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Details for Morrisville Carpenter Road: 

Drivers should expect to see construction activities along Morrisville Carpenter Road between Church Street and Misty Groves Circle. Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic patterns will remain the same near the Morrisville Carpenter Road and Town Hall Drive intersection.

For details visit: http://bit.ly/mcrcp1

Lee County Government Offering Vaccination Clinics for Phase 1- Phase 4 starting on Monday.  

(See Vaccination Section for details) 

Monday marked the start of Women’s Month!   #WomensHistoryMonth, is a time to honor & recognize the contributions of women throughout history and those who are working tirelessly today to improve our communities. #WomenLead.

In recognizing the accomplishments of women in leadership this month, and March 5 being Employee Appreciation Day, the Town is proud to highlight the following leaders in the Town of Morrisville:

Learn more about the Town’s departments by visiting: https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/departments-services

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Over the past few years, we have had tremendous success in both recruiting and retaining the top technology and life science companies to Morrisville.  10 percent of all Public Companies are headquartered in Morrisville, many of them are tech and pharma.  

Last year the Triangle Business Journal listed the top 99 Public Companies in North Carolina, and 10 of them are headquartered in Morrisville.  

#8 Syneos Health

#46 Channel Advisor

#56 Heat Biologics

#58 Liquidia Technologies

#68 Novan Inc.

#71 Issuer Direct Corp.

#75 TransEnterix Inc.

#85 Charles & Colvard

#87 Tenax Therapeutics Inc.

#94 Pyxus International

In addition, Morrisville is home to Cisco Systems (5000 jobs), Lenovo (700 jobs) Credit Suisse ( 2600 jobs), Oracle (500 jobs), UNC Health Care (1000 jobs), Spectrum (800 jobs), Q2 Solution (300 jobs), Metabalon (200 jobs), and Synteract (200 jobs).   

 

Microsoft, Syneos Health, and a number of Life Science Companies continue to announce expansions, most recently, Fuji Film Diosynth, whose team was a critical part of Operation Warp Speed.  I was also involved in introducing the Airport Outlet Mall in Morrisville to Equator Capital, whose $31 million purchase of the mall, has resulted in the Stich, a world class Office Complex, which will be the headquarters to a number of growing companies in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry.  

On any given day, well over 50,000 employees work in Morrisville.  Let’s work with Developers to build workforce housing and medium density homes, closer to these work Centers where folks can not only work here, but live here as well.  We can get these folks to live, work and play in Morrisville, dining at our restaurants, connecting to Transit, and walking to work on our greenways and parks!   

Partnering with developers can help us get much needed transportation and infrastructure investments while providing the much needed, affordable, workforce housing, which can attract a younger, demographic.  Focus on younger populations will also address the concerns about overcrowding schools.  

A recent example of this type of partnership is the Slater Multi Family Project, where Dominion Realty’ s public infrastructure investment is around $950,000.00. (This includes all committed road improvements, The sidewalk on the north side of Slater Road, the multiuse path on the south side of Slater Road, The extension of the public water line, and the extension so the public sewer line (not the portions that serve only our project)

They have committed to a $15,000 contribution for the installation of a traffic light which the TIA found was not recommended for this project and they will contribute $516,120 to the Town’s parkland fund.  

An Innovation District along the McCrimmon Corridor can include Class A office space, workforce housing, dining establishments (i.e. A Food Hall) and other amenities. This district, along our Transit Corridor, will become a connection point for thought leaders in innovative fields including technology and the life sciences within an urban environment, and can at the same time provide for gathering centers in Morrisville, and promote local and diverse artisans and makers.

3) Technology Incubators:  Establish an Incubator, that can connect entrepreneurs with mentors, resources, and showcase innovation to larger companies (i.e. connecting our entrepreneurs to our larger companies).    

4) Mayors Jobs and Innovation Task Force: Establish a CEO Task Force of Market Leading Companies in Morrisville to Advise the Council and Morrisville Chamber of Commerce on policies, which can lead to continued job growth, recruitment, and retention of Technology, Pharma and Life Science Companies in Morrisville.  I am already shared this Idea with a number of CEOs, and they are very interested in this idea.  

5) Sister Cities Program with San Jose, California: A sister cities program with San Jose and the Silicon Valley area can enable us to reach out to companies and entrepreneurs, who may want to expand or grow operations in Morrisville and the Triangle as we can offer a lower cost of living and a very high quality of life for our citizens.  

