FEBRUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER
CURRENT EVENTS
  • No COG Board Meeting in February. Next meeting will be
March 28th.

  • RAAC/STHL Meeting February 13th at 2 PM at the COG Office

  • TAC/TCC Meeting February 21 at the COG Office, 3-5 PM
The Government Records Section of the State Archives is pleased to announce dates for the Spring 2019 workshop on managing public records. This workshop is free and designed for local government employees and elected officials.
March 6, 2019 (1pm-4pm)
Warrenton, Warren County Armory Civic Center
Hear from experts and innovators on all aspects of Opportunity Zones in Raleigh on February 21 st . This Summit is designed for economic developers, investors, and fund managers in North Carolina and across the U.S. The keynote will be delivered by Napoleon Wallace, Fmr. Deputy Secretary NC Department of Commerce for Rural Economic Development and Workforce Solutions. Region K is unique in that Opportunity Zones are located in all five of our Counties.

Registration is complimentary, but space is limited. The deadline to register is Friday, February 15, 2019 . If interested, please register at the following:  https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/register/222/page1.asp?m=199&c=587
EDA Regional Innovation Strategies Grant
The EDA is pleased to announce the 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies Grant Competition is now open for proposals. The deadline to apply is April 4, 2019 . The EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) leads the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program. Under the RIS Program, the centerpiece of the Regional Innovation Program authorized under Section 27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. § 3722) , EDA currently awards grants that build regional capacity to translate innovations into jobs: (1) through proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators and entrepreneurs and (2) through operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage risk capital to innovators and entrepreneurs.
"Downtown Strong"- New Initiative Will Help Communities Expand Economic Development Capacity
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is investing $260,000 in Downtown Strong, a program to build local government capacity by providing economic development planning and revitalization resources and guidance. The program is a result of feedback gleaned from Governor Cooper’s Hometown Strong initiative. Downtown Strong will operate out of the Department of Commerce’s Main Street and Rural Planning Center.

Downtown Strong is a result of feedback from rural leaders during Hometown Strong community meetings. Hometown Strong convenes leaders from every cabinet agency to meet with local leaders to forge new relationships, increase communication and help state government better serve rural North Carolinians.

The Main Street and Rural Planning Center, which will head up Downtown Strong, provides technical assistance services to communities that are revitalizing and preserving their traditional downtown commercial districts as mixed-use centers of activity. Downtown Strong will assist communities that are not yet part of the formal Main Street program or that have needs outside the traditional program.

Click HERE for more information.
The Division of Aging and Adult Services has created an in-depth profile of adults 65 and over , future projections, socio-economic, housing, health and other indicators of well-being.
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2019 Tentative TCC/TAC Meeting Dates
Meetings are held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Kerr-Tar COG Offices located at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson

·        January 2019 - No Meeting Scheduled
·         February 21, 2019
·        March 28, 2019
·        April 25, 2019
·        May 23, 2019
·        June 27, 2109
·        July - No Meeting Scheduled
·        August 29, 2019
·        September 26, 2019
·        October 24, 2109
·        November 2019 - No Meeting Scheduled
·        December 2019 - No Meeting Scheduled
*Please note, meeting dates are subject to change in order to accommodate NCDOT deadlines
Elected officials serving as members of the KTRPO TAC are required to submit Statements of Economic Interest (SEI) and Real-Estate Disclosure (RED) Forms annually to the North Carolina State Ethics Commission. The due date for 2019 will be April 15. Please schedule an appointment with KTRPO staff to complete these necessary forms. 
Visit NC Farms Mobile App

The Council of Governments, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and local
Co-Operative Extension Offices are still accepting applications for the Visit NC Farms Mobile App. If you are a local farmer, local food producer, a restaurant using local foods, or sale local goods at a Farmers Market, please contact your local Agricultural Extension Office for details about being included in the mobile app. 
Advanced Energy is hoping to help North Carolina drivers raise awareness and support of electric vehicles through the introduction of a new specialty license plate. In order for the license plate to be considered by the DMV and General Assembly, we need 500 paid in advance applications by February 8, 2019 .
If interested, please note the following

  • The standard specialty plate fee is $10. If you would like a personalized message, please add $30 for a total fee of $40.
  • Advanced Energy has volunteered to collect the applications and fees and submit them
  • to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Please make a check payable to Advanced Energy for the total fee amount.
  • Mail check and completed application to:
Advanced Energy Attn: Plug-in NC
909 Capability Drive, Suite 2100
Raleigh, NC 27606

If 500 applications are received by February 8, Advanced Energy will submit the special plate request to the NCDMV. The DMV will submit the application to the NC General Assembly by for review. If the design is not approved all fees will be returned to you.

