LRCOG News & Updates
Our Mission
"In its dedication to regional excellence, the Lumber River Council of Governments is
proactive in identifying local and regional needs and the resources to address
those needs in an effective and fair manner."
WIOA Youth Program
Class of 2020
Congratulations!!
County Response Rates
As of July 15, 2020

National Self-Response- 62.1%
NC Self-Response- 58.3%

Submit a Community Revitalization Project for
UNC Grad Students

Graduate students enrolled in the Community Revitalization course and working with the School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI) are current professional degree students in business (MBA), planning (MCRP), and public administration (MPA), among others. Under the supervision of faculty and staff, students conduct market research, feasibility analysis, and financial modeling to help communities understand how they can attract private investment into community revitalization projects across North Carolina. Students work in multi-disciplinary teams over the course of a semester at no charge for local governments.
Internet Connectivity Survey for NC Households and Businesses

The North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office , with the Friday Institute at NC State University , is conducting this five-minute survey to gather data on internet connectivity for North Carolina households and businesses. The data will be used to inform research, policy and funding recommendations to assist communities where internet access is inadequate.
Announcements
North Carolina Will Continue To Pause In Safer At Home Phase 2

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 151
Governor Cooper Urges Congress to Pass Additional State Support for Coronavirus Response
COVID-19 North Carolina Dashboard

Knowing when to dial up or down measures that slow the spread of the virus depends on North Carolina’s testing, tracing and trends. The dashboard provides an overview on the metrics and capacities that the state is following.
North Carolina K-12 Public Schools to Require Key Safety Measures to Allow In-person Instruction

Schools will open for in-person instruction under an updated Plan B that requires face coverings for all K-12 students, fewer children in the classroom, measures to ensure social distancing for everyone in the building, and other safety protocols.
National Association on Counties

NEW Webinar Series on Health Equity and Social Solidarity in the Time of Pandemic: Strategies for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

The series highlights the challenges communities are facing as they respond to COVID-19 and its impacts and serves as an opportunity for community leaders across the nation to learn from lead researchers, policymakers and each other.

Exploring Guaranteed Income as a Strategy to Address Income Inequality

COVID-19: Disproportionate Impact on Black Communities

COVID-19: Disproportionate Impact on Tribal Nations

US COVID-19 Mapping: Bridging Data with Historical Context
Tuesday, July 21 at 3pm ET

Responding to Crisis in the Latino Population with an Equity Lens
Thursday, August 13 at 3pm ET
School of Government's
Local Leaders Academy Courses
LEGAL COMPETENCY FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
July 31, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS: FROM PANDEMIC TO PROTESTS
Aug 24,10:00 am – 12:00pm

LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL CONTROL
Sept 25,10:00 – 2:00 pm

Previous Webinars

Efforts to continue prepared food distributions during school closures for children who qualify for free and reduced price school nutrition programs.

Working with local farmers to source and distribute food supplies and provide weekend family meals to supplement school nutrition programs.

Using vacant buildings, open spaces, and closed restaurants with refrigerated storage to provide sites for food distribution and safe supply.

Keeping food-related businesses in business.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Website
North Carolina COVID-19 Information Hub
Resources
Checklist for Developing a Reopening Plan
All businesses and employers should create and implement a plan to minimize the opportunity for COVID-19 transmission at their facility. When developing these plans, there may be certain considerations to follow for compliance with applicable Executive Orders and guidance provided for individual business types. This checklist will help retail businesses and other entities reduce the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
Prevent and Protect Media Toolkit

To help you get out the word about North Carolina’s ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and expand testing and contact tracing, DHHS is providing the social media resources and flyers.
EPA Announces Release of
Water Utility COVID-19 Financial Impact Tool

EPA released a new tool to help water utilities assess the financial impact of COVID-19 on operations. Throughout the COVID-19 national health emergency—and as communities across the country reopen—water utilities have reliably provided safe drinking water and critical wastewater services. This new tool will help provide important information about the financial and operational health of water utilities, which play an integral role in protecting human health and the environment for our nation.
Interactive Quarterly
Revenue Report
Full analysis of sales tax and other key revenues from the third quarter of the current fiscal year is now available in the League’s latest quarterly Revenue Report. The interactive report also now includes April and May sales tax collections and Q3 utility tax data.
No-Cost Webinars for North Carolina Small Water Systems

“Using Free Financial Tools for Decision-making in North Carolina” (July 30)

We will discuss how to access and use spreadsheet tools from the Environmental Finance Center Network to assist in financial management decisions. These tools can be used to forecast revenue losses from COVID-19 conditions, assess the financial performance of a water system Enterprise Fund, assess and set rates that will generate enough revenues to cover expenses, determine water rate affordability for different customer groups, and identify funding sources.
“Asset Management and Capital Planning Basics for Small Water Systems in North Carolina” (August 4)
We will discuss asset management, a process or program that allows water system managers and operators to take stock of its assets and plan for their eventual replacement or repair. It is an essential best management practice for all water systems. Implementing an asset management plan also provides additional incentives when applying for subsidized funding for capital projects in North Carolina. This webinar will introduce the basics of asset management and capital planning for small water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people in North Carolina.

