Robert Hiett
Executive Director
| | Creating Regional Solutions Since 1971 | |
DEQ State Energy Office accepting applications for electric grid resilience projects
RALEIGH – The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) is accepting applications statewide until June 26, 2026, for projects that modernize and upgrade the electric grid.
SEO is seeking applications through the third grant cycle of the Preventing Outages while Enhancing the Resiliency of the Electric Grid (POWER Up) program.
Approximately $8.65 million is available for projects. POWER Up will also leverage $1.29 million in state matching funds, totaling a minimum of $9.9 million in investments in grid resilience.
Proposed projects should address resilience of the electric grid and prevention of outages against disruptive events, including mitigating climate-related risks in areas of the state most vulnerable to natural disasters. Projects should also prioritize economic and workforce development.
Full details can be found here.
UCPCOG encourages member governments to contact and work with their utility providers on current grid resilience expansion and/or maintenance needs. UCPCOG’s Planning and Development Services Department Project Manager, Ron Townley, is available to discuss project needs and ideas related to this grant: rtownley@ucpcog.org.
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AskAshleigh is the first virtual caregiver integrated into an Area Agency on Aging in the nation. AskAshleigh provides immediate, personalized support with deep local knowledge, accessible at any hour of the day or night. Imagine having the expertise of Family Caregiver Resource Specialists right at your fingertips, helping you navigate caregiving challenges with real, actionable advice.
Caregiving is often an unexpected journey, filled with late nights, endless questions, and emotional challenges. For many families, especially those caring for loved ones with dementia, the journey can feel overwhelming and isolating.
This isn't just technology; it's a promise that no caregiver has to navigate this journey alone. For residents of Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, and Wilson counties, AskAshleigh is ready to provide the support you need.
Learn more: https://ucpcog.org/askashleigh/
| | Funding Opportunites and Resources | |
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EDA Invites applications for the AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program. Through this program EDA has committed to making $25 M available nationally to support industry-led workforce programs delivering training in AI skills. Key program requirements are as follows:
- Objective is to support non-construction activities that will help start or augment industry-led workforce training programs that deliver trainings in AI skills and that lead to jobs for those trained
- Emphasis on program design is supporting programs that use sectoral partnership and that are outcome focused
- EDA anticipates funding 5-8 non-construction awards
- Each award is expected to range from $1 million to $8 million, in accordance with following:
- Up to $500,000 for System Development
- Up to $2 million for Program Design
- Up to $8 million for Program Implementation
- Project durations are expected to range from 24 – 36 months
- Training must begin no later than one year after award date
- The AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program is available as a NOFO addendum to the regular PW/EAA application
- Applicants must demonstrate alignment with Special Need
- The focus industry and its associated employers are a significant part of the region or project service area’s economy; and
- AI is currently being used by the relevant industry and the employers associated with the project; and
- AI currently in use by employers in the relevant industry is important to the future competitiveness of the industry and the economy of the region; and
- There is an existing need for training in AI with the employer partners in this project that is necessary to preserve and/or enhance their competitiveness and benefit to the region.
- Applications are due by 4:59pm Eastern Time on July 10, 2026.
- For more information, AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program | U.S. Economic Development Administration.
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EDA Invites applications for the PW/EAA. The EDA AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program is in addition to EDA’s regular programs. EDA is accepting applications currently for the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance.
- Applications from governmental entities, workforce development, nonprofit and regional authorities (including airports, water/sewer authorities, regional EDDs, etc.) that advance economic development outcomes of private investment and job creation
- Applications that advance critical infrastructure to support business expansion and/or manufacturing, that advance workforce development facility or equipment that enable additional workers to be trained, and/or that help support transition of coal impacted communities (for example, closure of coal fired power plant) are priorities for the year
- Applications are accepted on rolling basis and applications are being received and reviewed
- For more information, Economic Adjustment Assistance | U.S. Economic Development Administration and Public Works | U.S. Economic Development Administration.
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Disaster applications are encouraged to submit. There is a robust pipeline of applications for disaster – applications interested in this funding are strongly encouraged to proceed forward expeditiously and move forward with submitting sooner rather than later.
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FEMA Announces $1 Billion in Funding
On March 26, 2026, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made $1 billion in federal funding available through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to support disaster mitigation projects. This combined Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–2025 funding opportunity is being released in FY2026 following a federal court enforcement order that reversed the cancellation of the BRIC program. Applications are due in the FEMA Grant Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal by July 23, 2026.
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Each year, the Golden LEAF Foundation invites organizations from counties from a different Prosperity Zone to participate in our $11 million Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI). The process is competitive, but organizations from all counties within the Prosperity Zone will have an opportunity to apply.
The CBGI is designed to identify projects with the potential to have a significant impact. It is a focused process with grants targeted toward investments in the building blocks of economic growth. Funds are limited to projects that address job creation and economic investment, agriculture, and workforce preparedness.
