Here is what you'll find in this month's newsletter:

The next Caregiver's Cup coffee club will be Friday, April 9 from 12:00-1:30 pm at Sadie's Coffee Corner in Henderson. If you provide care for an adult over age 60 and would like some non-structured social time and a good cup of coffee, join us! Call Austin with any questions at 252-436-2040, ext 6072. Newcomers welcome!

Two of our Senior Centers will be relocating in the coming months: Louisburg Senior Center is moving across the street to a much larger space, and Vance County Senior Center is moving to the re-purposed Eaton Johnson School. Look for grand opening events!

Incidents of COVID infection continue to decline and vaccination rates continue to improve. As of the end of March, our region has had 20,745 cases of COVID and lost just under 300 residents of all ages. As of the end of March, our region's positivity rate was 6.14%, slightly lower than the state's overall positivity rate of 6.3%. As of the end of March, 50,340 people in our region have been at least partially vaccinated, for a regional average vaccination rate of 18.66%.

The Council of Governments along with our Cooperative Extension Offices are still accepting applications for inclusion onto the the region's Visit NC Farms Mobile App. Since the pandemic, many of our region's farms and Farmers' Markets have adapted the ways they conduct business or offer products.

If you are a local farmer, local food producer, a restaurant using local foods, or offer local goods, please contact your local Cooperative Extension Office or Council of Governments for details about being included onto the mobile app.

The app is available to download for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Legislation introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly increases the fines on motorists for littering. This legislation was introduced in February and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

The US Small Business Administration is pleased to announce its Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Porgram will be accepting applications on April 8, 2021. The SBA understands entertainment venues are critical to America's economy and providing relief to operators whose revenues and operations have been affected by COVID-19. Eligible entries include: live performance venues, theaters, performing arts centers, museums, and movie theaters. The venue must have been in operation since February 29, 2020 and not have previously received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020. If the entity was the recipient of a PPP loan, SVOG funds, if awarded, will be reduced by the loan amount. To learn more about the SBA's SVOG program, please click HERE.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center are pleased to announce the Community Economic Recovery and Resiliency Initiative (CERRI) for communities. The Council of Governments has partnered with the Department in this initiative to assist small towns and rural communities recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and build resilient local economies. Any local government interested in participating in CERRI, please contact James Cunningham at 252-436-2040 or [email protected]. Participating communities will receive individualized Community Economic Resiliency and Small Business Support Plans.

Join UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Professors Dr. James "Jim" Johnson & Jeanne Milliken Bonds for a series of Zoom Meetings entitled: Lean In To 2021: More Equitable, More Resilient. The sessions will be held on April 16, May 21, and June 18 starting at 1:00 pm. Register for the series by clicking the button below.

William Woody, a United States Navy Veteran, was recently hired by Altec, as a result of the "Ask Me About Tuesday" event. While in the Navy, Woody worked as an electrician mate which required him to troubleshoot electrical systems and electric motor rewind. He gained knowledge on ship service diesel engines, was the maintenance specialist for cargo weapons elevators, and administered special trainings on electric hydraulic governors. Recently out of the Navy, he was ready to enter the workforce. He registered for the virtual hiring event that Altec held with NCWorks where every attendee was guaranteed an interview with Altec. Despite technical difficulties, he contacted the NCWorks Business Services Team after the event and expressed his desire to be considered for a position at Altec. With the help of the NCWorks team, Mr. Woody was able to schedule an alternate day for an interview and was hired.

Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) is seeking licensed General Contractors to apply to be included on the approved bidders list. The COG administers the NC Housing Fiance Agency Essential Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Pool Program as well as the Urgent Repair Program (URP) in the counties of Franklin,Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren. Licensed General Contractors with experience in performing comprehensive housing rehabilitation on occupied units will be considered. Liability insurance is required and references will be checked. Those contractors added to the approved bidders list will be invited to bid on housing rehabilitation projects. Some projects may require contractors to be Certified Renovators working for a Certified Renovation Firm or be a Certified Lead Abatement Contractor. To receive more information or a Contractor's Registration Form, please call Diane Cox, Executive Director, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at 252-436-2040.

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages bidding by small, minority, and female contractors. The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments also encourages the participation of locally owned/operated companies and firms that provide employment opportunities to low-income individuals. This information is also available in Spanish or any other language upon request.

The Open for Business Loan is a non-forgivable interest free loan, ranging from $10,000-$100,000. Eligible borrowers are small to medium size (1-99 employees) businesses who have been in business for at least 12 months and must be located in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, or Warren counties. Documentation providing evidence of a loss of revenue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is required. All loans will require a personal guarantee and additional collateral. Funds can only be used for working capital and/or equipment and require an application fee of $200. Standard loan terms of 5 to 10 years. To apply, CLICK HERE.

The Open for Business Loan Program is locally administered, funded by the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration with funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Applications are available on the Kerr-Tar COG website, or by calling Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at 252-436-2040. Applications should be completed as soon as possible as funding is limited.

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) announces a new round of funding from BAND-NC, a grant program designed to increase the number of people with internet in their homes, with the goal of making the state "first in digital inclusion." The effort, in partnership with the Broadband Infrastructure Office at the NC Department of Information Technology, and with principal support from the John M. Belk Endowment, is addressing the digital divide across NC by providing $5,000 mini-grants to communities who want to implement digital inclusion plans, begin a digital inclusion planning process, or who are looking to meet immediate digital needs.

To learn more about BAND-NC, click HERE. Applications are due by April 30.