Robert Hiett
Executive Director
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Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 |
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2020 Census: Review Completed Data
The 2020 Census results show significant growth for our state, and offer a helpful dataset for our local governments. Linked below are several key resources for our local leaders.
Key Links:
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What the New CDC Eviction
Moratorium Means for you
The CDC issued a new eviction moratorium on August 3, 2021 to temporarily halt evictions in counties where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. If you are struggling to pay rent, the new pause in evictions may help you stay in your home, but you may need to take action.
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Congratulations to the 2021 Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Awards recipients! The Impact Awards program honors NADO members for their creative approaches to advancing regional economic development and improved quality of life. These projects have made significant impacts on their regions and demonstrate the diversity of services and program delivery provided by regional development organizations across the country. The 2021 class of awardees consists of 102 projects from 70 organizations spanning 23 states. Stay tuned in October for the release of a StoryMap that will highlight the stories behind each of these projects.
We are honored to be among the awardees for the following projects:
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments, Aging CARES
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments, Digital Inclusion Planning Process
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments, Healthy Food Access Mapping
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Apply for the Hometown Grants Program
In partnership with Main Street America and Smart Growth America, T-Mobile is committing $25 million toward small town grants over the next five years through its Hometown Grants program. The program will award up to 100 towns per year with project funding grants of up to $50,000 each. The program will focus on revitalizing community spaces in towns with 50,000 people or less. Main Street programs are encouraged to apply. For more information on the program and to apply, click here.
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Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program
NCEM is now seeking funding requests for infrastructure projects from local governments for several upcoming funding rounds through FEMA. Cities, townships, counties and tribal entities are encouraged to submit their letters of intent using the EMGrants portal no later than October 1, 2021 at 5:00pm. One of the funding sources currently available is the BRIC 2021 National Competition.
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program, is funded by FEMA and administered through a partnership with the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM). NCEM has the authority and responsibility for developing and maintaining a State Standard Hazard Mitigation Plan, reviewing the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program sub-applications, recommending technically feasible and cost effective sub-applications to FEMA and providing pass-thru funding for FEMA-approved and awarded project grants to eligible sub-applicants.
Funding for this program has doubled to $1B since last year. Last year, of the 22 projects selected competitively, five were from North Carolina.
Key Dates for BRIC 2021
Oct 1: LOI Due
Oct 11: Screening Panel
Oct 15: Invitation to Apply
Oct 18-Nov 19: BCA Technical Assistance
Nov 24: Sub-Application Due
Dec 1: NCDPS Prioritization Panel
Dec 6-7: Sub-Applicant Meetings
Jan 7: Final Application Due
Jan 28: State Application Submitted
Eligible Subapplicants
State Agencies
Federally-Recognized Tribes
Local Governments/Communities
Federally-recognized Native American Tribal Governments
Local governments/communities may include non-federally recognized tribes, or consistent with definition of local government at 44 CFR 201.2, may include any Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization that is not federally recognized per 25 U.S.C. 479a et seq.
Eligible Project Activities
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program aims to categorically shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience. FEMA anticipates BRIC funding projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to partnerships, such as shared funding mechanisms, and/or project design. For example, an innovative project may bring multiple funding sources or in-kind resources from a range of private and public sector stakeholders or offer multiple benefits to a community in addition to the benefit of risk reduction.
Through BRIC, FEMA will continue to invest in a variety of mitigation activities with an added focus on infrastructure projects and Community Lifelines.
BRIC Funding
As appropriated by the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116-6); Section 203(i) of the Stafford Act, as amended (Pub. L. No. 93-288) (42 U.S.C. § 5133), the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program provides resources to assist states, tribal governments, territories and local communities in their efforts to implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (Pub. L. No. 93-288) (42 U.S.C. § 5133) as implemented by Hazard Mitigation Assistance: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (FP:104-008-05).
Applicants and Subapplicants must have a FEMA approved mitigation plan as of the application deadline in order to apply for mitigation projects in accordance with Title 44 CFR Part 201.
· BRIC projects must be cost-effective, technically feasible, effective, and consistent with the goals of applicable FEMA-approved State and local multi-hazard mitigation plans.
· Eligible subapplications are awarded on a nationally competitive basis.
· Federal funding is available for up to 75 percent of the eligible activity cost.
· Small, impoverished communities may be eligible for up to a 90 percent federal cost share.
Benefit Cost Analysis
The traditional FEMA-approved software-based BCA Flood Modules to determine the cost effectiveness of a project must be used. Subapplicants must use a FEMA approved methodology to perform a BCA. Only project subapplications that demonstrate cost-effectiveness through a benefit cost ratio of 1.0 or greater will be considered. The BCA must be attached to the subapplicant's application. The FEMA approved BCA Toolkit, which includes the Flood Modules, may be downloaded at no cost at https://www.fema.gov/benefit-cost-analysis. The BCA Helpline may be contacted by telephone at (866) 222-3580 or via e-mail at bchelpline@dhs.gov.