6) Crowd Funding Initiative for Morrisville Small Businesses and a Town of Morrisville Small Business Liaison. (More on this on our Small Business Playbook)  

Over the next few weeks, I will be putting together listening sessions and Focus Groups across the Town with the Business Community, Neighborhoods, Technology Leaders/CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and HOAs to develop a Long Term Vision for the Town, as I consider how I will continue to serve the citizens of Morrisville, either running for the same At Large Seat, and based on many citizens’ request across the Town, am putting together an Exploratory Committee for Mayor as I explore at serving in another role on the Council.

I will make my final decision by mid April of whether I will run again for the Council and if I do, for what Seat.   I thank the many citizens across the Town who have expressed an interest in me continuing to serve.

Either way, I want to thank all of the citizens for allowing me to serve you or the past decade, both as an At Large Council Member and a former Mayor Pro Tem.

It is time to imagine what Morrisville can be, and to develop a Play Book so we can be the Number One Town to Live, Work, and Play in!

Please email me to sr@steverao.com to set up a Listening Session. Lets Imagine Morrisville Together and develop our playbook together.  It is time to win Championships!

We can be the Champions of the World!

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/stimulus-update-us-relief-bill-03-05-21/index.html  

Sen. Manchin agrees to a Compromise of $300 Unemployment Benefits

(See Stimulus Section for Details)

Pressure continues for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign and third accuser steps forward.  

President Biden Says US will have enough Vaccine for all Adults by May, priority will be for Teachers.

This week, the Wake County Board of Education agreed to consider a plan that would return students in grades 4 and 5 to daily in-person instruction as early as Monday, March 15. The board is scheduled to take a final vote on the issue March 9.  The Decision would not apply to students enrolled in the Virtual Academy.   

In alignment with Executive Order No. 195, indoor and outdoor high school athletics facilities may now allow spectators up to 30 percent of capacity while ensuring that all groups maintain at least six feet of social distancing. 

(See Wake County Athletics Section)

The North Carolina State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction on Thursday adopted new state guidance for reopening the state’s public schools, which would urge the remaining school districts in remote-only learning to open classrooms back up to students.

No one voted against the measure, which was part of several voted on at once. It passes about a year after schools first closed because of the spread of the novel coronavirus and the subsequent pandemic in the United States.

Nearly all North Carolina public school districts offer at least Plan A (minimal distancing) or Plan B (6 feet of distancing) learning or plan to later this month, per the North Carolina School Boards Association. That doesn’t include public charter schools.

Schools must still offer a remote-only learning option for students or parents who wish to continue having one.

The state House approved House Bill 128 to increase the number of spectators allowed to attend North Carolina school sporting events and graduation ceremonies. The bill passed 77-42.

The legislation, which would apply to all K-12 schools and public community colleges and universities, will expand seating capacity to 30% for both indoor and outdoor events while providing local flexibility to increase capacity up to 50%.

Currently, Gov. Roy Cooper's order caps outdoor attendance at 30% and indoor at 15%.

The state House of Representatives approved legislation on Wednesday directing $1.7 billion of additional COVID-19 relief funding to North Carolina communities.

House Bill 196 2021 COVID-19 Response & Relief Act extends COVID-19 regulatory relief to North Carolinians in addition to funding.

The bill directs more than $600 million statewide for testing, tracing, and prevention needs, as well as $100 million for K-12 public school needs and $290 million for higher education emergency relief. It includes another $40 million to support summer learning programs in addition to education funds approved by the legislature last month.

House Bill 196 also provides funds for farms, fisheries, food banks, small business grants, broadband, summer school programs, mental health and substance abuse services, and upgrades to the NC COVID Vaccine Management System, among other allocations.

H.B. 196 now goes to the North Carolina Senate for consideration.

NCDHHS said new COVID-19 cases in North Carolina long-term facilities have declined rapidly in the last several weeks. Data says case rates are down more than 15-fold in skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes since the peak of transmission in January 2021. 

Given those decreases, most facilities meeting criteria can resume indoor visitation.

Biden Proposed Changes to Paycheck Protection Program:  The changes include a 2-week window for businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which begins on Wednesday. The changes also emphasize equity, by approving $1 billion in loans for businesses owned by women and people of color. The program is not expected to be extended past March 31.

If you are a Small Business, and in need of working capital and business assistance, please check out the Verizon Program at https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/small-business-relief-grants/verizon-small-business-recovery-fund/.