If you have any questions, please contact Jacob Bolin, Project Manager at Advanced Energy, at [email protected] or 919-857-9048.
Join Dennis Alvord, MPA, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs of the U.S. Economic Development Administration and a host of others at the 2 nd Emerging Issues Forum, ReCONNECT Rural and Urban on February 11, 2019  at the Raleigh Marriott City Center. This Institute of Emerging Issues forum will examine the interconnectedness of rural, suburban, and urban economies, and strategies to more effectively promote and leverage these connections for increased success. Register at the following link: https://iei.ncsu.edu/reconnectnc/rcru/

Scholarships are available to increase geographic, demographic and economic representation at the Institute’s Rural and Urban Forum. Some scholarships are reserved exclusively for residents living in Eastern North Carolina (i.e. counties along and to the east of I-95), especially those living in the region’s most economically distressed counties. 
For more information about scholarships, please visit https://iei.ncsu.edu/reconnectnc/ru-scholarships/ or contact IEI staff at 919-515-7741 for more details.
Open Call for Projects through Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) Project
The North Carolina Clean Technology Center (NCCETC) will have an open call for the second round of funding to apply for Clean Fuel Advanced Technology projects starting January 14, 2019. Request for Proposal (RFP) applications are due March 29, 2019 . All eligible counties are encouraged to apply. For further inquiries, please visit https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/2018/11/29/open-call-for-projects-through-clean-fuel-advanced-technology-cfat-project/
Smart Cities Triangle Spotlight
Reporting Potholes
With the recent cold weather and winter advisories, the Department of Transportation crews are staying busy due to increased potholes on roadways. Potholes are common during the winter season when water seeps into cracks in the road and ice forms. Those cracks widen, causing the asphalt to rise and traffic loosens the pavement, eventually creating a pothole.

Safety is the Department’s number one priority. With 80,000 miles of state roads, drivers, law enforcement and others can assist in identifying locations where potholes need to be repaired.

To speed up the response process, motorists may visit: https://www.ncdot.gov/contact/Pages/form.aspxUnitName=pothole&sourceUrl=/
contact/ and let the Department know where the potholes are located. The report will be forwarded to the County maintenance office to handle the request. 
Although The Safe Routes to Schools program will be ending on May 31, 2019, a new competitive grant program will be available to fund similar initiatives. Municipalities, counties, health departments, RPOs, COGs, school districts, foundations, YMCAs, and other allied partners are eligible to apply for $50,000-$100,000 to be awarded each year for a three year period. The application and award timeline is as follows:

February 15, 2019: Open Call for Applicants
February 25 – March 1, 2019: Webinar for Potential Applicants
March 29, 2019: Application Period Closes
June 5, 2019: Awarded Communities are presented to the NC Board of Transportation

If your community is interested, please contact Stephanie Harmon or Nicole Westley (Region 7 Active Routes to School Coordinator) at 919) 989-5202 or [email protected] with any questions. 
NCDOT Seeking New Partners for 2019 Watch for Me NC Program
Effort aims to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities

RALEIGH – North Carolina communities interested in participating in the 2019 Watch for Me NC safety program may now submit applications to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The nationally-recognized program focuses on bicycle and pedestrian safety, education and enforcement. The 2019 campaign is supported by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program in partnership with the NCDOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. 

"Watch for Me NC delivers hands-on training to law enforcement while also educating the public as both must be engaged and informed in the process to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety,” said Ed Johnson, Watch for Me NC program manager. “Our goal is to reduce severe crashes and injuries in our communities through law enforcement training, public education, materials and technical support.” Communities selected to participate will receive free law enforcement training, technical assistance and safety tools provided by NCDOT and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center.

Some materials include bicycle lights, reflective arm bands, bumper stickers, brochures, posters and banners with pedestrian and bicycle safety messages. Communities may also be eligible to receive advertising such as radio, transit ads, and sidewalk stencils. Local government applicants should be able to demonstrate support from local law enforcement agencies, and if applicable campus police, plus the capacity to participate fully in the program. 

