We are excited to officially launch AskAshleigh—the first virtual caregiver integrated into an Area Agency on Aging. AskAshleigh provides immediate, personalized support with deep local knowledge, accessible at any hour of the day or night. Imagine having the expertise of Family Caregiver Resource Specialists right at your fingertips, helping you navigate caregiving challenges with real, actionable advice.

Caregiving is often an unexpected journey, filled with late nights, endless questions, and emotional challenges. For many families, especially those caring for loved ones with dementia, the journey can feel overwhelming and isolating.

This isn't just technology—it's a promise that no caregiver has to navigate this journey alone. For residents of Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, and Wilson counties, AskAshleigh is ready to provide the support you need.

Learn more: https://ucpcog.org/askashleigh/

NCARCOG Partners with Civic Local Foundation for Collecting Donations to Help with Helene Recovery

The North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Government has partnered with Civic Local Foundation to serve as a trusted source to collect financial donations to help communities recover from the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Civic Local Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Civic and Local Government Credit Unions, shares the same core values of NCARCOG of being a resource to the state of North Carolina and its local governments.

“Our goal is to be a resource and catalyst to help rebuild our state. We can’t do this alone and the partnership with Civic Local Foundation represents unity in our efforts to help support North Carolinians affected by this storm. We are grateful to everyone who has donated thus far and hope to continue to receive financial support to help impacted communities,” stated Justin Hembree, NCARCOG Board Chair.

Through the collaborative partnership, NCARCOG will distribute funding to local government entities and employees impacted by the storm, assist with recovery efforts administered by regional Council of Government agencies, and help supporting organizations such as non-profits and local businesses to provide resources and emergency supplies. 100% of the administrative costs for disbursing the funds are being covered by Civic and Local Government Credit Unions. This means every penny donated will directly assist those in Western North Carolina who need it most.

Grants Available to Advance Recycling Infrastructure

Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program



The recycling funding for Tribes and intertribal consortia will provide approximately $20 million total in awards ranging from $100,000 to $1.5 million each. The recycling funding for communities will provide approximately $58 million total in awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million each. This includes projects that will improve collection, transport, systems, and processes related to post-use materials that can be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, refurbished, or composted. Read more about those available to communities.

Application deadline is December 20, 2024.

Please contact rtownley@ucpcog.org if you need additional information.

Funding Available through Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an ambitious $2 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program that directly addresses the challenges and injustices too many communities face due to environmental and climate issues. It offers up to $20 million for projects focusing on climate resilience, pollution reduction, and building community capacity —particularly for those historically underserved. Recognizing the potential hurdles in navigating such significant funding opportunities, the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) steps in with a lifeline. SSDN's Local Infrastructure Hub (LIH) Regional Cohorts program is dedicated to bolstering the capacity of local governments and community-based organizations to apply for, secure, and manage federal funding, ensuring that those at the front lines of environmental and climate justice are fully equipped to bring about transformative changes. Application details and additional information about the program can be found on SSDN's website button below.

For more information, contact Nick Deffley at nick@southeastsdn.org.

The EPA has opened its Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program for 2024. The IRA funded program plans to spend $932M to fund projects in areas that are in nonattainment for current air quality standards. This program funds replacement of class 6 and 7 vehicles with zero-emission class 6 and 7 vehicles, including allocations for school bus, transit bus, and work truck replacements and allowances for charging infrastructure installation, workforce training, and some project costs. Contact Ron Townley: rtownley@ucpcog.org if you would like assistance.

Joint Office Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Playbook 



The Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Playbook provides guidance on planning, engagement, siting and funding for electric infrastructure, offering interactive modules with clear steps to facilitate the development of a zero-emission transportation system. CLICK HERE for playbook access. 