Resources
Publications and tools for the BRIC program can be found in the links below:
Contact
Kaine Riggan
Grants Development Specialist
Office: 919-873-5854
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2021 CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program NOFA
Approximately $10 million is available for the 2021 CDBG-NR program. Eligible activities include housing rehabilitation, infrastructure support for housing development, and public facilities. Special consideration will be given to projects impacted by the Pre-2015 US Treasury recapture.
Please be aware that NC Commerce now requires that all visitors to the building have a scheduled appointment. Also, staff must come to the lobby to greet all guests. For this reason, applications and other program documents must be sent by US Postal Service or an overnight service.
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Comprehensive Plans and Land Use Plans Required for Zoning
What investments should our town make to lure new economic development? How can we improve housing options? How can we revitalize downtown? How do we preserve our agricultural lands and ensure property rights? How do we protect our community from natural disaster?
These are essential questions for communities large and small. Questions of prosperity and opportunity, character and preservation, resilience and revitalization. Questions without simple answers.
A quality comprehensive plan or land-use plan seeks to answer these big questions. A good planning process is focused on land use planning, grounded in key data for current conditions and trends, guided by authentic community input, informed by planning best practices, and aligned with practical implementation strategies. Through that process and with an adopted plan, a local government can engage citizens in policy-making, wisely invest public dollars, guide development decisions, qualify for certain grants and government funding, and more.
Additionally, a new state law requires that if a local government wants to enforce zoning the local government must have and maintain a comprehensive plan or land-use plan. This blog outlines the statutory requirements for plans, suggests some alternatives for smaller communities, and highlights possible assistance for planning efforts.
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Sept. 14 Affordable Housing and the Intersection with Downtown
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Sept. 29 Better Community Planning & Economic Development: Redeveloping Suburbs and Commercial Corridors |
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As people digest the 2020 Census counts released last week, they are asking if Census counts can be challenged and how. The answer is "Yes," and here is a general description.
The US Census Bureau conducts the Count Question Resolution (CQR) program after decennial censuses. CQR allows local governments to challenge their census counts based on limited issues:
- boundary - the Census used incorrect boundaries for an area
- geocoding - housing units or group quarters were counted in the wrong place (inside/outside city or county limits)
- coverage - housing units or group quarters were not counted at all
Local governments must document their challenge and make their case. The CQR operation is free and runs from January 2022 - June 2023. After the CQR operations, local governments may pay for a Special Census (a recount) of their areas, but Special Censuses are very expensive.
The NC Office of State Budget and Management held a virtual event in May for local governments discussing the 2020 Redistricting data, the new Census Disclosure Avoidance System, and CQR. Subject matter experts from the US Census Bureau spoke on these topics. Their presentations and a video of the event are available online.
The CQR website will also provide more detail.
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Registration is Now Open for What the 2020 U.S. Census Means for N.C.
September 21, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Join the N.C. League of Municipalities and two of the state’s U.S. Census experts for a webinar and Q&A opportunity related to the recent release of the 2020 U.S. Census results. N.C. State Demographer Michael Cline and N.C. Census Liaison and State Data Center Coordinator Bob Coats will present on the recent release of the Census results and the state’s certified population estimates and be available to answer questions from local officials.
Local elected officials and staff are encouraged to join us for the FREE webinar regarding the Census results and any next steps to be considered going forward.
Hope to see you then!
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Turning Point Workforce Development Board staff recently supported education and workforce at the opening of the Maker Space in Halifax County. Duna Long, Special Projects Outreach Coordinator and Frince Williams, Business Engagement Coordinator attended the Halifax County Schools’ ribbon cutting for their new Maker Spaces at Enfield Middle and Williams R Davie Middle Schools. The Maker Spaces include robots, 3D printers, solar panel operated fans and more that can be used by Middle school students to grow their Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math skills.
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New NC Job Ready Workforce Investment Grants introduced to support workforce training
North Carolina will add a new type of targeted workforce training grant to the state’s economic development toolkit. Up to $1 million will be available to fund grants during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, approved a policy creating the NC Job Ready Workforce Investment Grants during its quarterly meeting, held August 11 at North Carolina State University.
“As we continue to align economic development with workforce development, NC Job Ready Workforce Investment Grants will demonstrate to businesses around the world that North Carolina places a high value on talent,” said Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “We look forward to working with NCWorks partners on this innovative grant program, and we encourage all employers to collaborate with NCWorks on recruiting and training.”
Each of North Carolina’s 23 local workforce development boards may apply to DWS for these grants in conjunction with economic development projects. A grant of up to $50,000 per project can support On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) to assist companies that choose to locate or expand in North Carolina.
