, interconnection, financing, customer acquisition, and more. When local governments take action to reduce permitting and inspection time, streamline inspections, educate local residents, improve financing options and support group purchase programs, they can help drive down solar costs.
SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to recognize and support local governments that want to support solar in their communities. Local governments receive free technical assistance and can earn recognition (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels) when they take action to encourage solar market growth. Since 2016, the program has helped nearly 500 communities earn designation. The SolSmart Program was recently extended to 2027 and expects to serve an additional 500 communities.
All cities, towns, counties and regional organizations are eligible to join SolSmart. If you are interested in SolSmart, visit www.SolSmart.org to learn more and click “Join SolSmart” to get started.
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Need technical assistance? UNC Environmental Finance Center is here to help!
The UNC Environmental Finance Center offers free one-on-one technical assistance for small water systems. If you have an interest in our support, fill out our interest form here.
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ARP/CSLFRF Update
ARP OFFICE HOURS
Starting in May, we will continue to offer ARP BASICS once a month and also use other Office Hour sessions to spotlight more complex transactions (involving federal procurement, property management, program income, and subawards). More on that to come…
- Thursday, June 8, 8:30-9:30am
- Monday, June 12, 8:30-10:30am -- Focus on Accounting & Budgeting
- Tuesday, June 20, 12-1pm
- Thursday, June 29, 8:30-9:30am --- ARP BASICS
- Wednesday, July 5, 8:30-9:30am
- Thursday, July 13, 12-1pm -- Focus on Program Income for Water/Wastewater Projects
- Thursday, July 20, 8:30-9:30am -- Focus on Procurement
- Friday, July 28, 12-1pm
ZOOM LOG IN
Here is the new Zoom Log in for all Office Hour Sessions:
https://zoom.us/j/95481909044?pwd=UlE2VHNhN2luS0JEYTJqeTZTMFRWdz09
Meeting ID: 954 8190 9044
Passcode: 779726
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,95481909044# US
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The NC League of Municipalities is offering an important webinar: How to Tell Your ARP Story, featuring NCLM’s very own Communications Specialist, Jack Cassidy.
Brief Webinar Description:
All across North Carolina, local governments are using American Rescue Plan support to make transformational investments into their communities. Let’s share these successes. From community members to businesses to lawmakers -- and even to potential grantmakers -- it is key that all relevant parties know the impact of these ARP funds.
This webinar will walk you through the storytelling process, step-by-step. What to include, what to focus on, how to highlight impact and success, how to get the word out – all of these elements will be covered.
Join us June 14 at 10 a.m. for this informative event. There is no cost to attend.
Register Here: Meeting Home Page (nclm.org)
If you believe this to be of value to your SLFRF colleagues, clients, customers or general network, we would appreciate you sharing the opportunity. Along with you, we want North Carolina to shine; understanding why and how to tell our ARP stories will help us do that!
Registrants will have to have (or create) an NCLM account. That process is simple and free. If you do not have account, you will be triggered to do so when following the registration link. If you cannot remember how to access your account and have difficulties registering for this event, please email arp@nclm.org or Julie Metz at jmetz@nclm.org.
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Have you reviewed guidance and other resources and still have questions about getting started and administering your local ARPA funds? For technical assistance, please contact your Upper Coastal Plain Council Of Governments. We are here to help!
Betsy Kane, Senior Regional Planner, phone 252-234-5902
email: bkane@ucpcog.org
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Our partners at these Community Colleges of our Region are offering opportunities! We are happy to be part of this STEPS4Growth work group as Clean Energy was a focus. Now they are ready for you! Contact them today! | |
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Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Highlight North Carolina’s Commitment to Building an Age-Friendly State
Order directs the state to develop a comprehensive plan for aging, strengthen the caregiving workforce and enhance transportation options
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 280 directing action to continue the state’s commitment to building an age-friendly state. The Executive Order brings a whole-of-government approach to support North Carolina’s aging population.
“Our rapidly growing and diverse older adult population strengthens our state and communities,” Governor Cooper said. “We’re going to continue our work to make North Carolina the best place in the country to grow older.”
Executive Order No. 280 directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) along with expert working groups to develop a Multisector Plan for Aging. The Order also directs NCDHHS and the North Carolina Department of Commerce to convene a Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership group to develop and implement recommendations to bolster the caregiving workforce. It also directs NCDHHS to develop recommendations to improve adult protective services.
The Order also directs the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to improve access to outdoor spaces, the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve transportation options and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology to improve access to broadband and digital literacy.
“I am so grateful for Governor Cooper's leadership in signing this executive order to make North Carolina a place where all people can thrive throughout life's seasons,” said Mary Penny Kelley, Executive Director of Hometown Strong. “By joining the Livable Communities network, North Carolina joins a consortium of other states working to advance policies to help a growing demographic. It's an honor to be a part of the incredible dedicated team that worked to make this possible.”
