Robert Hiett
Executive Director
| |
Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 | |
NCARCOG Executive Director Advertisement
The North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Governments (NCARCOG) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals and firms to serve as NCARCOG’s full-time Executive Director. NCARCOG seeks to establish a contract with an individual or firm that is experienced in organizational leadership and management, public policy, governmental service delivery, and partnership building.
The Executive Director shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the NCARCOG and, therefore, shall direct the day-to-day management of the organization, lead the organization’s strategic planning efforts, assist the Executive Committee with the management of the organization’s financial resources, actively participate in the organization’s legislative advocacy efforts, develop and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, and represent the organization in interactions with local, state, and federal partners.
Visit https://www.wpcog.org/local-govt-partner-jobs for more information, including a detailed position description and guidelines for submitting a proposal.
Please feel free to contact Justin Hembree, Mid-Carolina Regional Council, at jhembree@mccog.org with questions.
| |
Funding Opportunites and Resources | |
|
The State Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) offered through the NC Department of Public Safety is open now. This is a great opportunity to receive funding to improve the cybersecurity posture of your organization. In the past, recipients have funded life cycle replacement of IT hardware, licenses for services or software, employee certifications and training, or contracted services to name just a few.
Many state and local agencies have used the results of their free NCNG Cyber Security Response Force (CSRF) network security assessment or pen test to justify receiving grant funding. To learn more about the free services offered by the CSRF, visit their website at https://ng.nc.gov/services-support/cyber-security-response-force
A webinar to explain the process was conducted earlier, it was recorded and is available on the SLCGP website.
Apply for up to $200,000 of cybersecurity grant funding through this link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3IF2etC5mkSFw-zCbNftGQvMn4oZki5LtqcE6O5yeVtUQzZXUDkxMU0xRDZNVTZPMFBMNEcwWkM3US4u
For specific SLCGP information visit this website:
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program | NC DPS
Important Dates
Application Period: December 15, 2023 – January 31, 2024
Application Deadline: January 31 2024, by 5:00 PM
Anticipated Period of Performance for subrecipients (estimated): December 1, 2023 – February 2, 2027
Anticipated Grant Awards to subrecipients (estimated): By May 31, 2024
For SLCGP information, visit the website above.
To learn more about the NCNG CSRF, contact Matt Chytka at joseph.m.chytka.nfg@army.mil
| |
North Carolina Sea Grant, NC Water Resources Research Institute, and Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science (KIETS) are accepting applications for the Community Collaborative Research Grant program (CCRG) for projects beginning in May 2024. Funds will be awarded to projects that join communities and researchers, “to address critical water resource, coastal, and climate challenges in North Carolina.” Awards will range from $5,000 to $25,000 and applications must be submitted by 5:00PM on Friday, January 26, 2024. To learn more and apply, click here. | |
Digital Inclusion Grant Now Open!
Digital Champion Grant Program from the NCDIT
(Department of Information Technology)
The N.C. Department of Information Technology's Office of Digital Equity and Literacy is offering $14 million in funding for digital equity initiatives through the Digital Champions Grant program. Each applicant can apply for up to $400,000 per county served with a maximum of $1.5 million allocated per project.
Eligible Uses All projects must develop or expand digital equity programming and address at least one of the following elements of digital inclusion:
1. Affordability of reliable, high-speed internet
2. Internet enabled devices (computers, laptops, etc.) that meet users’ needs
3. Access to digital literacy and skills training
4. Quality technical support
5. Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration
Priority Populations All projects may serve one or multiple counties, and must serve one or more of the following populations:
1. Low-income households (150% of the federal poverty level or below)
2. Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area
3. Aging residents
4. Incarcerated and second chance residents/reentry/justice involved individuals
5. Veterans
6. Individuals with disabilities
7. Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners and have low levels of literacy
8. Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group
Applications will be accepted from:
• Community Services
• Local governments (town, city, county)
• Local libraries
• K-12 school systems (public, private and charter)
• Nonprofit organizations
• Higher education institutions
• Regional entities (ex. councils of governments)
| |
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has opened the Community Progress Fund, which is seeking to provide short-term funding for organizations seeking to test their ideas and have a positive impact on their communities. Applications are accepted annually and grants range from $20,000-$30,000 per year for one or two years. Applications are due by Friday, January 26, 2024. To apply, click here. | |
|
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
| |
|
SITE PROGRAM
Golden LEAF recognizes that rural and economically distressed communities must have sites available for development to attract new businesses and create opportunities for existing businesses to expand. To address this need, Golden LEAF created the SITE Program. Through this program, Golden LEAF will provide support to communities to identify potential sites for economic development, enable completion of due diligence on sites already identified, or extend public utilities to or conduct grading and clearing of sites for which due diligence has been completed. Golden LEAF will accept applications from organizations in all counties, but will prioritize awards within counties that have been persistently economically distressed (as demonstrated by County Tier status determined by the N.C. Department of Commerce) and in economically distressed, rural, and tobacco-dependent communities.
The SITE Program consists of the three phases described below. Communities will be able to participate in the program in any of the three phases, and a site may progress from Identification through to Development over time.
-
SITE Program – Identification provides support to identify potential industrial sites in communities that do not currently have quality industrial sites to market.
-
SITE Program – Due Diligence provides funding to complete eligible due diligence activities such as environmental assessments, archaeological analyses, and mapping.
-
SITE Program – Development provides funding for public infrastructure and, for publicly owned sites, clearing and grading, to benefit sites that have completed the due diligence necessary to demonstrate that the site is suitable for development.
If you’re not sure which phase is right for your project, we have a few questions to help guide you.
| |
|
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.
| |
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
| |
Registration Now Open!
The 2024 State Energy Conference will be held April 23-24, 2024, at the McKimmon Conference and Training Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Come to network, learn best practices, hear about successful case studies, engage in important energy discussions and more.
The 2024 conference will cover the following topic areas:
- Clean Transportation
- Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings
- Government and Institutional Buildings
- Innovative Technology and Deployments
- Industrial Buildings
- Renewable Energy
- Residential Homes
- Utilities and Infrastructure
Why You Should Attend
- Choose among 30 different sessions in six different tracks.
- Full access to all conference sessions through the conference app for three weeks after the conference is complete.
- Network with exhibitors, sponsors and attendees at designated break times.
- Receive professional continuing education credits (access to all sessions and credits).
Who Should Attend
Architects, decision-makers, engineers, attorneys, real estate brokers, energy and sustainability managers, facilities personnel, property managers, planners and thought leaders from:
- Small businesses
- Developers
- Innovation firms
- Energy companies
- Colleges and universities
- Government and state agencies
- Corporations
- Nonprofit organizations
Become a sponsor or exhibitor
Showcase your business or organization with a sponsorship or exhibit booth at the 2024 State Energy Conference.
Visit the sponsorship and exhibitor webpages or contact Shannon Helm at slhelm@ncsu.edu for more information.
| |
|
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.
| |
BRIC Direct Technical Assistance for Communities & Tribal Nations
Submit Your Request!
FEMA is Offering BRIC Direct Technical Assistance for Communities and Tribal Nations.
FEMA offers direct technical assistance for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Direct Technical Assistance (BRIC DTA) initiative provides tailored support to communities and tribal nations that may not have the resources to begin climate resilience planning and project solution design on their own. Through process-oriented, hand-in-hand assistance, BRIC DTA will partner with communities interested in enhancing their capability and capacity to design holistic, equitable hazard mitigation solutions that advance community-driven objectives.
