COG NEWS

APRIL 2019 NEWSLETTER

CURRENT EVENTS

No COG Board Meeting in April. Next meeting will be Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00PM at the COG Office.

Revolving Loan Committee Meeting will be April 18th at 9:00AM at the COG Office.

Regional Aging Advisory Committee Meeting will be May 8th at 2PM at the COG Office.

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center is pleased to announce the 2 ^nd Annual “ Keep Our Air Clean” Student Art Contest beginning in March. Students in grades kindergarten through college are encouraged to submit artwork centered around actions people can take to reduce air pollution from vehicles. The winners will have their artwork prominently displayed on billboards across the state.

For further information on the competition, please visit:

https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/2019/02/25/keep-our-air-clean-student-art-contest-launches-this-march/

The Clean Energy Technology Center is accepting names of individuals interested in serving as judges. If interested, please contact Alrik Lunsford at 252-436-2040 or [email protected]

The Town of Warrenton has developed a survey to encourage public input for the new bicycle and pedestrian plan . Questions are designed to generate feedback on existing bicycling and walking behavior, as well as identify possible barriers that may prevent or discourage more bicycling or walking.

All survey responses will be treated anonymously . At the end of the survey, participants will be asked to provide an email address or telephone number to be entered for a chance to win a gift card . The survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WalkBikeWarrenton

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NC Legacy Tree Fund Grant

The NC Urban Forest Council is now accepting applications for projects relating to street tree planting, natural area planting, neighborhood planting, school projects, arbor day events, stormwater projects, or storm recovery. Submissions due by May 31, 2019. Learn more

NC Hearts Gigabit Interactive

Join NC Broadband Matters for the second annual showcase of solutions demonstrating why access to modern broadband matters to rural and urban vitality, workforce development, and leadership in technology innovation as a state. Register

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~~ CANCELLED

· 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.

The KTRPO joint Technical Coordination Committee (TCC) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Thursday, March 28 ^th at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ offices in Henderson. The Committees heard a presentation from the North Carolina Department of Transportation on NCMOVES2050 Plan. NCMoves 2050 will serve as a blueprint in helping guide and shape the state’s future transportation policies and investments over the next 30 years.

In March, Franklin County Commissioner Sidney Dunston, a member of the KTRPO TAC and Granville County EDC Director Mr. Harry Mills, a member of the KTRPO TCC were nominated to serve as Community Leaders representing the KTRPO on the NCMoves 2050 Plan.

The NCDOT is conducting a 5 to 10-minute citizen survey about how transportation is changing, and how North Carolina could address the challenges and opportunities resulting from these changes. The results of the survey will be used to identify transportation priorities and needs for the state. Citizens are encouraged to provide public comment and may do so via the following: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/nc-2050-plan/Pages/default.aspx

Public Comment Opportunity for NCDOT

Division 5 Projects

Area residents will get a chance to learn more about the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s draft 10-Year transportation plan for 2020-2029 at a week-long open house in Durham next week. The department unveiled its proposed funding and construction plan in January with more than 1,600 transportation projects across the state.

The list includes 18 new projects for Division 5, which covers Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and the public. A list of the projects in the draft plan and additional information is available on the NCDOT website .

The transportation plan is updated every two years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are considered committed, while projects in the final five years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the development process for the 2022-2031 plan. That will start later this year.

Each of the department’s 14 highway divisions are hosting a week-long public comment opportunity on the projects in the current draft plan. In Division 5, it will be from Feb. 18-22, 2019 at the Division office at 2612 North Duke Street, Durham, during normal business hours.

The sessions will serve as opportunities for interested residents to review maps and handouts about the projects, ask questions of local NCDOT staff, and submit comments.

For interested residents who can’t attend the public comment sessions , there is an opportunity to submit comments online through April 15. The draft plan will be considered for final approval by the Board of Transportation this summer.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to provide input. Anyone requiring special services should contact David Keilson at 919-220-4600, or [email protected] , as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

The 3 ^rd Annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference will be held August 7-8, 2019 at the Durham Convention Center. Discover the latest and greatest in sustainable fleet technology, operations, and implementation.

The Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference will showcase the latest and greatest technologies in the biofuels, electric, natural gas, and propane arenas. The conference will also have a strong focus on data driven decisions and technologies. With 50+ speakers and 40+ exhibitors, this event will highlight the leading edge of sustainable fleet practices and alternative fuel opportunities.

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.

2019 Ag Awareness Day

On March 20 ^th , the COG participated in Ag Awareness Day in Raleigh. Attendees visited with their elected officials at the General Assembly and attended an Agriculture Awareness Rally at Bicentenial Plaza, where Commissioner of Argiculure Steve Troxler and members of the North Carolina General Assembly spoke on the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy. Attendees had an opporunity to thank legislators for the much needed funding farmers received after Hurricanes Florence and Michael.