Every Friday/Saturday, I am sharing a Play from my Morrisville Playbook which will transform us to be the number one Town to Live, Work, and Play in the country.  

TOWN OF MORRISVILLE OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE ORDER 195 COMPLIANCE

Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 195 that will “ease but not lift” restrictions related to COVID-19 across the state.  The Town of Morrisville Administration is working on how our Town Operations, Meetings, and Facilities will be affected by this Order and I will update you next week when I receive more information.

The new order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26.

Executive Order 195 has two general categories of occupancy restrictions: 30 percent capacity and 50 percent capacity. Officials say that because indoor spaces have a higher risk for spread of COVID-19, those facilities in the 30 percent-occupancy category may not exceed 250 people per indoor room or indoor space.

Indoor event venues with more than 5,000 seats may be excepted from the 250 person limit if they follow additional safety measures up to 15 percent capacity.

Some businesses that were limited to operating outdoors at 30 percent capacity will still have that percentage but will no longer have a 100-person cap. That includes sports fields and venues, stadiums, outdoor bars, outdoor amusement parks and other outdoor businesses.  The new order will also allow some indoor businesses to open at 30 percent capacity with a cap of 250 people. These businesses include bars and taverns, indoor amusement parks, movie theaters, indoor sports arenas and others.

On-site alcohol sales will have to end at 11 p.m.

An exception for larger indoor arenas with a capacity of more than 5,000 people will allow up to 15% capacity “if more safety protocols are followed,” Cooper said, adding that most college and professional indoor sports, such as basketball or hockey, can have fans at 15 percent capacity with certain protocols.

Mass gathering limits will be increased to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.

In alignment with Executive Order No. 195, indoor and outdoor high school athletics facilities may now allow spectators up to 30 percent of capacity while ensuring that all groups maintain at least six feet of social distancing.

The new guidelines go into effect immediately. Individual schools will communicate with their families when they will be prepared to begin allowing up to 30 percent capacity.

Here are some key components of the new spectator guidelines:

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The $1.9 trillion coronavirus package passed by the Senate contains a wide range of proposals to help Americans still struggling with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

The legislation differs in at least three major ways from the bill that passed the House of Representatives last week. The final Senate package will have to be approved again by the House before it can be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Senators narrowed the eligibility for stimulus checks, trimmed the federal boost to unemployment benefits and removed a provision to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. The Senate parliamentarian ruled that the wage hike violated the strict rules of reconciliation, which is the procedure Democratic leaders are using to approve the bill in the chamber without any Republican support.

The Senate bill contains many of the same measures aimed at assisting Americans in need that were in the legislation approved by the House and the package that Biden unveiled in January. In addition to another round of direct payments, it would provide more assistance for people who are unemployed, hungry or uninsured as well as for those at risk of losing their homes. It also would provide a bigger tax break for parents.

The Senate bill would provide direct payments worth up to $1,400 per person to families earning less than $160,000 a year and individuals earning less than $80,000 a year.

The payments will phase out faster than they would have under the House version of the bill, which set the income caps at $200,000 for couples and $100,000 for individuals.

That means that not everyone who was eligible for a check earlier will receive one now -- but for those who do qualify, the new payments will top up the $600 checks approved in December, bringing recipients to a total of $2,000 apiece.

Individuals earning less than $75,000 would receive the full $1,400.

Married couples earning less than $150,000 a year would receive $2,800 -- and families with children would be eligible for an additional $1,400 per dependent.

The payments will be calculated based on either 2019 or 2020 income. Unlike the previous two rounds, adult dependents -- including college students -- would be eligible for the payments.

The jobless would receive a $300 weekly federal boost to unemployment benefits and would get those payments through September 6 -- an arrangement hammered out after hours of negotiation on Friday. Also, two key pandemic jobless benefits programs would be extended for the same period.

The deal also calls for making the first $10,200 of unemployment payments tax-free for households with annual incomes under $150,000.

This is a significant difference from the House bill, which would provide a $400 weekly enhancement through August 29 and continue the two pandemic programs for the same period. The House bill does not contain the tax provision.

Freelancers, gig workers, independent contractors and certain people affected by the pandemic can receive benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, while the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program increases the duration of payments for those in the traditional state unemployment system.

Out-of-work Americans will start running out of benefits in the two programs in mid-March, when provisions in December's $900 billion relief package begin phasing out.

The $300 enhancement that was part of the December deal also ends in mid-March.

Workers being paid at or just above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour will not see a boost in pay.

