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

KTAAA received federal grant funding through the CARES Act to support COVID-19 related needs of adults age 60 and older in the region. COVID related needs include food, PPE, assistive items for the home, medical alert devices, etc. Services are available through referrals only, via physicians’ practices, social workers, case managers, and other human and social service agencies. CARES services are provided at no charge to the older adult. For more information CLICK HERE.

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15-December 7. Trained KTAAA staff will assist the region's senior centers with enrollment procedures adapted to the pandemic conditions. Billboard designs are in the works for the region to remind older adults to take advantage of the open enrollment services.

The Planning and Economic Development Department is pleased to introduce Mr. James Cunningham, IV as the new Economic Development Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the five county region. Since starting last month, James has been meeting with the Economic Development Directors, assessing each county's most immediate needs. He will assist with producing reports, data mining, researching federal and state grant opportunities, and mapping WiFi locations. James' position is through EDA CARES Act funding. Please welcome James to the region!

The last KTRPO TAC/TCC Meeting for 2020 was held on Thursday, October 22. The TAC and TCC were presented with information on the NC MOVES 2050 draft plan and updates from NCDOT. The TAC and TCC approved an Amendment to the FY 20-21 KTRPO and alterations for Criteria Weights applying to highway projects in Division 5 during Prioritization 6.0. Scoring of projects submitted during P6.0 will take place in mid to late 2021. KTRPO will provide updates once available.

Discover the latest and greatest in sustainable fleet technology, operations, and implementations at the 4th Annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Virtual Conference. The 2020 Conference will now be a series of webinar sessions on a variety of topics highlighting the leading edge of sustainable fleet practices and alternative fuel opportunities.

Each session, covering current technologies in the fleet industry, will feature several expert speakers from all around the country. Sessions will discuss the latest and greatest opportunities for biofuel, electric, natural gas, and propane fuels and fueling, with a strong focus on data-driven decisions, tools, and technologies. All webinar sessions will be offered free of charge. Save the dates and register below by clicking on the sessions you are interested in attending.

KTRPO staff continue to begin work and make necessary updates to the bicycle and pedestrian plans for the municipalities of Oxford and Norlina. KTRPO staff look forward to providing updates on these plans as they become available.

America Walks in partnership with other community organizations announce its annual Community Change Grant. This program will award grantees $1,500 in community stipends for projects related to creating healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work, and play.

The goal for this year's grant awards is to knit together seemingly disparate threads too often considered in isolation, including, but not limited to racism and the public sphere; climate and environmental justice; access and inclusion; walking and moving as a mechanism for bringing about political change; and how COVID-19 along with the need for economic recovery and a growing awakening around racial injustice might alter the landscape of working.

Proposed projects should have a particular focus on engaging in key issues with new perspectives and diverse partners/audiences highlighting the vital role that walking and transportation patterns can play.

Funded projects must demonstrate that they will show increased physical activity and active transportation in a specific community; work to engage people and organizations new to the efforts of walking and walkability; and demonstrate a culture of inclusive health and design. Projects will create healthy, active, and engaged communities that support walking as transportation, health, and recreation. Projects must show a strong and intentional foundation of equity and authentic engagement of the whole community.

Interested communities may acquire more information HERE. The deadline to apply is November 9. Awardees will be notified in December 2020. Funds must be used in the 2021 calendar year.

Thanks to five new contracts awarded by the NC Department of Transportation, totaling more than $17 million, nearly 120 miles of area roadway will be resurfaced. Under a $2.8 million contract, Carolina Sunrock will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 29.7 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Franklin County. Under a $3.8 million contract, Carolina Sunrock will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 29.4 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Vance and Warren counties. The additional contracts will be used to mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along state-maintained roads throughout Durham and Wake counties. This work can start as soon as March 15, with most of the projects completed before the unofficial end of the paving season in mid-November, and all roads done by the end of July 2022.

The 2020 Census finished collecting responses on October 15th. Below are the response rates among Kerr-Tar counties. The Census is important in determining federal funding and representation in the US House. The Council of Governments joins with local government partners in thanking those residents who responded.

According to the Census Bureau, Kerr-Tar's counties and the State of North Carolina have the following reported self-response rates as of October 16, 2020:

Many small and local businesses in the Kerr-Tar Region have been negatively affected by COVID-19. In an effort to provide support to those businesses, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is rolling out the Open for Business Loan Program. This loan program is designed to help small to medium size businesses recover from the economic effects of this pandemic.

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.

As part of the state's spending plan for federal CARES Act funding, $9.4 million was designated to provide direct aid to arts councils and arts organizations in an effort to mitigate business disruptions caused by COVID-19. These funds will be distributed on a per capita basis to all North Carolina counties with a population less than 1 million people.

Organizations that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply to receive CARES for Arts funding:

To apply or find out more information, CLICK HERE.

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority has announced the beginning of the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant cycle for counties and municipalities. In 2020, PARTF awarded more than $5 million to 17 local governments. A local government entity can request up to $500,000 with each application. To learn more about PARTF, please CLICK HERE.

Applications are due on May 3, 2021. To learn how KTRCOG can help you and your organization with a PARTF application, please contact Michael Kelly at mkelly@kerrtarcog.org.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced that the frequency of animal-vehicle collisions in the state climbed dramatically in the past year. Wake County topped the list for highest number of animal collisions. The increase can be attributed in part because of the growth in the state and county. Development has pushed animals, primarily deer, into areas where they are more likely to encounter vehicles.

NCDOT reminds motorists that autumn is also the time of year when deer show up in greater numbers along roadways increasing the likelihood of a collision. Most crashes occur between 6:00 pm and midnight. With the end of daylight saving time on November 1, the time shift increases the chance of encountering a deer during the evening commute.

NCDOT offers these tips for motorists: