- Next TAC/TCC Meeting is Thursday, July 30, 2020 @ 3PM
- Next COG Board Meeting Thursday, August 27, 2020
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Executive Order No. 147
Extension of Phase 2 Order and New Measures to Save Lives in the
COVID-19 Pandemic
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Executive Order No. 147 does the following:
1. Extends Phase II (EO141) for three weeks (now expiring at 5:00pm
on July 17, 2020).
2. Requires the wearing of face coverings.
Please see Section II of the
attached EO147
for face covering requirements,
exception, and enforcement provisions.
mandatory face coverings.
EO147 becomes effective at 5:00pm on June 26th.
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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and EIDL Advance Programs Reopened
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance Program Portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 on June 15, 2020. Through this program, SBA offers long-term, low-interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. Loans can provide vital economic support to help alleviate the temporary loss of revenue and can be used to cover payroll, inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses.
Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, and these emergency grants do not have to be repaid. To learn more, click
here
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The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments continues to urge our region’s residents to complete the 2020 Census.
Residents can complete their 2020 Census safely in your home either: online
https://my2020census.gov/
, by phone: (844-330-2020 - English) or (844-468-2020 - Spanish), or by paper form.
According to the Census Bureau, Kerr-Tar’s counties and the State of North Carolina have the following reported self-response rates as of June 25, 2020:
Franklin County - 56.2% Vance County – 51.8%
Granville County - 61.9% Warren County – 43.4%
Person County - 61.7% North Carolina – 58.0%
Ten minutes will shape your future for the next 10 years!
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Institute for Emerging Issues Announces BAND-NC
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The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State (IEI) in partnership with the Broadband Infrastructure Office at the NC Department of Information Technology, and with principal support from the John M. Belk Endowment¹, is addressing the digital divide across NC through a new program called “Building a New Digital Economy” (BAND-NC).
BAND-NC will provide rapid-response community innovation mini-grants to communities across the state.
This fall, grantees will be invited to join technical assistance workshops to build county-wide digital inclusion plans. The second round of funding to support the implementation of these plans will be available in Spring 2021.
These $5,000 mini-grants are available to fund local digital inclusion projects to meet unmet community needs. This includes access to the Internet, a device that meets their needs, and the know-how to use it. IEI plans to distribute grants to 30 counties this summer. They will only fund one project per county.
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LEVERAGE NC to Provide Cities and Towns with Economic Development Training and Resources
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N.C. League of Municipalities (NCLM), in partnership with N.C. Department of Commerce and its Main Street and Rural Planning Center, N.C. Downtown Development Association, and N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Historic Preservation Office is proud to announce Leverage NC, a resource designed to further local government economic development efforts. Through a carefully curated catalog of educational offerings and expert resources, Leverage NC will provide cities and towns statewide the tools needed to strengthen local economies and support enhanced business opportunities back at home.
Over the next year, Leverage NC will roll out a set of educational resources designed to address the most immediate issues facing communities and local economies. Topics will include post-COVID-19 development, funding and partnerships, organizational development, project development after a disaster, and strategy development for a new normal.
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Did you know only half of the state’s high school seniors have completed the FAFSA form to date this year? That’s a decline of three percent, and it’s cause for concern for North Carolina leaders. The FAFSA Frenzy campaign is designed to generate the momentum needed to reverse that trend. The campaign’s goal is to motivate more students to complete their FAFSA and to recognize that a life-changing postsecondary credential is within reach.
Please join us in promoting the value of FAFSA completion to students across the region! An increase in FAFSA completions results in an increase in college attendance and a trained workforce!
The FAFSA Frenzy campaign includes a newly launched website (
FAFSAFrenzyNC.com
), which explains the ins and outs of filing the FAFSA and directs users to free, hands-on financial aid counselling. The campaign will also feature an intensive social media component. A variety of high school, higher education, and community partners will use social media channels to issue messages of encouragement and helpful reminders to students and their families.
While only about half of North Carolinians ages 25-44 have a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree, students from low income households are even less likely to get the education they need to earn a living wage. The percentage of Black, Hispanic, and Native American residents with a postsecondary degree consistently falls below the state average. Meanwhile, North Carolina students who did not submit a FAFSA in 2019 left an estimated $89 million in Pell Grants funds unused. EdNC has created a map that shows the status of each county’s FAFSA completion rate
here
.
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Announcing Count On Me NC Campaign
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As North Carolina’s restaurants, hotels, attractions and shops reopen,
Count On Me NC
is a public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19.
For Customers
For Businesses
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PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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2020 Tentative TCC/TAC Meeting Dates
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All meetings are open to the public and held from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ located at 1724 Graham Ave. in Henderson.
- January 30, 2020
- February 27, 2020
- March 26, 2020
- April 23, 2020
- May 28, 2020
- June 25, 2020
- July 30, 2020
- August 27, 2020
- September - No Meeting Scheduled
- October 22, 2020
- November 2020 - No Meeting Scheduled
- December 2020 - No Meeting Scheduled
*Meeting dates are subject to change in order to accommodate NCDOT deadlines. If a meeting date changes, members of the TAC and TCC will be notified
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An Important Message from Secretary Boyette
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NCDOT Secretary, Eric Boyette announced last month that beginning in July, the department will no longer continue to furlough employees.