| |
ARPA Update
ARP OFFICE HOURS
-
Wednesday, January 10 — 8:30-9:30 a.m. (ARP specific)
- Friday, January 19 — 8:30-9:30 a.m. (General local government finance, including ARP)
- Wednesday, January 24 — 8:30-9:30 a.m. (ARP specific)
- Monday, January 29 — 12:00-1:00 p.m. (General local government finance, including ARP)
- Tuesday, February 6 — 8:30-9:30 a.m. (ARP specific)
- Tuesday, February 13 — 8:30-9:30 a.m. (General local government finance, including ARP)
- Thursday, February 22 — 12:00-1:00 p.m. (ARP specific)
- Tuesday, February 27 — 8:30-9:30 a.m. (General local government finance, including ARP)
Zoom Information:
https://zoom.us/j/95481909044?pwd=UlE2VHNhN2luS0JEYTJqeTZTMFRWdz09
Meeting ID: 954 8190 9044
Passcode: 779726
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,95481909044# US
+19292056099,,95481909044# US (New York)
INTERNAL CONTROL IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS
Headline: City finance employee embezzles public money. While the facts may differ, the story underlying this all-too-common headline is usually one in which a trusted employee slowly pockets money by writing checks or electronically transferring funds to a personal bank account until the fraud is eventually uncovered. How did this happen? Citizens want to know. They look to the governing board for answers—we elected you and entrusted you to protect us....Read More
NCDIT RELEASES UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR THE COMPLETING ACCESS TO BROADBAND (CAB) PROGRAM
On August 11, the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) released updated guidance on the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program. The CAB program offers interested counties the opportunity to partner with the state broadband office to fund broadband deployment projects in unserved and underserved areas of the county. Key updates include information on the use of CAB funds for eligible unfunded GREAT grant projects, the statewide Information Technology convenience contract for internet service providers to participate in CAB, and planning project areas.
Click here to access the newly updated CAB guidance
| |
|
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
| |
The Next NC Scholarships Expands Tuition Assistance for Students
North Carolina students from households making $80,000 or less could have their tuition and fees fully covered at any of the state’s 58 community colleges or more than half of, if not all, of their tuition and fees covered at any of North Carolina’s 16 public universities thanks to the new Next NC Scholarship.
Students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000. That’s more than the cost of full-time tuition, which means qualifying North Carolinians can choose from any of the 58 community colleges across the state and have all of their tuition and fees 100% covered.
Those attending a public university in North Carolina will get a minimum of $5,000. That pays for more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities in the state.
Students with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for even more funding to help make paying for college more manageable.
| |
Learn American Sign Language! Class begins January 16 and meets on Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm, on the Tarboro campus. Fee is $75. Contact ashmanp@edgecombe.edu. | |
Beginning on January 1, more households can apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance program. If you struggle to pay your heating bill, there's hope for heat this year. | |
|
20 Jobs Expected to Be in Demand in 2024
Older workers looking for new jobs have reasons to be optimistic about 2024. Entering the year, the unemployment rate nationwide continues to be very low, measuring 3.7 percent at the end of November for people of all ages and 2.9 percent for people 55 and older. Those low numbers mean businesses will have to compete harder to hire and keep workers, which often translates into higher salaries, more flexibility and better benefits.
To identify which jobs will see the most demand for workers in 2024, AARP looked at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections on the prospects for various careers from now until 2032 to see which fields appear to offer promising opportunities for older workers. The analysis found a range of professions suitable for different types of work experience. Overall, jobs related to online shopping — from website design to package delivery — earned the most spots on this list.
| |
|
Second Round of Ordering for Free COVID-19 Tests Now Open
Starting on September 25, every U.S. household had an opportunity to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through a partnership between the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service.
On November 20, a second round of ordering opened, allowing each household to place a second order to receive four more free tests. Households that have not yet placed an order can place two orders now, to receive a total of eight tests.
To order your free tests, go to COVID.gov and complete the form with your contact and shipping information.
People who are blind or have low vision can place a second order for free Ellume COVID Home Tests, which are more accessible than other options. For more information, including ordering instructions, please visit ACL's website.
| |
|
For the first time, adults 60 and older are eligible to receive a vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Although many people may have not heard of RSV, it’s worth knowing that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved two vaccines for this age group: Arexvy made by the drug company GlaxoSmithKline and Abrysvo made by the company Pfizer. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also given the green light to the vaccines following FDA approvals.
