FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Katie Allison

Communications Manager

kallison@nado.org

Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Receives

National Association of Development Organizations 2023 Impact Awards

Washington, DC, November 20, 2023 – Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments based in Wilson, NC, has received two 2023 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Technical Assistance to Local Governments and Creative Workforce Development Outreach projects.

NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies. The Impact Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities. 

Award-winning projects were recognized during NADO’s 2023 Annual Training Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio on November 7-10. The 2023 class of award recipients consists of 107 projects from 71 organizations spanning 28 states. These projects are presented in an interactive story map developed by NADO that includes project summaries, partners, and images. The map is available online at nado.org/2023-impact-award-recipients.  

“NADO’s Impact Awards program provides a yearly opportunity for us to publicly commend the indispensable services delivered by our members to their local communities,” said 2022-2023 NADO President Chris Fetzer, executive director of the Northern Arizona Council of Governments, located in Flagstaff, AZ. “These projects not only made positive impacts in their respective regions, but also underscore the incredible diversity of programs and resources offered by regional development organizations that promote vibrant, resilient, and thriving communities.”

The NADO Impact Awards are presented in honor of the late Aliceann Wohlbruck who served as NADO’s first executive director for 24 years as a tireless champion for regional approaches to economic development in rural communities.

About NADO

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.

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Congratulations to our staff who were awarded with service plaques at our annual business meeting in November: Amy Brown, 30 years, Michael Williams, 25 years, Carisa Rudd, 15 years, Mary Marlin, 15 years, Tyronda Whitaker, 10 years and Robert Hiett, 5 years.

USDOT Grants and Technical Assistance Navigator Tool 

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently launched the DOT Navigator, a new online resource designed to help communities identify federal grant and technical assistance opportunities. The DOT Navigator tool includes a searchable database of technical assistance opportunities as well as a variety of grant application resources. 

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) 

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.

Flood Mitigation Grant Program

Golden LEAF continues to accept applications for the Flood Mitigation Grant Program. The per project cap was recently increased from $250,000 to $2,000,000. Updated guidelines are posted on our website.

Eligible Entities

Funds may only be awarded to units of local government. Local governments from all 100 counties are eligible.

Eligible Projects

Up to $2,000,000 may be awarded per project.

• 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 implementation of flood mitigation solutions.

Process

Applications are due Tuesday, December 12 at 12pm.

Information about the program is available here.

Questions from potential applicants can be directed to submit the form here.

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.

ARPA Update

ARP OFFICE HOURS 

• Friday, December 8, 8:30-9:30am
• Wednesday, December 13, 12-1pm
• Wednesday, December 20, 8:30-9:30am

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

SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT RELEASES MODEL PROCUREMENT POLICY FOR EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

When spending federal financial assistance (e.g., federal grant awards), local governments are required to adopt written procurement policies to help ensure compliance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). The School of Government developed a model procurement policy intended to help local government recipients and sub-recipients of federal awards to comply with the Uniform Guidance procurement requirements.

• Click here to view the Model Procurement Policy
• Click here to access the School of Government’s PowerPoint presentation on Uniform Guidance Procurement
• Click here to access the School of Government’s sample contract terms compliant with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements



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 #NCWorks Career Center in Roanoke Rapids (Halifax & Northampton counties) was the N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions Career Center of the Week!

"Our staff members’ passion for their work is abundantly clear, as they don't just work in this community, they live in it, and the success of one is the success of us all,” said Taylor Hawkins III, the Center Manager.

Located at 1560 Julian R. Allsbrook Hwy, Roanoke Rapids, NC, this center is overseen by Turning Point Workforce Development Board, led by Director Michael Williams. For more information, email HalifaxNorthampton@NCWorks.gov. Thanks to our Halifax/Northampton County area partners!



NCWorks Career Center, Roanoke Rapids North Carolina Department of Commerce North Carolina Association of Workforce Development Boards Halifax County NC Northampton County, NC Local Government Halifax Community College.