USDA and EDA Update Resources in Joint Guide to Boost Economic Development in Rural Communities

The Stronger Together: Federal funding and planning opportunities designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural America guide has been updated to provide a handy summary of EDA and USDA Rural Development programs that can be used to support common rural development strategies

N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency reopens Homeownership Assistance Program

Assistance available for first-time homebuyers in 16 storm-impacted counties

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) has reopened to assist eligible first-time and first-generation homebuyers in 16 eastern North Carolina counties. The program paused applications last year to ensure available federal funding would cover applications already in process. 

The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) committed $4.4 million in funding for the initiative, which can provide up to $30,000 in down payment assistance and up to 5% of the home sale price towards closing cost assistance to qualifying homebuyers. Approximately $2.2 million is still available to income-eligible homebuyers. The program also offers homebuyers education and counseling, which must be completed by the applicant prior to closing on a home and is offered at no cost through the program.

The Homeownership Assistance Program is made possible by HUD federal long-term mitigation funding provided through the NCORR Community Development Office. As part of NCORR’s mission of helping storm-impacted communities address urgent housing needs, HAP builds future resilience in areas hit hard by hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

The program will continue to serve low- to medium-income households in 16 counties federally designated by HUD as most impacted and distressed (MID) by hurricanes Matthew and Florence. These counties are Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Edgecombe, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, Scotland and Wayne. Previous applicants can reapply to HAP.

Interested applicants should read the program requirements to ensure their application meets the homebuyer and property rules for acceptance. Proof of mortgage loan pre-approval from a lender and a completed online interest form are required of applicants. Failure to follow these guidelines may disqualify applicants. Limited funding is available, so some applicants may not receive assistance.

The Homeownership Assistance Program is supported by North Carolina’s HUD Community Development Block Grant–Mitigation funding. The HAP program is one of multiple housing programs overseen by NCORR through its Community Development Office, which also administers the Affordable Housing Development Fund, Multifamily Development Fund, Public Housing Restoration Fund and Infrastructure Recovery Program. In addition to affordable housing, NCORR manages programs that support disaster recovery, resiliency, mitigation, strategic buyout, infrastructure and housing stability.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $7.5 billion in Available Financing for Water Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of $7.5 billion of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. The WIFIA program offers long-term loans to help communities implement critical water infrastructure projects, which protect public health, deliver environmental benefits, create over 60,000 good-paying jobs, protect waterways including drinking water sources, and support local economies, at a lower cost.

“Good infrastructure is the foundation for delivering clean, safe water to people across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The Biden-Harris administration has prioritized water infrastructure investment with this $7.5 billion infrastructure funding through WIFIA, on top of the unprecedented $50 billion in funding the Biden-Harris Administration secured under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With these resources, communities will keep building on progress to replace lead pipes, cut PFAS pollution, and protect people from climate change.”

The funding announcement demonstrates EPA’s continued commitment to water infrastructure improvements that ensure all communities have access to clean and safe drinking water. For this round of funding, EPA has identified the following priority areas:

• Increasing investment in disadvantaged communities and improving health and livability.
• Making rapid progress on lead service line replacement.
• Addressing PFAS – known as “forever chemicals” – and emerging contaminants.
• Strengthening climate resilience in the water sector.
• Supporting water innovation and resilience.

Learn more about the WIFIA program and this funding announcement. 

For further information: Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

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. 

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.

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

The Planning & Development Services Department is offering a paid summer internship for a Regional Planning Associate, through the Carolina Center for Public Service. This role includes engaging 20-40 hours per week, up to a total of 300 hours. Key responsibilities involve contributing to regional food system planning and updating the UCPCOG’s Digital Inclusion Plan, providing a blend of practical experience and community service.

Eligible candidates must be UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduates, North Carolina residents, meeting specific eligibility requirements, and capable of fulfilling the hours required. This internship is a valuable opportunity to gain professional experience while supporting rural community development across the UCPCOG’s five-county service area.

Learn more and apply here: https://ucpcog.org/news/regional-planning-associate-opportunity/

Please share if you know of any eligible applicants! 

