OCTOBER 2018 NEWSLETTER
CURRENT EVENTS
Next COG Board Meeting with be Thursday, October 25th at the COG office.
The Planning Department is partnering with Project NoRest and the UNC School of Government to host a Human Trafficking workshop on October 25, 2018 . This 90 minute introductory training is for any local government staff who work in or near homes and businesses (inspections, code enforcement, solid waste management, etc.), in public spaces such as libraries and waiting rooms, or in licensing/permitting functions.  All are welcome to attend.
This training will provide local government staff with knowledge on how to detect key indicators of human trafficking, as well as resources to share with your colleagues. The workshop will be held at the Kerr-Tar Offices. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. More information will follow.  
Rural Center's Rural Counts Program Coming to Henderson on
 October 22 
From its very beginning, the Rural Counts advocacy program has been committed to taking its lead from the wisdom of local champions and Rural Center partners. 
 
After collaboratively developing our 10 strategies agenda in 2016, we spent a year on the road hosting listening sessions and visiting with leaders from each of the 80 counties we serve. Those conversations helped us articulate the top economic development priorities facing rural North Carolina: broadband, health, and small business development.
 
Now, it’s time to put meat on the bones of those issues and find solutions that will work for our entire state. 
 
We hope you will join us for (at least) one of seven  Zero Barriers Regional Policy Roundtables  this fall. These day-long sessions will feature in-depth discussions about each of our three top policy issues. We will present suggestions of policies that may make a difference, and then we want your feedback on what is good, what is bad, and what is missing. We will use your feedback to shape specific policy recommendations for the NC General Assembly to consider when it convenes for the 2019 session next January.
 
A roundtable is rescheduled for Monday, October 22, in Henderson at Perry Memorial Library. We hope you will join us for part or all of the day!

2018 Annual Awards Banquet
From left to right: Tim Karan (Granville County); Outstanding County Elected Official, Sherry Mercer (Town of Bunn); Outstanding Municipal Elected Official, Esther McCrackin (City of Henderson); Outstanding Clerk to the Board, Heidi York (Person County); Outstanding County Manager, & Zelodis Jay (Granville County); Outstanding COG Board Member.
FY 2018/2019 COG Board Officers. From left to right, Sidney Dunston; Vice Chairman, Gary Plummer; Treasurer, & Jimmy Clayton; Chairman.
Opioid Data for Local Governments in North Carolina Webinar
October 10, 10:00 - 11:30 am
As North Carolina communities respond to the opioid crisis, measurement is an essential element for identifying the challenges and crafting successful solutions. This webinar will explore sources of state and local data relating to the opioid crisis, including the NC Opioid Action Plan Data Dashboard. The discussion will consider how local governments may use the Dashboard and other data in addressing the opioid crisis locally. No cost to attend.

Speakers:
Mary Beth Cox , Substance Use Epidemiologist, NCDHHS Division of Public Health
Stacy Taylor , Health Education Director, Henderson County Department of Public Health
Adam Lovelady , Associate Professor, UNC School of Government

Clean Path 2025: Taking Charge of Our Electric Power
Saturday, November 17, 2:00-6:30 pm @ The Friday Center
A gathering of North Carolinians interested in accelerating a just transition to economical clean electricity in our state.
Come learn what local governments, municipal electric utilities, electric membership coops and members of the public can do to quickly implement the Clean Path. Hear and share success stories from North Carolina and around the U.S. Learn what obstacles lie in the way of the Clean Path and find resources to help you achieve your sustainability and climate goals. 
  • Presentations on exciting clean energy advances by local governments, cooperatives and municipal utilities 
  • Exhibit hall including qualified local solar and battery installers
  • Public talk by engineer Bill Powers, author of the NC Clean Path 2025 report, and others
  • Networking reception

NC Department of Environmental Quality application deadline extended for fall cycle
The application deadline for the Division of Water Infrastructure’s Fall 2018 funding deadline has been extended to October 31, 2018 due to Hurricane Florence. For more information and to access application forms, please go to: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wi/application-forms .
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Division is seeking applicants for priority points consideration under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) program. To receive priority points, applicants submit proposals which detail projects supporting regional economic development plans in rural areas. If selected, points will be awarded to listed projects and recognized by USDA for Rural Development funding. Applications are due September 30. For more information and to access application forms, please go to:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/strategic-economic-and-community-development .
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Upcoming 2018 KTRPO Meeting Schedule:
(Meetings are held from 3-5pm in the Kerr-Tar COG Offices, 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC 27536)
Tuesday February 13, 2018
Thursday March 8, 2018 MEETING CANCELED 
Thursday May 24, 2018
Thursday June 28, 2018
Thursday October 18, 2018
(Please note that additional meetings may need to be scheduled to accommodate NCDOT deadlines)
Prioritization 5.0: The deadline for submitting local input points on Division Needs projects has been extended to November 29, 2018 . To finalize project selections for point assignments, the KTRPO will hold a Subcommittee meeting on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 2:00-3:00 pm and the next TCC/TAC meetings will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 3:00-5:00pm. Both meetings will be held at the Kerr-Tar COG office in Henderson. An Open House will also be held at a later date to allow for public input.
Lt. Governor Dan Forest addresses the crowd at the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers 23rd Annual
Awards & Recognition Banquet held at the Vance-Granville Community College. [September 20,
2018] 
Photo Courtesy: The Daily Dispatch
Photo Courtesy: The Daily Dispatch
Lord Granville Agricultural Heritage Association’s
12th Annual Harvest Show
Help Support our Scholarship Program
October 5, 2018 Noon – 5:00 pm
October 6, 2018 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
October 7, 2018 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Corner of 12th and G streets, Butner, NC
Daily admission $5.00
Three Day admission $8.00
Children under 12 free
Two funding opportunities are available for bicycle and pedestrian projects. The America Walks Community Change Grant and the NCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. See the links below for information on both programs. Also do not hesitate to contact KTRPO staff with any questions or assistance requests for either program.

Michael Kelly, Stephanie Harmon, and Alrik Lunsford attended the NCAPA’s Annual Conference in Winston-Salem, September 10-13. The three had a chance to attend various seminars related to planning, meet with fellow Planners, and attend an awards luncheon. Also in attendance from the Kerr-Tar region were: Barry Baker, Granville County Planning Director; Mike Frangos, Creedmoor Community Development Director; and Bobby Harris, City of Henderson Planner. 
AGING
Virtual Dementia Tour

The AAA conducts the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) within the following counties: Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren. The VDT is a ground-breaking, evidence based and scientifically proven method of building a greater understanding of dementia through the use of patented sensory tools and instruction based on research conducted by P.K. Beville, a specialist in geriatrics and the founder of Second Wind Dreams. The goal of this program is to provide needed knowledge about dementia so we can provide better person-centered care and attention for those living with the disease. If you are interested in having this unique program conducted at your facility or organization, please contact Family Caregiver Specialist, Harvey Holmes, at (252) 436-2040 or [email protected]
Caregiver Support Groups
Within our Region, caregiver support groups are offered monthly in the following counties: Warren, Granville, Person and Franklin. If you are a caregiver, or know someone who is, we highly recommend attending! Our caregiver support groups offer information, assistance, guidance, and support! The following times for the meeting are listed below:

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
3 rd Tuesday @ 12:00 P.M.
(252) 430-0257

Warren County Caregiver Support Group
Warren County Senior Center
2nd Tuesday @ 3:00 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
Jillian Hardin
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.