Since this is the first time an RSV vaccine has been made widely available, some older people may be wondering why it might be needed. Is RSV a major problem in adults, especially older adults? How effective are these new vaccines? How should it be timed in relation to the Covid-19 and influenza vaccines? And is there a similar vaccine to protect young children?
| |
School of Government FY 23-24 Course Catalog
As the School of Government looks ahead to 2023-2024, we are pleased to release our updated course catalog.
The courses in this catalog focus on topics related to local government law, finance, management, administration, and leadership.
This catalog lists all scheduled courses at the time of its printing. Additional courses may be added throughout the year.
For up-to-date-information, view upcoming course opportunities online.
| |
Community Development Academy
February 1- April 25, 2024 | Online
9:00am-12:15pm | Course Cost: $915
Community development practitioners will benefit from this weekly intensive course that meets on Thursday mornings. It is designed for community development practitioners and covers the concepts, methods, and strategies of community economic development. The course provides practitioners with perspectives and practical skills surrounding community development in North Carolina.
What You'll Learn:
- Community development finance
- Affordable housing strategies and tools
- Role of economic development
- CDBG and related grant programs
- Environmental finance
- Visioning and citizen participation
- Tools for group decision-making
- Purchasing and contracting
- Measuring success
- Grants management
Click here to go to the course page and register.
| |
2024 Essentials of Municipal Government Workshops
The School of Government’s Center for Public Leadership and Governance and our partner organization, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, are honored to offer our biennial school for newly elected municipal officials, Essentials of Municipal Government. This course is specifically designed to help those who are new to elected office successfully transition from campaigning to governing.
In this two-day course you will learn:
- The fundamentals of municipal government law, authority, and practice.
- The core functions of municipal government and the importance of your Town Charter.
- The role of the elected body and your role as one of its members.
- The legal boundaries of ethics and transparency.
- The exemplary habits of a high-performing governing board, including building positive relationships with staff and external partners who influence life in your communities.
Essentials of Municipal Government also provides an excellent opportunity for incumbents to learn about newer elements of the laws affecting municipal governance and to fulfill their mandatory Ethics training requirement. All participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the value of governing at the municipal level, and for the importance of developing the skills and behaviors that lead to effective local government leadership. Participants especially appreciate getting to know other elected officials from across their regions and learning from each other’s experiences.
This engaging course includes role-plays, small group discussions, peer-to-peer insights, and practical tips and tools for navigating the municipal governing environment. Dates and location for the upcoming program cycle are:
- Jan 11-12 – The Grandover Hotel, High Point
- Jan 18-19 – UNC Wilmington
- Jan 25-26 – Rocky Mount Event Center
- Feb 15-16 – Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
- Feb 22-23 – Chapel Hill, SOG (Hybrid)
Please visit the course registration page for more information to register: https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/essentials-municipal-government
| |
Local Government Fundamentals
Chapel Hill, NC
February 20, 2024
This course will focus on the fundamentals of local government law. It will begin with an overview of the structure, power, and authority granted to local governments by the state legislature to act on matters of local concern. It will also cover the transparency rules for conducting open meetings and creating public records; it will touch on the legal requirements for expending public money under the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act; and it will explore the state law requirements for entering into public contracts. The complete agenda is located under the course materials tab.
This course is appropriate for employees who are new to local government or for those who may be transitioning into new roles.
|
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.
| |
UNC SOG Water/Wastewater Finance Strategies Course
The UNC School of Government is pleased to announce that registration for the Water and Wastewater Finance Strategies course is now open. This is a two-day in-person course that will take place on February 15-16, 2024 at the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill. The following includes instructions on the registration process and a link to access the registration page.
To register, click the registration link below and scroll down to “Water and Wastewater Finance Strategies,” then click “Register Now.” After registering, you should receive a confirmation email. Once registration has closed, complete information regarding instructions, materials, and details about the course will be provided via email. Please see the Water and Wastewater Finance Strategies course page for more information about the course itself.
Registration Link:
Click Here to Register
REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th AT 5:00 PM.
| |
121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
| | | | | |
