- Next COG Board meeting with be Thursday, March 26th.
- KTRPO will hold its next meeting on Thursday,
- March 26, 2020 @3:00PM.
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March 26th Meeting of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Board to Feature my FutureNC
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The March 26th meeting of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors will feature Cecilia Holden, President and CEO of my FutureNC. myFutureNC is a statewide nonprofit organization focused on educational attainment and is the result of cross-sector collaboration between North Carolina leaders in education, business, and government. On Feb. 20, 2019, myFutureNC unveiled its goal and bold vision for the future of education in our state: We will work to ensure that by 2030, 2 million North Carolinians have a high quality credentials or post-secondary degrees.
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Regional Economic Development Summit
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On Thursday, February 20
th
the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments hosted its inaugural Regional Economic Development Summit, Focus 20/20. Attendees had an opportunity to hear from experts on the topics of the economy; economic investment; entrepreneurship, and workforce development. A special thank you is extended to our sponsors, moderators, panelists, and of course those in attendance.
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NC Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland, COG Executive Director Diane Cox, and COG Business Services Manager Lou Grillo attending the COG’s inaugural Economic Development Summit.
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Michele Burgess, President of Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce with Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.
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Residents Can Get Help with Taxes
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Individuals who need help with their tax returns can do so at Perry Memorial Library. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is offering free tax preparation services three days a week at Perry Memorial Library through April 13, 2020.
Volunteers with VITA, will assist taxpayers in preparing their returns from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
For more information, please contact VITA at (252) 432-6642. The Perry Memorial Library is at 205 Breckenridge St. in Downtown Henderson. VITA is also assisting individuals prepare their tax returns at Warren Family Institute, Building 6, located at 427 S. Franklin St. in Warrenton.
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Vance-Granville, N.C. Central University Sign Deal on Biotech Student Transfers
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North Carolina Central University Chancellor Johnson Akinleye (left) and Vance-Granville Community College President Rachel Desmarais (right) add their signatures to an agreement between the two schools that will mean easier transfers for some VGCC graduates into Central University's pharmaceutical sciences program
Photo Courtesy: NCU and The Daily Dispatch
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Officials at North Carolina Central University are hoping a new agreement with Vance-Granville Community College helps in recruiting more students for the University’s biotechnology programs. NCCU Chancellor Johnson Akinleye and Vance-Granville President Rachel Desmarais have signed an agreement that will help assist graduates of VGCC’s bioprocess technology degree program be accepted into Central’s pharmaceutical sciences program.
The previous Vance-Granville coursework will count towards a Bachelor’s of Science degree at N.C. Central. Students will even have an opportunity to begin taking NCCU courses while enrolled at the community college.
In working with Vance-Granville, NCCU has “increased the pipeline of top students entering the University who will complete their Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences,” Chancellor Akinleye said. “We hope that many stay on, as well, to earn a Master’s or a Doctorate in Integrated Biosciences” Chancellor Akinleye went on the say.
The Chancellor singled out the University’s BRITE program — Biomanufacturing Research Institute Technology Enterprise — as an academic program that could particularly benefit from the increased ties between the two schools. The BRITE Center trains students to work in biotech manufacturing and research companies, joining a sector that pays salaries that generally run about twice the state average. Desmarais said, VGCC’s leadership is “delighted” to deepen the college’s relationship with NCCU, and called it “a valuable partner in creating pathways to success for our students.”
The two schools already have joint-degree programs in criminal justice, early childhood education, and family and consumer services. Chancellor Akinleye has made the expansion of joint-degree programs with community colleges a centerpiece of his strategy for expanding NCCU’s enrollment, and the UNC system in general has encouraged closer ties between its universities and the N.C. Community Colleges’ 58 campuses.
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VGCC reports increase in enrollment
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Vance-Granville Community College has noticed an upswing in enrollment in the 2019-2020 academic year. Going into the Spring 2020 semester, VGCC had 2,939 students enrolled in its regular-curriculum programs, 220 more than at the start of the spring semester a year ago for about an 8.1% increase.
Vance-Granville leaders are “excited about the increasing number of students who have chosen VGCC to pursue their higher education and prepare for a successful career,” said Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement and success.
Enrollment in the state’s community colleges tends to run counter to economic trends, rising during recessions, when jobs are hard to come by, and falling during boom times. VGCC has four campuses, one each in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. School officials say they’ve tried to encourage enrollment through an assortment of programs, including a new “Vanguard Flex” program that offers flexible, hybrid schedules in the evenings and weekends on the Franklin Campus in Louisburg, to accommodate adult learners.
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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 2020 - No Meeting Scheduled
- 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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Chapter 160D: A New Land Use Law for North Carolina
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In 2019, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the long-debated complete reorganization of the state’s planning and development regulation statutes. Originally introduced as Senate Bill 422 and House Bill 448, the legislation was adopted as Part II of S.L. 2019-11 (Senate Bill 355). To conform to this new statutory framework, every city and county development regulation in the state will need to be updated by January 1, 2021.
Meant to improve planning and land use statutes, Chapter 160D is the first major recodification and modernization of city and county development regulations since 1905. This new legislation will impact most communities in the Isothermal region. Most jurisdictions will have to update existing zoning and development ordinances and many municipalities and counties may need to adopt or update a comprehensive plan to keep their development ordinances.
