News & Updates for the Mid-Carolina Region
Grants, resources, news, training, important dates, and more.
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A Message from Your Executive Director
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Today marks one month since I joined the Mid-Carolina Team and you have welcomed this mountaineer with open arms! A mere “thank you” cannot express my sincere gratitude. I am incredibly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to partner with you as we refresh Mid-Carolina Council of Governments and work collaboratively to seize upon the region’s opportunities.
For the past four weeks, I have been orientating myself to the region – meeting with local government officials, trying to understand the area’s assets, working to identify the region’s challenges, examining the capacity of the Council, and getting to know my Mid-Carolina teammates. I have been from Lillington to Turkey and many places in between, visited with and listened to elected officials and managers, talked about stormwater, community revitalization, and other pressing topics, developed an appreciation for why this area of NC is so special, tried not get lost, and thanked the Lord for GPS!
I realize that I have yet to scratch the surface in terms of my knowledge and understanding of the region and how the Council can best serve our communities. There are many more folks to meet, places to visit, things to learn, and relationships to establish. However, I do know one thing – I made the right choice when I decided to become a part of this region! I am committed to working hard to earn your trust.
Please do not hesitate to
CONTACT ME
if I can be of service.
Sincerely,
Justin
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Over the past two decades, the Golden LEAF Foundation's Scholarship Program has provided $31.6 million in scholarships to help 5,400 students attend NC’s four-year colleges and universities. Scholarship applications for 2020/2021 are now available. Awards are valued at $3,000 per year for up to four years for high school seniors attending participating NC colleges and universities in the fall. Community college transfer students can receive $3,000 per year for up to three years.
CLICK HERE
for information and to access application forms. Applications are due March 1.
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Family Caregiver Support Program
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Respite Vouchers
- The Family Caregiver Support Program and Lifespan Respite has respite vouchers available. Vouchers provide respite (giving caregivers a break) by offering temporary assistance in paying for respite services such as in-home care, adult day care, and overnight care. For more information,
EMAIL
Barbara A. White, Mid-Carolina Team. You may also call Barbara at 910-323-4191 ext. 28.
Cumberland Grandparent Support
- The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County hosts its Grandparents Raising Grandchildren/Kinship Care Support Group the 3
rd
Thursday of every month.
CLICK HERE
or
EMAIL
Stephany Jackson, Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, for more information. You may also call Stephany at 910-867-9700.
Harnett Caregiver Support
- The Harnett County Family Caregiver Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 16 at 11am.
EMAIL
Latorius Adams, Harnett County, for more information. You may also call Latorius at 910-814-6075.
Harnett Grandparent Support
- The Harnett County Grandparents Raising Grandchildren/Kinship Care Support Group will meet at 11am on Tuesday, January 21.
EMAIL
Latorius Adams, Harnett County, for more information. You may also call Latorius at 910-814-6075.
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State Plan for Workforce Development
- A new draft of NC’s unified plan for the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is now available for review and public comment.
CLICK HERE
to review the draft plan and
HERE
to provide your feedback.
Golden LEAF Anniversary
- On December 4, the Golden LEAF Foundation celebrated 20 years of service to NC. Current and former board members, staff, grantees, partner organizations, and government officials came together to recognize this milestone.
CLICK HERE
to learn more.
We Are Main Street
- Recently, Main Street America launched We Are Main Street, a year-long 40
th
anniversary celebration of the people who make our Main Streets shine.
CLICK HERE
for more information and to download the We Are Main Street Toolkit.
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NC Moves 2050, a strategic transportation plan connecting communities across NC, is focused on creating a more responsive, diverse, and inclusive transportation system for keeping people and freight moving safely and efficiently. What do you want in a transportation system? Now is the time for your input.
CLICK HERE
to participate in NCDOT’s NC Moves 2050 Survey and share your thoughts.
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Communities interested in participating in the 2020 Watch for Me NC safety program may now submit applications to NCDOT. Selected communities will receive free law enforcement training, technical assistance, safety tools, and materials with pedestrian and bike safety messages that can be used at public events. The application deadline is January 31.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
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NC Main Street Conference
- The NC Main Street Conference is open to all, not just NC Main Street communities. Anyone interested in downtown revitalization and sustainability will benefit from attending. This year’s conference will be held in New Bern on March 10, 11, and 12.