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Congratulations to the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board for their work with the Business Support Services Pathways team! The certificate of implementation was recently presented by Brandi Bragg, Northeast NC Career Pathways Coordinator and Duna Long, Outreach and Special Projects Coordinator with the Turning Point Workforce Development Board. Career Pathways partners (school systems, employers and other partners) have worked to complete pathways for several years now and when approved, move forward in assisting in the implementation process. The region has State-certified areas for schools to provide a “path” for our young people to thrive in education while showing their skills and interests along the way. We are proud to recognize Roanoke Rapids Graded School District and very pleased to work with them in our Region. |
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Get ready for the Virtual NCWorks Partnership Conference in October!
The 2021 NCWorks Partnership Conference will be presented virtually, with sessions on various days and times from October 12-22. This year’s theme is “NC Strong: Our Story of Resilience.” As in 2020, this virtual conference is free of charge!
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Vaccinations for those In-Home & Other Vaccine Questions
Are you unable to leave home and get your vaccine?
To slow the spread of COVID-19 and help North Carolinians protect their communities and families, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announces a statewide initiative to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to people who stay at home because of limited mobility. NCDHHS is working with Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) to help expand on existing models, reaching further into communities in the state.
For anyone in North Carolina who finds it hard to get out and needs the free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccine, please complete the form in the link below or call 866-303-0026. A PTRC staff member will follow up with a phone call within three business days.
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Visitation in Long-Term Care Facilities
Residents of long-term care have been subject to strict visitation policies for months since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies have had a significant effect on the health and well-being of residents. Find information and resources below on the latest federal guidance on visitation, things to look for as visitors begin to be permitted into facilities, voting resources, and how to advocate for long-term care residents.
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Cognitive Function Improves in Older Adults with People who Listen, Offer Support
Having someone available to listen and offer support to older adults helps stave off dementia, a study published Monday by JAMA Network Open found.
Adults age 65 and older who reported having friends and family in their lives who listen to them when they need to talk showed increased signs of "cognitive resilience," compared to peers who did not have this social support, the data showed.
Cognitive resilience is a measure of the brain's ability to function better than would be expected for the amount of physical aging or disease-related changes to which it has been exposed, including Alzheimer's disease.
"We think of cognitive resilience as a buffer to the effects of brain aging and disease," study co-author Dr. Joel Salinas said in a press release.
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Spread the Word About Emergency Rental Assistance
Older adults who are at risk of eviction or utility disconnections may be unaware that emergency assistance is available. AAAs and other community-based organizations now have an easy way to spread the word. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a new online communications toolkit with ready-made content for newsletters, blogs, email blasts and social media posts. Although headlined as “emergency rental assistance,” funding is also available to help with utilities and moving costs.
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: 2021 AARP Livable Communities Workshop – Engaging Older Adults: Why It’s Good for the Community
The 2021 AARP Livable Communities Workshop will explore how engaging older residents makes communities more livable for people of all ages. The free, online workshop will be held September 22 and 23 from 1 to 4 pm ET. Join national leaders, AARP staff and volunteers, and community practitioners for a deep dive into proven strategies and programs that engage residents to solve pressing community problems.
Through three core themes — collaborating with community, collectively taking action, and celebrating impact — participants in this two-day workshop will discuss inclusive, purposeful, and innovative approaches to community engagement. In addition, presentations from more than 30 speakers will offer a reflection point on how community engagement has adapted due to the coronavirus pandemic, what new models have emerged, and what we can learn from them as we prepare for a post-pandemic future. For more information about the event, as well as the link to register, please visit AARP.org/Livable2021.
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Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated (VAD) Properties Training
The Center for Community Progress will be hosting a free Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated (VAD) Properties Training academy for public, private, nonprofit, and community leaders whose work and communities are impacted by challenges related to VAD properties.
Center for Community Progress’ VAD Academy was created to help public, private, nonprofit, and resident leaders craft equitable, effective approaches to addressing these property challenges. From breaking down complex systems to sharing smart strategies for resident engagement and fostering compliance, the VAD Academy aims to equip leaders to help return properties to purposeful use.
The VAD Academy will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 28th 2021. To register for the VAD Academy or for more information click Here.
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Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design Community Engagement Webinar
Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) will host a Models and Practices for Meaningful Community Engagement webinar on September 15, 2021 at 2:00 PM ET. Participants will learn about three different engagement models, share practices for more inclusive and accessible participation including virtual hosting, and create a shared resource on engagement practices.
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Recording Available from NADO and EDA Joint Webinar on EDA American Rescue Plan Funding Opportunities
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2021 AARP Livable Communities Workshop September 22 and 23
This online AARP Livable Communities workshop will showcase strategies, initiatives and programs that engage older adults and solve pressing community problems. Sessions run from 1-4:00 p.m. ET on both September 22 & 23. Registration is free.
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121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
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