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Transportation Legislative Update
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House Bill 77
entitled: AN ACT TO ADJUST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CERTIFIED BUDGET FOR THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR AND TO IMPLEMENT GOVERNANCE MEASURES AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, passed both houses of the General Assembly in June and is awaiting Governor Cooper’s signature. The KTRPO will notify members of the TAC and TCC once the bill becomes law.
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Northeast Area Study Update
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The NEAS Update is an update to the original 2014 Northeast Area Study that looked at land use and transportation needs in the study area, which covers parts of Wake and Franklin Counties, as well as all, or parts of the municipalities of Bunn, Franklinton, Knightdale, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, Youngsville, and Zebulon. All municipalities, along with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, are partners in the study. This update will produce recommendations across all transportation modes, as well as refresh policies and priorities that may have evolved since the original study.
If you would like more information about the NEAS Update, please visit the project website at
www.neasupdate.com
where there is a short introductory video on the home page. Within the video, you will find good information on the study background and objectives, as well as key deliverables and public engagement events. The website also includes a community Survey and Interactive Map
,
where you can identify issues, concerns, and points of interest in the study area that will be looked into in more detail as the study progresses.
Feel free to share the links to the survey and map with anyone you think would be interested.
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1
0
-question survey
on how trails can serve transportation purposes, providing connections between where people live, work and play. Participants are encouraged to take both surveys beginning now through September 30, 2020.
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Sustainable Fleet Technology Virtual Conference 2020
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The 2020 Sustainable Fleet Technology Virtual Conference will now be a series of 12 webinar sessions on a variety of topics highlighting the leading edge of sustainable fleet practices and alternative fuel opportunities.
Each session – covering current technologies, topics and issues in the fleet industry – will feature several expert speakers from all around the country. Sessions will discuss the latest and greatest opportunities for biofuel, electric, natural gas, and propane fuels and fueling – with a strong focus on data-driven decisions, tools, and technologies.
All virtual sessions are offered free of charge.
More information on the conference and webinar topics is available at the following
link
.
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Kerr-Tar Regional COG Aging Updates
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Kerr-Tar Regional COG Ombudsman, Kim Hawkins, continues to serve LTC and Care homes during the pandemic: information, goodie bags and supportive items continue to be distributed to all facilities. Elder Abuse Awareness day in June was observed with billboards throughout the region and informative materials provided to many locations.
Family Caregiver services continue with supportive virtual groups and regular media posts. We’re experimenting with innovative robotic pets to provide some comfort and engagement for homebound older adults living with dementia.
Senior Games have been cancelled for this year, and the state organizers are planning a virtual celebration in the next few months to recognize the many talented and motivated participants.
All Senior Centers are providing meals to participants through home delivery and drive-by pick up. Lunch bags are often augmented with goodie bags, fresh produce, or other items, and all the Centers make frequent phone calls are to reinforce the continuing connection between our participants and their Senior Center.
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NCWorks Career Centers Re-Open Date
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The NCWorks Career Center staff has been diligently serving the Kerr-Tar community virtually for the last several months. Monday July 20th the NCWorks Career Centers will begin offering in-person services to customers by appointment. Virtual services will continue to be offered during this time as well. To inquire about available services and how to get services virtually or by appointment please contact the centers directly.
NCWorks Career Centers
Oxford (919) 693-2686
Henderson (252) 438-6129
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Elyssa Koutsis has more than a great smile and a wonderful attitude. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from PCC on May 21st with a Diploma in Business Administration, she has a bright future ahead.
Elyssa came to the NCWorks NextGen program immediately after high school, and over time became one of the most involved participants. During her time in the program, she successfully completed several work experiences in preparation for a career in a professional business environment. With a great education and a matching set of soft skills, you will never see her without a smile and sharing a kind word or word of encouragement to someone. Elyssa is a great example of how a person with determination who is supported by the great programs of NCWorks and a superb partner like PCC can have all the success they desire. This PCC Honors graduate is also aware that success is often a team effort and she credits the support of her grandparents for helping her overcome physical and situational challenges to rise to the top of the class.
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Are you having a hard time landing a job and feel defeated or frustrated? NCWorks Career Centers have staff and programs that can assist you. To find your local NCWorks Career Center and see the upcoming events click
here.
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Communities Served:
Franklin County
Granville County
Person County
Vance County
Warren County
Town of Bunn
Town of Butner
City of Creedmoor
Town of Franklinton
City of Henderson
Town of Kittrell
Town of Louisburg
Town of Macon
Town of Middleburg
Town of Norlina
City of Oxford
City of Roxboro
Town of Stem
Town of Stovall
Town of Warrenton
Town of Youngsville
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Executive Director
Diane Cox
Planning & Development
Michael Kelly
Interim Workforce Development
Lou Grillo
Area Agency on Aging
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MISSION STATEMENT
Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments aims to
promote regionalism that provides opportunities for
local governments to enhance and improve the quality
of life for our citizens through effective delivery of
services and programs.
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