Interested communities are encouraged to register for NCDOT’s webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., where more information about the program requirements and application process will be provided. Applications are due March 1, 2019 and can be downloaded on the Watch for Me NC website .
AGING
SENIOR GAMES
Let the games begin! Registration is now open for the Region K 2019 Senior Games. Senior Games is a holistic approach to body, mind and spirit staying fit, while enjoying the company of friends, family, spectators, and volunteers. Volunteers from all areas of the community are welcome. Athletic and SilverArts are open to individual’s age 50 and better. Sports events include basketball shooting, billiards, bocce, cornhole, golf, horseshoes, shuffleboard, softball throw, table tennis, cycling, track and fields events, pickleball, badminton, bowling, tennis and many more. The SilverArts category will include events in Heritage Arts such as knitting and quilting, Visual Arts such as drawing and photography, Literary Arts such as essay and poems and Performing Arts such as dance and vocals. The full list of events, schedule and event locations can be found in the registration packets, which can be picked up and turned in to the local county senior centers. Online registration is available at torch.ncseniorgames.org . Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Senior Games program as a staff member, sponsor or volunteer, please contact: Laura Yeatts [email protected] or call (252) 436-2040. For more information visit www.ncseniorgames.org . Registration deadline is February 22, 2019. 
Virtual Dementia Tour
On Friday, February 22, the Kerr-Tar AAA will be conducting the Virtual Dementia Tour from 10:00 A.M-2:00 P.M at Kerr-Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation, located at 1245 Park Ave, Henderson, NC 27536. The Virtual Dementia Tour is a sensitivity training that allows individuals to see what it might be like to live with dementia. Caregivers, community organizations, business leaders and others are encouraged to attend. Space is LIMITED. If you are interested in taking the tour, please contact Sharon Pernell at (252) 492-7021 or [email protected] to sign-up.
*NEW* Online Family Caregiver Support Group
The Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging has created an Online Family Caregiver Support Group through its Facebook Page. The purpose of this group is to discuss information, events, questions and ideas that correlate with aging care amongst other caregivers. Caregiving is honorable act that is given by a family member, partner, friend or neighbor who advocates for and provides unpaid and on-going assistance to someone who is ill, disabled, or frail.

The main purpose of establishing this group is to target caregivers who are heavily confound to caregiving responsibilities and are limited with outings away from home. For many caregivers, it is difficult to regularly attend groups, services or enjoy time with the ones whom they love due to caregiver obligations. For many caregivers, it is quite challenging to find resources, supports and other levels of help. Each have different situations and complications. If interested in joining, log on to Facebook and follow Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging. On the page, locate the group and request to join. For questions, comments or concerns, please contact Harvey Holmes at (252) 436-2040. 
Caregiver Support Groups

Caregiver support groups are offered monthly in the following counties: Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren. If you are a caregiver, or know someone who is, we highly recommend attending! Our caregiver support groups offer information, assistance, guidance, and support for all caregivers! The following times for support groups are listed below. For more information regarding caregiver support groups, please contact Harvey Holmes, Family Caregiver Specialist at [email protected] or call (252) 436-2040.

Franklin County Caregiver Support Group
Louisburg Senior Center
2nd Monday @ 7:00 P.M
(919) 496-1131

Granville County Caregiver Support Group
Granville Primary Care Education Classroom
1st Wednesday @ 12:00 P.M
(919) 690-3273

Person County Caregiver Support Group
Person County Senior Center
4th Tuesday @ 6:00 P.M
(336) 599-7484

Person County Caregiver Support Group
Cambridge Hills
2nd Tuesday @ 6:30 P.M
(336) 599-7484

Vance County Caregiver Support Group
Vance County Senior Center
3rd Tuesday @ 12:00 P.M.
(252) 430-0257

Warren County Caregiver Support Group
Warren County Senior Center
2nd Tuesday @ 3:30 P.M
(252) 257-3111

WORKFORCE
Are you having a hard time landing a job and feel defeated or frustrated? NCWorks Career Centers have staff that can help assist you. If you need a little inspiration, read this success story and how an individual who was living in a shelter and trying to go to school has now gained employment. Click here for the entire story.
Looking for a job - look at www.NCWORKS.gov  
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



Executive Director
Diane Cox

Planning & Development
Michael Kelly

Workforce Development
Vincent Gilreath

Aging
Vacant
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.