AGING

Holiday Vaccination Guide for Older Adults

The Eldercare Locator can connect you with community providers in your area to help you get your recommended vaccines. These local organizations deliver a range of programs that help you access vaccines such as outreach programs, vaccine clinics, transportation programs and even in-home vaccinations for those who may need it.

https://www.usaging.org/Files/USAging-H4H-Brochure-English.pdf

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?

North Carolina’s Older Adult Population to

Almost Double in the Next 20 Years

Dramatic shifts are underway in North Carolina's population. What will this mean for our state and how are we preparing for these changes?

Author: Divya Venkataganesan, Rebecca Freeman, Swarna Reddy, NC DHHS

In North Carolina, a significant demographic shift is unfolding. Like other states and the nation, our population is aging. 

Today, one in every six North Carolinians (17%) are 65 years of age or older and this age group continues to grow appreciably. By 2024, one in five North Carolinians (20%) will be age 65 and older. This, coupled with a slowly growing childhood population (age 17 and under), this population segment’s size will exceed that of the childhood population by 2031. North Carolina's older adult population (age 65+) is set to double to an estimated 2.7 million in 2040 (from 1.8 million today). These dramatic shifts in the makeup of our state’s population highlight the need for policies that address this growing demographic segment.

This demographic transformation is multifaceted, shaped by the aging of the Baby Boom generation (the cohort of individuals who were born during a period of high fertility rates between 1946 and 1964), long-term increases in life expectancy with concomitant declines in fertility rates, and the migration of individuals from other states and abroad. The first part of the Baby Boom generation turned 65 in 2011. Since 2012 and into the future, over 100,000 North Carolinians have turned or will turn 65 every year. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be between the ages of 66 and 84.

Most counties have already reached a milestone expected of the state’s population. There are more older adults than children in 86 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Thus, there is already a need to expand healthcare and community resources and create aging-friendly environments. 

Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2% in 2024 as inflation moderates

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN

Updated 12:36 PM EDT, October 12, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024, far less than this year’s historic boost and reflecting moderating consumer prices. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, means the average recipient will receive more than $50 more every month beginning in January, the Social Security Administration said Thursday. The AARP estimated that increase at $59 per month.

“This will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Social Security’s acting commissioner.

You Should Have More Friends of All Ages

Intergenerational friendships make your life richer. Here’s how to cultivate them.

By Charley Locke  Nov 25, 2023, 8:00am EST

Charley Locke is a freelance journalist who often covers young people and older people. She regularly writes for publications including Vox, the New York Times, and the Atlantic.

In his first few months at Drexel University, Devin Welsh made some lifelong friends, as many first-year college students do. Unlike many collegiate friendships, his just happened to include a nearly five-decade age gap.

It all began when Welsh, an aspiring writer, decided to attend a workshop at Writers Room, Drexel’s university-community literary arts program. Shy and new to Philadelphia, he kept to himself. When he returned a month later, a woman his grandmother’s age approached him. “She was very nonchalant, and she said, ‘I remember you. You’re gonna read this month, right?’” says Welsh, now 25. He looked around to see who she was talking to before realizing it was him. “I felt seen, in a way that was supportive,” Welsh says. “She remembered me and was interested in what I had to contribute, and in a new city with new people, that was a wonderful feeling.”

In the seven years since, Welsh and Victoria Huggins Peurifoy, 71, developed a friendship through working together on projects at Writers Room. Now, they often work together in service of their Philadelphia writing community, but they also are regular friends: They call each other on the phone, joke with each other, and keep in touch.



Welsh and Peurifoy both find that the age difference enhances their friendship. Welsh talks with Peurifoy about changing ideas, like around gender identity, and brings an energy to their collaborations; Peurifoy brings a sense of perspective and a deep history in their shared community. Yet while they may be in different stages of their lives, Welsh and Peurifoy both emphasize that the most important aspects of their friendship are the same as for any meaningful connection: mutual respect, care, and an enjoyment in spending time together.

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.