CLICK HERE
for more information and to register.
SE4A Annual Conference
- The Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging's 2020 Annual Conference, 20/20: Our Vision for Aging, will be held in Asheville on August 30, September 1, and September 2.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
Homegrown Tools
- Homegrown Tools tells the story of communities that have successfully stimulated private investment and job creation. The tool connects public officials, local government professionals, and researchers to successful economic development strategies and inspires communities to leverage their unique assets.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
Try This NC
- The Try This NC website showcases dozens of healthy living programs, initiatives, and ideas from around NC, including successful projects that community organizations, churches, schools, and individuals have implemented to improve community health.
CLICK HERE
to visit the Try This NC website.
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Funding & Resources Recap (From January 2 FYI)
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GREAT Grant Program
- The GREAT Program sets aside $15 million for each fiscal year through 2029 to facilitate the deployment of high-speed internet access to communities in NC. The program is intended to provide support to internet service providers to facilitate broadband deployment in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. Applications opened December 16.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
Urgent Repair Program
- The NC Housing Finance Agency proposes to make $4.5 million available for the 2020 Urgent Repair Program. The program enables organizations to provide deferred, forgiven loans of up to $10,000 for emergency home repairs and modifications to very low income owner-occupied homes.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
Economic Development Assistance
- The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) has partnered with the International Economic Development Council to offer communities impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael professional economic development technical assistance. Resources are provided at no cost, but communities are required to define a specific project of focus.
EMAIL
Hillary Sherman, EDA, for more information.
Disaster and Economic Development Grants
- EDA invites applications for several open funding programs. Under the Public Works Program and the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, applications for construction and non-construction assistance projects that will advance job creation, job retention, and private investment are considered. EDA is also accepting applications to support economic recovery in communities impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael.
EMAIL
Hillary Sherman, EDA, for more information or
CLICK HERE
for more details.
USDA Broadband Funding
- The USDA Rural Utilities Services has released the general policy and application process for the second round of funding under its broadband program, ReConnect. Application deadline is March 16.
CLICK HERE
for additional information.
GoldenLEAF Disaster Recovery Resources
- GoldenLEAF Foundation has resources to support repair or replacement of infrastructure and equipment damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Michael, and Dorian.
CLICK HERE
for more information.
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January 22
Mid-Carolina RPO TAC Meeting
January 28
Caregiver and Beyond University
January 30
Mid-Carolina Board of Directors Meeting
February 4-5
NC Association of Regional Councils of Governments/The Forum Meeting
February 5-7
NC City & County Management Association Winter Seminar
March 10-12
NC Main Street Conference
March 15-18
National Association of Development Organizations Policy Conference
March 17-18
Senior Tar Heel Legislature
March 26
Mid-Carolina Aging Advisory Council
April 8-April 27
Mid-Carolina Senior Games
April 9
Mid-Carolina RPO TCC Meeting
April 15
Mid-Carolina RPO TAC Meeting
May 5-7
NC League of Municipalities CityVision Annual Conference
June 18-20
NC City & County Management Association Summer Seminar
July 9
Mid-Carolina RPO TCC Meeting
July 22
Mid-Carolina RPO TAC Meeting
August 13-15
NC Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference
August 30-September 2
- SE4A Annual Conference
October 8
Mid-Carolina RPO TCC Meeting
October 28
Mid-Carolina RPO TAC Meeting
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Please let us know if you have questions, need additional details about the information we have shared or if there is a way the Council can be of service. Also, if you have news, events, announcements or other items you would like included in an upcoming FYI, please
EMAIL
Justin Hembree, Mid-Carolina Team. You may also call Justin at (910) 323-4191 ext. 33.
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Mid-Carolina Council of Governments
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Mid-Carolina Council of Governments is a multi-county, planning, development, and human services organization. We reach across county and municipal borders to provide technical assistance to our local governments and to administer programs that benefit our region’s citizens.
Our mission is to provide creative regional solutions to relevant and emerging issues in Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson Counites while providing a standard of excellence in the delivery of federal, state, and regional services for our communities.
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