EPA Launches New Initiative to Tackle PFAS, Identify Emerging Contaminants in Water

WASHINGTON - On November 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a new, no-cost technical assistance effort focused on reducing exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities. This initiative is part of EPA’s Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) program.

The Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative will help eligible public drinking-water systems evaluate emerging contaminant issues, conduct initial water quality testing, and identify next steps in 200 small or disadvantaged communities over the next three years. EPA will also share best practices and amplify successes through case studies, fact sheets, webinars, and other resources regarding addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS.

EPA’s free water technical assistance initiatives help communities identify their water challenges, develop plans, build capacity, and develop their application materials to access federal funding. The Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative builds on EPA’s robust suite of technical assistance programs and includes diagnostic water quality sampling and analysis, source water assessment, preliminary treatment design and evaluations, operational and sampling training, and identifying solutions to address emerging contaminants and PFAS contamination including community engagement and outreach support.

In April 2024, EPA issued the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to protect communities from exposure to harmful PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” Exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health impacts that include some cancers, liver and heart disease, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.

Communities can learn more about EPA’s new Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative, on EPA’s WaterTA website.

For further information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

Guide for Managing Maintenance: How Fleets Can Improve Operations

Discover actionable insights to optimize your fleet maintenance with the Guide for Managing Maintenance. This guide shares expert strategies from top fleets to help reduce downtime, streamline processes, and manage costs. Learn how to:



• Build an effective preventive maintenance (PM) plan that increases uptime.
• Optimize inventory to avoid costly part shortages and delays.
• Balance in-house and outsourced maintenance for a more flexible operation.
• Use data-driven practices to make smarter budgeting and resource allocation decisions.

For additional insights and resources on how to improve your fleet maintenance processes, click here.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide



Navigating eligibility and grant application procedures for federal hazard mitigation programs can be challenging. The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide, produced by FEMA, has been updated for 2024. It provides helpful information on the criteria, statutory and policy requirements and administrative and reporting procedures for four hazard mitigation grant programs: the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities(BRIC) grant program; the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program; and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire (HMGP Post Fire).

If your jurisdiction is considering pursuing these grants, this guide can be a helpful resource to understand the grant requirements and steps to take to submit an application and administer your grant

North Carolina Emergency Management also has resources, staff and programs to assist communities in applying for BRIC and FMA and HMGP funding, and encourages interested communities to reach out using contacts found on those web pages.

EPA Releases New Tools to Help Small, Rural, and Tribal Communities with Lagoons Manage Wastewater and Protect Waterbodies

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released resource tools to help protect public health and local water bodies in communities that rely on lagoons for wastewater management.

Lagoon wastewater treatment systems are typically used in communities that are smaller than 3,000 people and can lack the necessary financial and technical resources to comply with the Clean Water Act. EPA’s new tools are intended to help local decisionmakers effectively and efficiently protect public health and the environment, address compliance challenges, and improve asset-management planning.

The new resources include:

• The “First Stop Toolbox for Lagoons” identifies technical, financial, and regulatory support resources in a user-friendly web tool. This tool will help lagoon operators and technical assistance providers assess operations and compliance challenges in their lagoons, and in turn, help communities resolve these challenges on their own. 
• The “Small Lagoon Communities Economic Streamlining Tool” and the “Individual Lagoon Tool” help states, authorized Tribes, and communities determine whether a water quality standards (WQS) variance is an appropriate step to take when a small community is experiencing compliance challenges related to ammonia. Both tools are accompanied by an implementation document: “Applying the EPA’s Economic Analysis Tools to a WQS Variance for Ammonia for Small Lagoon Communities.” 

These tools were developed as priority actions under the EPA’s 2022-2026 Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Action Plan, and respond to needs identified by state co-regulators and lagoon communities. 

Learn more about lagoons in videos from EPA’s Bruno Pigott and Kathryn Kazior. 

For further information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

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.