The Senate parliamentarian ruled in late February that increasing the hourly threshold to $15 does not meet a strict set of guidelines needed to move forward in the reconciliation process, which would allow Senate Democrats to pass the relief bill with a simple majority and no Republican votes.

Under both the Senate and House bills, food stamp recipients would see a 15% increase in benefits continue through September, instead of having it expire at the end of June.

And families whose children's schools are closed may be able to receive Pandemic-EBT benefits through the summer if their state opts to continue it. The program provides funds to replace free- and reduced-price meals that kids would have been given in school.

If you're behind on your rent or mortgage

Both bills would send roughly $20 billion to state and local governments to help low-income households cover back rent, rent assistance and utility bills.

About $10 billion would be authorized to help struggling homeowners pay their mortgages, utilities and property taxes.

They would provide $5 billion to help states and localities assist those at risk of experiencing homelessness and an additional $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers for those who are homeless.

Most families with minor children could claim a larger child tax credit for 2021, under a provision contained in both the Senate and House bills. Low-income parents, in particular, would benefit.

Qualifying families could receive a child tax credit of $3,600 for each child under 6 and $3,000 for each one under age 18, up from the current credit of up to $2,000 per child under age 17.

The enhanced credit would also become fully refundable so that more low-income parents could take advantage of it. Plus, households could receive payments monthly, rather than a lump sum once a year, which would make it easier for them to cover their expenses.

Families paying for child care services could receive some additional aid. The bills would provide $39 billion to child care providers, some of which must be used to help families struggling to pay the cost.

If you're sick, quarantining or caring for an ill loved one or a child whose school is closed, the bills may provide your employer an incentive to offer paid sick and family leave.

Unlike Biden's original proposal, the House and Senate bills would not require employers to offer the benefit. But they do continue to provide tax credits to employers who voluntarily choose to offer the benefit through October 1.

Last year, Congress guaranteed many workers two weeks' pay if they contracted Covid or were quarantining. It also provided an additional 10 weeks of paid family leave to those who were staying home with kids whose schools were closed. Those benefits expired in December.

More Americans could qualify for heftier federal premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act policies for two years, under both the Senate and House versions of the plan.

Enrollees would pay no more than 8.5% of their income towards coverage, down from nearly 10% now. Also, those earning more than the current cap of 400% of the federal poverty level -- about $51,000 for an individual and $104,800 for a family of four in 2021 -- would become eligible for help.

Lower-income enrollees could have their premiums eliminated completely, and those collecting unemployment benefits could sign up for coverage with no premiums in 2021.

But the Senate legislation provides more generous assistance to those who lost their jobs but want to remain on their employer health insurance plans through COBRA. These laid-off workers would not pay any premiums through the end of September under the Senate version.

The House bill would require them to pay 15% of the premium, though that could still prove costly.

The bills would provide $15 billion to the Emergency Injury Disaster Loan program, which provides long-term, low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration. Severely impacted small businesses with fewer than 10 workers will be given priority for some of the money.

They also provide $25 billion for a new grant program specifically for bars and restaurants. Eligible businesses may receive up to $10 million and can use the money for a variety of expenses, including payroll, mortgage and rent, utilities and food and beverages.

The Paycheck Protection Program, which is currently taking applications for second-round loans, would get an additional $7 billion and the bills would make more non-profit organizations eligible.

Another $175 million would be used for outreach and promotion, creating a Community Navigator Program to help target eligible businesses.

Wake County: Wake County Public Health Vaccine Hotline 919-250-1515.  It is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit website at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine!

Durham County: 919-635-8150 or email at DCoCOVIDvaccines@dconc.gov. 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162.

Duke Raleigh Hospital at (19) 620- 5167.

Process is to Call or visit website, join the waiting list, receive notification, and get your Vaccination Appointment!

To set up an Appointment with any County Department, please visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/findyourspot

Walgreens will offer Covid 19 Vaccine in 300 Stores (31,200 doses) in North Carolina starting on Feb 12 as a distributor under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and is planning to distribute 1 million doses of the Moderna Vaccine.  For more information, sign up at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19.

The Lee County Government Health Department announced that it will expand vaccine registration to include individuals in Group 4 beginning Monday. Beginning Monday, the county vaccine registration call center will register anyone in Groups 1, 2, 3, or 4 for the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine registration call center may be reached at (919) 352-3360 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. To register in Spanish, please call (919) 718-4640 and select option 8.