“In just a few short years, there will be more people living in North Carolina over age 65 than under 17,” said Joyce Massey Smith, Director of the Division on Aging and Adult Services for NCDHHS. “To address this unprecedented shift in the age of our population we are committed to capitalizing on the benefits of an older population as we provide them with the services and support they need in order to thrive.”
“Nearly 3.7 million North Carolinians live in communities that have joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities and are working on age-friendly improvements” said Mike Olender, Director of AARP North Carolina. “The state’s enrollment into the Network coupled with the executive order will be the glue that holds us all together to collaborate, will accelerate progress and will inspire even more improvements to our cities, towns, and rural areas that benefit North Carolinians of all ages.”
Approximately 1.7 million North Carolinians are aged 65 or older. By 2030, one in five North Carolinians will be older than 65. The Executive Order builds on the Governor’s previous actions supporting older adults. In 2022, Hometown Strong in the Governor’s Office and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services partnered with AARP to conduct the Age My Way NC survey which assessed North Carolinians’ needs and preferences with regards to aging.
Read the Executive Order.
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Our Superpowers have been activated and we’re excited to join forces with other Superheroes across the Aging Network.
Save the Date for our annual Aging Conference
Event: The Power of Aging: Full Speed Ahead Aging Conference
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Venue: Edgecombe Community College—Tarboro Campus
Stay tuned for more information!
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Monarch Provides Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders in Nash County
Monarch is now providing Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorders at two locations in Nash County.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) provides support for people struggling with addiction to opioids like heroin, fentanyl and/or prescription pain medications. Monarch uses the FDA-approved medication buprenorphine (Suboxone) in a safe, medically-supervised setting together with a comprehensive array of evidence-based therapies and support services to treat addiction and support successful recovery.
To Make a Referral
Primary care providers, hospitals and community agencies can refer patients to Monarch's MAT services in Nash County by emailing MATreferralsNash@monarchnc.org.
Open Access Walk-In Services Available
Individuals in need of treatment can access MAT services by walking into Monarch’s Behavioral Health Clinic in Rocky Mount during walk-in hours or visiting the Mobile Integrated Care Clinic in Bailey on scheduled clinic days.
Appointments Available
Appointments for MAT services are also available by calling (866) 272-7826.
Monarch’s Medication-Assisted Treatment Locations
Nash Behavioral Health Outpatient Office
809 Tiffany Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Walk In Clinic hours end at 3 p.m.
Monarch’s Mobile Integrated Care Clinic at Bailey Pharmacy
6311 Deans Street, Bailey, NC 27807
Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wednesdays, and alternating Thursdays and Fridays.
Visit MonarchNC.org/MobileClinic for schedule.
MAT services at Monarch’s Rocky Mount Behavioral Health Outpatient location are made possible through an opioid settlement services grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Services at the Mobile Integrated Care Clinic are made possible in partnership with Trillium Health Resources.
www.MonarchNC.org (866) 272-7826
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JUNE IS ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS MONTH! | |
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MDC is launching the North Carolina Leading from Home: Investing in HBCC Provider Leaders initiative to support existing home-based child providers or caregivers in building their current provider networks and growing their influence. MDC is seeking family child care providers, both licensed and licensed exempt, as well as Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers who currently have a provider network. MDC will provide monthly stipends for selected provider and caregiver leaders. MDC will also match provider leaders with mentors who will provide technical assistance to assist in goal setting and building capacity around policy strategy, strategic communication and engagement.
We encourage both licensed family child care (FCC) providers and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers to apply. Information and applications are available in English and Spanish. Applications will be open until June 30th.
To learn more, visit the MDC website or register for the upcoming webinar on June 8th, 2023 at 12PM EST to participate in a live Q&A.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact MDC at llassiter@mdcinc.org.
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On-Demand Courses Available Now | Ethics and Newly Elected Leaders Bundle
Ethics for Elected Municipal Officials
The League's General Counsel Office has developed an online Ethics training for members that meets the state statutory requirements. This engaging, on-demand course offers insights into the laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest, ethical standards of conduct at the local government level, and provides enhanced issue-spotting analysis and reasoning skills.
Register Here
Want To Take Ethics As A Group?
The League is now offering the ability for members to take their Ethics training as a group. For example, if your full council would like to take the Ethics course together during a meeting, you can view it under one person's account, but each registered attendee present will receive credit. If you are interested, please email Grace Findley to make sure each participant receives full credit.
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HOW TO TELL YOUR ARP STORY
Brief Webinar Description:
All across North Carolina, local governments are using American Rescue Plan support to make transformational investments into their communities. Let’s share these successes. From community members to businesses to lawmakers -- and even to potential grantmakers -- it is key that all relevant parties know the impact of these ARP funds.
This webinar will walk you through the storytelling process, step-by-step. What to include, what to focus on, how to highlight impact and success, how to get the word out – all of these elements will be covered.
Join us June 14 at 10 a.m. for this informative event. There is no cost to attend.
Register Here: Meeting Home Page (nclm.org)
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121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
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