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

ARPA Funds – Your obligation deadline is coming up!

A critical deadline for your local ARPA funds is coming up at the end of this calendar year.   

December 31, 2024, is the deadline for obligation of ARPA funds, and for most practical purposes, it is also the deadline for spending your local ARPA funds. 

Are you sure your community has obligated its ARPA funds? Answer the following questions to be sure!

• If your locality has expended all its ARPA funds on specific projects AND has adopted a Grant Project Ordinance that authorized those expenditures, that is great!

• If your locality has NOT expended all its ARPA funds, please be aware that for practical purposes, the funds must be expended by Dec 31, 2024

• If your locality has NOT adopted a Grant Project Ordinance designating the ARPA funds towards specific named projects, it is important that you proceed as soon as possible with that task. 
• Every locality must adopt a Grant Project Ordinance that authorizes the specific expenditures of its ARPA funds. 
• NOTE: “Revenue Replacement” alone is not a specific named project. Some communities have adopted ordinances that only name “Revenue Replacement” as the expenditure.  This is not sufficient to obligate the funds 
• If you are not sure, please check your adopted ARPA Grant Project Ordinance to be sure that it names specific project(s) on which specific amounts will be spent.  

Any amount from your local ARPA funds that is not expended (meaning employee salaries paid, invoices paid to contractors, purchases paid for, etc.) by DECEMBER 31, 2024, cannot be re-obligated for any other purpose. 

Therefore, the School of Government at UNC strongly recommends that your expenditures from your local ARPA funds be COMPLETED by December 31 of this year in order to avoid problems. 

The NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) has resources available for counties seeking technical assistance with the administration of their ARPA local award funds, including the Dec 31, 2024, obligation deadline.

See this link for a PowerPoint presentation on documenting ARPA administrative costs and achieving obligation readiness: “Happily Ever ACFR” https://www.ncacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ARPA-Obligation-Presentation-NCACC-2.8.241.pdf

See this link for a checklist to to help counties meet your ARPA requirements for full obligation by the deadline: “ Checklist_Navigating-the-ARPA-Obligations.pdf” https://www.ncacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Checklist_Navigating-the-ARPA-Obligations.pdf

EXCITING NEWS FOR OUR REGION!

Natron Energy, Inc. will build the first sodium-ion battery gigafactory in the U.S. at the Kingsboro Megasite. The manufacturer will invest nearly $1.4 billion in Edgecombe County, creating over 1,000 jobs.

Our team has been busy! Our relationships are key to so many great adventures! Recently we were so grateful to be part of an ReEntry Initiative in partnership with TNT-GAF and CADA! We had great Board Support for a project with employment and training opportunities for 4 young men who have shown such motivation and will head out for their next steps soon after roofing training! Congratulations ! A special thank you to Frince Williams, part of the Business Services Unit - Employer Engagement working diligently with the ReEntry Councils in our Region! A special shout out to Halifax/Northampton County for this initiative. Thank you to our Board members that represented! Thank you so much to Pastor Perry, Chair and for use of a great space. Chamber partners, Halifax Horizon and NC Works- the Turning Point WDB thanks you all! Stay tuned…

AGING

Low Income Energy Assistance Program Begins Accepting Applications Dec. 2 to Help With Heating Costs as Temperatures Begin to Drop

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications from older adults 60 and older or people with disabilities receiving services through the NCDHHS Division of Aging on Dec. 2, 2024.

The federally funded program helps low-income households with a one-time payment sent directly to their heating vendor to offset the high cost of warming their homes during the cold weather months.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program payments will be distributed automatically to heating vendors beginning in December 2024 if a member of the household meets the following three requirements:

• Is age 60 or older or a person with a disability receiving services through the NCDHHS Division of Aging,
• Currently receives Food and Nutrition Services and
• Received a LIEAP payment during the 2023-2024 season.