Wake County Public Health is collaborating with UNC Health, Duke, and Wake Med to launch a mass vaccination site starting Feb. 11. At PNC Arena, the home of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men’s Basketball, agreed to turn its 8,000-space parking lot into an appointment only drive-thru vaccine clinic.  Visit https://covid19.wakegov.com/pnc-arena-to-host-third-wake-county-mass-vaccination-site-thanks-to-public-private-partnership/

(See Wake County Mass Vaccination Information Below)

Wake County Public Health is collaborating with UNC Health, Duke, and Wake Med to launch a mass vaccination site starting Feb. 11. And the site will be open six days per week. at PNC Arena, the home of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men’s Basketball, agreed to turn its 8,000-space parking lot into an appointment only drive-thru vaccine clinic.

The site will begin with two days of vaccinations next week, with the goal of inviting more than 2,100 health care workers and those 65 and older from the county’s growing COVID-19 vaccine waitlist.

Appointments are required to receive a vaccination, and vaccinations will not be available without confirmation of a spot.   Starting Friday, health care workers and those over 65 years of age, will be notified by email, phone and text.

In addition to the more than 2,000 appointments available at the new appointment only drive-thru site next week:

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The FDA Advisory Committee has given the Green Light for emergency use authorization on Friday for the J & J Vaccine, which will only require one shot.

White House Officials expect to deliver 3 to 4 million doses of the J & J Vaccine next week. Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of Health and Human Services has confirmed that this could mean 50,000 to 60,000 doses for North Carolina if the State continues to receive about 3% of the allocation.  It is expected that we can expect to receive the Vaccine by mid next week.

The J & J Vaccine was tested using a single shot where both the Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines are two shots.  Those getting the Vaccine will only have to schedule one appointment and would only have to worry about getting to one vaccine site at a time.

In Clinical Trials, the J & J Vaccine was 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe cases of Covid 19.  Pfizer was 95 % effective and Moderna was 94.1% effective.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer BioNtech developed their vaccine using Messenger RNA, injecting a piece of Code that tells the body to make a piece of the Spike Protein that is a hallmark of the virus, that causes the Coronavirus. Once the protein is made, the body learns how to create anti bodies that it can use to fight the Virus, all without the threats posed by an active infection.

The J & J Vaccine works by infecting someone with an Adenovirus that is Carrying information about the Spike Protein. Once the Vaccine has been injected, the Adenovirus enters cell and makes the Coronavirus Spike Protein, allowing the body to learn how to fight off a potential infection.

View the Stream of the Retreat at https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/live-video.

Our Council held its annual retreat February 26-28. The three days of meetings were conducted virtually and streamed on the Town’s website. Throughout the retreat the Town Council focused on strategic deliberations that will inform future policy decisions, shared budget priorities and initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year, and participated in discussions to enhance working relationships and resident engagement.

Important discussions were held on a variety of subjects. Highlights are below.

Council also received and considered information on tree preservation standards in the Unified Development Ordinance, including prioritization of location, retention standards and tradeoffs in lieu of other requirements.

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157626867326360/?t=20 

Tune in to Episode 36 with my Wining Combo Podcast Interview with Keith Washo! 

 

Join us on March 7th at 4 pm on Radio Nyra for our interview with Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker!  

99.9 FM, 1490 AM, and 101.9 FM (Durham)

March 8 1- 2;30 pm RIOT Tour Reality Challenge Kick Off Event

For these meetings, stream them live at Town of Morrisville Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TownOfMorrisville/.

Send Public Comments via email to publiccomments@townofmorrisville.org by 3 pm!

March 15 2pm Virtual Wake County Commissioners Meeting

https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-commissioners/meetings-schedules-materials/meeting-schedule

March 24 and March 24th NC Tech Diversity and Inclusion in Tech Summit.   

Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/2816130957886/WN_NimDwDTJRJe-pgXEAheLUw.

 

The Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in collaboration with Carolina’s Modern Indian Studies initiative, will host a panel discussion on U.S.-India relations under a Biden administration via livestream at 6 p.m. EDT on April 7, 2021.

The panel will feature Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s ambassador to the U.S., and Ambassador Richard Verma, former U.S. ambassador to India. Anusha Chari, director of the Modern Indian Studies initiative and professor of economics and finance at UNC-Chapel Hill, will provide opening remarks. Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer at UNC-Chapel Hill, will give welcoming remarks and moderate the discussion. The panel will allow the diplomats to share their thoughts on how relations between the United States and India, two of the world’s largest democracies, are likely to unfold under the Biden administration.

Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.

99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!

Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.