Elected officials, manager, planners, and local government staff need to be aware of two important deadlines:
- January 21, 2021 – Deadline to amend existing zoning and development ordinances to bring them into compliance with the new state standards
- July 1, 2022 – Deadline to update or adopt a comprehensive plan
We recommend that you start planning now for how you will comply with Chapter 160D. To learn more about this, click on the
Chapter 160D File
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Announcing AARP Community Challenge Grants
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Governmental entities are encouraged to apply for AARP’s Community Challenge Grants. AARP will prioritize projects that aim to achieve the following outcomes:
- Increasing civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of community inclusion and diversity.
- Creating vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
- Delivering a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements.
- Supporting the availability of a range of housing that increases accessible and affordable housing options.
Demonstrating the tangible value of “Smart Cities” with programs that engage residents in accessing, understanding and using data, and participating in decision-making to increase the quality of life for all.
In addition to the five areas of focus, AARP wants to hear about local needs and new, innovative ideas for addressing them.
AARP Community Challenge grants can be used to support the following types of projects: permanent physical improvements in the community; temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change; or new, innovative programming or services.
If your community is interested in applying, please contact a member of the KTRPO.
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Applications Open for State Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grants
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The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications from communities for the 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The program provides funding for municipalities across the state to develop comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans. All North Carolina municipalities are eligible to apply for a standard bike or pedestrian plan.
The deadline for applications to be submitted electronically is
May 19, 2020
at
5:00 p.m.
Award recipients will be notified by September 2020. This program is sponsored by the department’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation and the Transportation Planning Branch. Proposals are divided and judged in geographical groups to help establish equitable distribution of funding across the state. Recipients commonly include a diverse mix of municipalities from large cities to small towns.
Plans funded address facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that encourage safe walking and bicycling. Please contact a member of the KTRPO if interested in applying.
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Regional Aging Needs Survey responses have poured in!
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We received hundreds of responses to our Regional Aging Needs Survey, which will guide our priorities and help us plan for the future. Early reviews show that we have input from all ages and perspectives. With the growing older population, new ideas and innovations are coming from many sources! Our new aging plan will address the needs of aging adults, caregivers, and persons living with disabilities in your county.
We will be developing our new aging plan in late March and early April. If you would like to help, we would love to have you join our next meeting. Please call our office at 252 436-2040 for more information.
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NEW Family Caregiver Social Group
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Caregiver Directed Voucher Program
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Local NCWorks Career Centers certified by NCWorks Commission
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The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, recently recognized the certification of the NCWorks Career Centers in the area served by the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board. That includes Franklin, Granville, Person, Warren and Vance counties. Leaders from the Kerr-Tar area received the certification in person during the Commission’s Feb. 12 meeting in Winston-Salem.
The NCWorks Commission establishes customer service standards for all NCWorks Career Centers to ensure high quality and consistent service delivery across the state. These one-stop centers assist job seekers with improving their skills and finding employment, and help businesses develop a qualified workforce. Certification indicates that the centers in the Kerr-Tar area deliver services in an integrated, coordinated way, have well-trained professional staff and are accessible to all customers.
The NCWorks Commission also recommends policies and strategies that enable the state’s workforce and businesses to compete in the global economy. Led by a private sector chair, the 33-member NCWorks Commission includes representatives from the business community, heads of state workforce agencies, educators and community leaders.
To find information on NCWorks Career Centers, and to access online services, visit
www.ncworks.gov
.
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Workforce leaders celebrate the certification of the NCWorks Career Centers in the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board area. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Englert, Assistant Secretary of the N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS), Michelle Muir, Regional Operations Director for the N.C. Department of Commerce/DWS; Jamie Cunningham, Operations Manager, EDSI; Derrick Sims, Chairman, Kerr-Tar WDB; Monica Satterwhite, manager of the NCWorks Career Centers in Oxford and Henderson; Vincent Gilreath, Kerr-Tar WDB Director; and NCWorks Commission Chair Tom Rabon.
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VGCC Annual Career & College Transfer Fair
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On March 25th 2020, NCWorks Kerr Tar will be partnering with Vance Granville Community College to put on their annual Career and College Transfer Fair. This will be a great opportunity for current students and community members alike to network and apply with regional employers, as well as learn more about educational opportunities through several NC Colleges and Universities. Prior to this event NCWorks will facilitate two preparation workshops on March 23rd and March 24th. These workshops will showcase services available at NCWorks, as well as provide assistance to participants with preparing a resume for the job fair. Interview prep sessions will also be provided at both sessions. Seats are limited for the preparation workshops, to register please call the Oxford or Henderson NCWorks Career Center.
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Elizabeth Kafu is currently attending Vance-Granville Community College and has an expected graduation date of May, 2020. Elizabeth will graduate with an associate degree in Histotechnology. Elizabeth lives in Wake county, and travels back and forth to school. She was faced with unexpected car repairs during the fall semester and rented a car to travel to school. Due to her car repairs, she was unable to pay her tuition for the 2020 spring semester. She applied for the Finish Line Grant to assist with tuition payment.
Elizabeth is very thankful for receiving the Finish Line Grant because she was unsure if she would be able to complete the semester and obtain her degree.
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Wiley Epps received his one year service award.
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Phyllis Green received her 10 year service award.
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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
Workforce Development
Vincent Gilreath
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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