Households meeting the requirements for the automatic payment are being notified of their eligibility through November 2024 and do not need to re-apply for LIEAP. Any household with a person 60 or older or with a disability and is receiving services through the Division of Aging who did not receive notice of an automated payment, can apply online at epass.nc.gov. Applicants can also call their county department of social services to apply by phone, in person or print a paper application from epass.nc.gov to mail, fax or drop off at their county department of social services.

To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must

• Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility requirements,
• Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit, and
• Be responsible for their heating cost.

Beginning Jan. 2, 2025, all other eligible households who meet the eligibility requirements may begin applying. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 2, 2025, to March 31, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

Last year, the LIEAP program provided approximately $48 million to help more than 134,000 households pay their heating bills from December 2023 through March 2024. For more information on the program and eligibility, visit the NCDHHS website.

NIA Healthy Aging Highlights

Your risk of fall-related health issues rises as you age. If you fall and break a bone, it could lead to more serious problems, such as a hospital visit or disability. Taking care of your overall health can help lower the chance of falling. These tips can help you prevent falls and broken bones:

• Stay physically active. Regular exercise improves your muscles and makes you stronger.
• Choose the correct footwear. Wear nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes.
• Make sure your workout has a variety of exercises. Improve your strength and balance with yoga, tai chi, lifting weights, and resistance bands.
• Have your eyes and hearing tested. Even a small change in sight and hearing is linked to increased fall risks. Take time to get used to new eyewear or hearing aids.



Find more tips to prevent falls and broken bones. 

Dementia Friendly America Launches New Website

In 2025, USAging will celebrate 10 years of Dementia Friendly America! In anticipation of this milestone, we have launched a redesigned DFA website.  Take a look and explore DFA’s tools and resources.

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.

SOG Legislative Update Webinar, Dec. 17

The General Assembly has been busy in 2024, and many of the legislative changes directly affect North Carolina local governments. Do you need an update on the 2024 legislative changes affecting your town or county? Join the UNC School of Government as we host our Local Government Legislative Update Webinar on Tuesday, December 17, 9:00-2:00.

We will cover many legislative topics of interest to local governments, including:

• Public Health Legislation (Jill Moore & Kirsten Leloudis)
• Social Services Legislation (Kristi Nickodem)
• Legislation Concerning Pornography on Government Devices and Networks (Kristi Nickodem)
• Law Enforcement Legislation (Phil Dixon, Jr.)
• Federal Uniform Guidance Updates (Rebecca Badgett)
• Elections Board Legislation (Bob Joyce)
• Planning & Zoning Legislation (Jim Joyce & Adam Lovelady)

Registration is $150. You can find the details here:

 https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/webinars/2024-local-government-legislative-update-webinar

Essentials of Municipal Government

January 9-10, 2025 | New Bern

January 30-31, 2025 | Kannapolis 

Click here to view the course page and register     

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Essentials of County Government

January 16-17, 2025 | New Bern

January 23-24, 2025 | Winston Salem

February 19-20, 2025 | Asheville 

Click here to view the course page and register

You’re invited to attend the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy, on Feb. 19, 2025. UCPCOG will have a group in attendance and we hope to see you there. 

This event will be of interest to anyone working on local and regional infrastructure issues and on workforce development. Please pass along this opportunity to your colleagues and consider registering! There are also currently 25 scholarships available for residents of eastern North Carolina. 

The 2025 forum will examine three areas crucial to North Carolina’s energy future: energy affordability; workforce needs to fill the energy jobs that are coming to our communities; and the reliability and resiliency of our grid, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters that have impacted our state. Speakers will also address the impact of recent elections on energy policy and on the influences that artificial intelligence will have on our energy workforce and energy infrastructure.

I hope you will join us on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at the NC State University McKimmon Center in Raleigh, for this important event! You can learn more and register to attend at our website. Individual ticket prices are $275 now through the end of the year. They will rise to $325 on Jan. 1, 2025. Discounts are available for groups of six.