NCDOT Announces Spring 2019 Litter Sweep

Each April and September, the North Carolina Department of Transportation calls on volunteers from across the state to assist in removing litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, non-profits, churches and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean. Volunteers are provided with clean-up supplies such as reversible orange and blue trash bags, gloves and safety vests from local NCDOT County Maintenance Yard offices. Last year, volunteers, Adopt-A-Highway groups and NCDOT employees removed more than 500,000 pounds of litter during the spring litter sweep. If a member of a local community group or a local government entity within the region interested in participating, please visit: http://www.ncdot.gov/littersweep

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) and NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) hosted public Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Information & Input Sessions at four locations across the state during the month of March. These meetings coincide with Governor Cooper’s signing of Executive Order 80 , instructing state agencies to make plans to promote clean energy. As part of this effort, the NCDOT is creating a statewide plan to promote the use of clean transportation technologies and is inviting the public to participate in the NC ZEV Plan Survey, available via the following link: https://nczevplan.metroquest.com/

Stephanie Harmon, Regional Planner & RPO Coordinator applied for funding through the Active Routes to School program; a component of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School. If awarded, this grant will fund non-infrastructure projects such as: encouraging students to be more active on their way to school and while they are at school. The KTRPO thanks our region’s Superintendents for their letters of support in applying for this funding.

AGING

New AAA Director

Welcome Nancy Francis, our new AAA Director. Nancy comes to us with a background in Gerontology, Law and Aging services. She is looking forward to meeting our local providers and working with everyone to support the well-being of the region’s older adults.

SENIOR GAMES

Let the games begin! Volunteers from all areas of the community are welcome. 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 .

April Events Include:

4/5/19 – 9:00 A.M - Cycling, Track, Shotput, Discuss, and Softball and Football Throw @ Warren County High School Athletic Field, Warren County
4/9/19 – 9:00 A.M - Horseshoes and Tennis @ D.N Hix Complex, Granville County
4/12/19 – 9:00 A.M – Pickleball @ John Graham Gymnasium
4/15/19 – 10:00 A.M – Bowling * Singles @ Buffaloe Lanes, Raleigh
4/18/19 – 9:00 A.M – Cornhole @ Aycock Recreation Complex, Vance County
4/22/19 – 10:00 A.M – Bowling *Doubles and Mix Doubles @ Buffaloe Lanes, Raleigh
4/26/19 – 9:00 A.M – Boccee @ Huck Sansbury Park , Person County
5/3/19 – 10:00 A.M - SilverArts and Awards Show @ VGCC Civic Center, Vance County

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 Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Room

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

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.

Success Stories

March was a busy month for Kerr-Tar. Five participants were sent to CNA training at VGCC. Three of the five from our January cohort at K’s Health Care Institute completed the course and passed the skills test to be listed in the state registry. One participant had to reschedule the test. Another participant completed the class and was hired at Central Regional Hospital before taking the skills test. She is a Health Care Technician making $18.50 per hour! The employer will provide additional training, and she will become certified as a CNA.

The CDLA informational session on March 21st was attended by seventeen participants. Two participants are currently enrolled in CDLA school. Three have graduated this month, including two women, who performed at the top of their class, and finished a week before the others! One of which accepted a position with Carolina Cargo, at the rate of .30 per mile. As she gains experience, her earnings will increase. Another has multiple job offers from trucking companies- we are waiting to hear which she accepts! All participants are expected to meet or exceed the median salary for truck drivers in this area- $39,818.00.

Ameristaff , Pallet One, NC DPS and Executive Personnel Group have had job fairs at the Centers this month. TTT Enterprises held interviews in the Business Services Conference Room on March 21 ^st . The Tatums, and their partners who had flown in from Detroit, interviewed five candidates for Chief Science Officer, and two for Production Supervisor. These candidates were chosen to interview from the more than twenty referred to the employer through Business Services. At the end of the day, they indicated that they would be making offers to three of the candidates! One participant will be the Chief Science Officer. He lost his previous job due to lay-offs at BASF. Another participant who lost his job when Cormetech was purchased and reorganized, was offered Production Supervisor. Both will be working closely with NCWorks as they recruit for the next positions in material handling and processing, shipping and receiving, and laboratory technology.

Penn Pellet hired a participant on March 20 ^th as Production Supervisor for their new facility in Henderson. This individual was previously a shift supervisor at Fed Ex. Penn Pallet plans to begin production May 1st, and will have a hiring event on April 2 ^nd . They are hiring four pallet sorters and repairers at 12/hour, and want to provide on-the-job training. They anticipate hiring more when their machinery is installed in mid-April.

PCC NCWorks NextGen Meeting

Piedmont Community College held an NCWorks NextGen meeting on Friday, March 29, 2019 in Roxboro, NC. Topics included Job Soft Skill and Financial Literacy – Basic Banking.

The session began with Allen Hines, PCC Workforce Development Instructor, working with students on “What Is Work Ethic?” Students worked together and completed a puzzle answering questions that dealt with characteristics of “Good Work Ethic”. Then the students played a game- “ Where is the Money”. In this game, students answered questions about “Good Work Ethic”. If students answered the questions correctly they got Money (fake money). The participants really liked playing this game and had fun competing to be the one with the most money.

Christine Howe from BB&T also spoke about “Money” and the participants were given workbooks in which they made notes, answered questions, and listed any questions they had. They talked about cashing checks, fees for cashing check – bank vs a “check cashing store.” In addition, Ms. Howe talked to them about checking accounts, debt cards, savings accounts-different kinds of savings accounts and the rates each potentially pays. Finally, she talked about credit and building “Good Credit” in order to someday buy a car or a house. The participants were given a chance to ask questions throughout this presentation. Lively discussion and questions came from the participants, thus showing great interest in being financially responsible.