Training Information Available For All Eligible Sub-recipients Of FEMA Public Assistance Funding In North Carolina

Week Three for EMGrantsPro Trainings:  This third week of trainings will cover how to communicate certain activities and actions with specific FEMA deadlines using EMGrantsPro (aka EMGrants). Topics will include: Time Extensions Requests • Appeal Requests • Scope Change Requests • Project Closeout Requests • Reporting to NCEM PA

These two EMGrantsPro trainings will be on the same day - Tuesday, July 21 st at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm EST . The same material will repeat for both sessions; please choose the time that suits your schedule best.

FEMA PA 101 – The Basics: Thursday, July 23 rd at 1:00 pm EST
This live webinar will focus on the basics, and your questions will be an important part of this hour-long session to plan for future sessions.

Topics will include: Eligibility Basics (Applicant/Facilities/Work/Costs); Categories of Work; Insurance Basics; Special Considerations for Permanent Work projects; Small and Large Project Thresholds and Documentation Requirements; Required Timelines within the FEMA PA Program; Creating a project in the FEMA Grants Portal and time for your questions.
Funding Opportunities
US Economic Development Administration (EDA) CARES Act Recovery Assistance

EDA has released funding made available through the CARES ACT to facilitate economic recovery.
There is robust demand. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.
Requirements for Complete CARES Act Application
Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) BAND-NC Grant
The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State (IEI) in partnership with the Broadband Infrastructure Office at the NC Department of Information Technology, is addressing the digital divide across NC through a new program called “Building a New Digital Economy” (BAND-NC). BAND-NC will provide rapid-response community innovation mini-grants to communities across the state.
Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF) Disaster Assistance Grants for Historic Resources

Who May Apply For Grants
Local governmental units (including Councils of Government) and non-profit organizations can apply to use the Florence and Michael ESHPF Disaster Relief Grants. 
Your project must be located in one of the 61 eligible counties and involve properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is Grant Funding For 
  • Architectural and archaeological survey and inventory of historic resources to determine eligibility, degree of damage, and provide preparedness for future disasters.
  • Planning (known as pre-development) activities toward future stabilization and/or repair of damaged historic properties.
  • Brick and mortar work (known as development) to stabilize and/or repair damaged historic properties.
  • The execution of projects to mitigate the threat of damage to eligible historic properties from future natural disasters.


Request An Application Package 

Application packages can be requested by email at [email protected] . The package consists of a guide to completing the application and the application form.

The application deadline is August 14, 2020 at 4 p.m.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Small Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and non-profit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments.
NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program
Funding will provide loans to help small businesses suffering economic losses related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan program supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they grapple with, and recover from, the economic impact of COVID-19. This rapid recovery loan helps small businesses bridge the gap between when crisis strikes and when federal loans and other relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover. The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan is supported by North Carolina entities and is for North Carolina businesses. It is designed to complement federal and other assistance programs, but it is not directly associated with the Small Business Administration (SBA).
North Carolina Neighborhood Revitalization Program  Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-NR)
Deadline Extended to 4:00 PM Monday, August 31, 2020

While the CDBG-CV program is being planned , non-entitlement local units of government are encouraged to apply for the NC Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CDBG-NR) to assist with local needs identified by the community in collaboration with state and/or local health officials to prepare, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus. Projects could include, but are not limited to, stabilizing housing, rehabilitating homes for vulnerable populations, and re-purposing buildings into patient treatment centers. Please note that NR does not include any CARES Act funds, but rather using the regular CDBG program funding.
FY 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs including CARES Act Funding
Additional Funding Opportunity

Duke Energy Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant
Application period open July 15 – Aug. 31; grant decisions by Oct. 31

This grant program will award $25,000 grants for general operating funds to North Carolina nonprofits dedicated to the fight for social justice and racial equity. Grants will empower nonprofits that are led by, and provide services to, communities of color. North Carolina will hold a social justice and racial equity grant cycle annually for at least three years.
Suggested Read
Preparing for the Expiration of EO 142

Executive Order 142 (EO 142), which extended Executive Order 124 (EO 124) , expires on July 29, 2020. Both orders prohibit local governments and public authorities from terminating for non-payment many of the utility services they provide to residential customers. What happens, then, on July 30? What are local governments and public authorities permitted to do in order to collect the charges for services that have been accruing since the original order went into effect on March 31?
Authored by: Norma Houston, UNC School of Government

In the most recent legislative session, the General Assembly amended the state’s emergency management act to impose new publication requirements on county and city state of emergency declarations ( S.L. 2020-83, Sec. 11.7 ) .  Prior to enactment of HB593 which amended GS 166A-19.31(d) , county and city state of emergency declarations went into effect “upon publication.” Although “publication” was not specifically defined (other than to exempt declarations from newspaper publication under GS 1-597), the statute allowed publication to include disseminating reports of the declaration, including restrictions and prohibitions imposed under the declaration, in the mass media or by other methods to communicate the information broadly and quickly to the public.
CONTACT US

Lumber River Council of Governments | Phone: 910-618-5533 | Fax: 910-521-7556