Available Funds Eligible Entities Process Regional Projects
A total of $11 million is available to support projects in the region. Awards are limited to no more than three projects in any county and may total no more than $1.5 million in any county. Not all proposals will be funded and there is no assurance that there will be a funded project in every county. Funds may also be awarded for regional projects (see information below), which will not count toward the limit of projects in a county, but regional projects are funded through the overall $11 million program budget.
Counties from the North Central Prosperity Zone are invited to participate in our Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI). The counties in the North Central Prosperity Zone are Chatham, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson.
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NCDEQ Division of Water Resources
What does it fund?
The State and Local Projects Grant program provides up to 50% cost-share funding of non-federal costs and technical assistance to implement stormwater control measures, flood reduction, drainage improvements, stream restoration (including dam/aquatic barrier removals, shoreline stabilization/living shorelines, etc.) and water-based recreation projects (water access sites, park development, greenways adjacent to waterbodies, etc.). This grant program also provides 50% cost-share funding for conducting feasibility or engineering studies to support implementation of these projects. Projects incorporating nature-based design elements are generally most competitive for our funding.
Eligible entities:
The applicant is required to be a local government entity (municipality, county, council of government, etc.). However, a non-governmental organization such as a non-profit, private consultant, university, watershed association, etc. can serve as a Primary Contact and help administer the grant on behalf of the local government sponsor (applicant).
Funds available:
DWR advises applicants not to exceed a $200,000 funding request
Application Closes:
June 30
Match required:
The State and Local Projects grant provides up to 50% cost-share funding of non-federal project costs for any eligible project. Any non-federal funding (state, county, municipal, private, other non-federal grant funding) can be used to meet the applicant’s 50% match (funding) requirement. Staff time and materials/equipment usage can also be used to meet the applicant’s 50% match requirement and would be considered in-kind match.
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USDA and EDA Update Resources in Joint Guide to Boost Economic Development in Rural Communities
The Stronger Together: Federal funding and planning opportunities designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural America guide has been updated to provide a handy summary of EDA and USDA Rural Development programs that can be used to support common rural development strategies
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Home charging is one of the biggest untapped advantages in today’s EV market. It’s often the most cost-effective charging option and one of the smartest ways to help balance demand across the grid. So why aren’t more fleets using it? Because until now, managing home charging at scale has been complicated, and difficult to operationalize.
SBD Technologies removes those barriers with a fully automated home charging solution designed for EV fleets — simplifying payments, improving visibility, optimizing charging costs, and creating a seamless experience for drivers and fleet managers alike. Contact them to schedule a demo, or to learn how automated home charging can simplify and scale your EV fleet operations. Visit www.sbdtechs.com, email info@sbdtechs.com, call 1(800) 906-8883, or schedule a meeting with Eric to learn more.
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ICMA's Charging Smart Webinar
The recording and presentation can be found on the Energy Ready website here. On the Energy Ready website, you can also find the Charging Smart Program Guide which offers a comprehensive explanation of the Charging Smart program, criteria, and designation requirements as well as additional resources that may be helpful as you work towards your community's EV goals.
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Digital Skills Training Available to Local Government Personnel
Computer Skills Training Available to Local Government Personnel
Get free training and a free laptop! A free self-paced training offered through UCPCOG includes internet basics, email, Microsoft Word, Excel, social media, career searching, tele-health and more.
Upon successful completion of the 17-module Northstar training, trainees receive a certification of digital skills, and a free laptop from the Kramden Institute.
UCPCOG is pleased to extend this training program to all member governments.
Everyone is eligible:
- Employees of local governments
- Local elected officials
- Local appointed board members
UCPCOG will help set each trainee up in Northstar and provide assistance as needed.
Northstar is a self-paced, virtual training portal. The online modules can be done at work or home. Each module may take about an hour to complete, depending on the self-paced timing.
The trainings are a good refresher or first course in computer skills. They give staff and officials the training necessary to use computers and online resources safely and efficiently.
Contact Betsy Kane (BKane@ucpcog.org) for more information on how to get started.
The Digital Economies Project, funded by NC Department of Information Technology, is a collaboration between UCPCOG and the three local community colleges (+ CADA & AMEXCAN) to train community members on digital skills using the Northstar Digital Literacy platform.
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EPA Launches Transparent, Interactive Permitting Map
Accessible public tool breaks down permitting barriers and removes confusion to unleash American prosperity
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching the EPA Permitting Authority Map. The interactive map—accessible via EPA’s website—identifies which regulatory agencies have the authority to issue permits covering all of EPA’s permitting programs and environmental statutes. The development of the map is an integral resource in advancing Pillar 3 of Administrator Lee Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative: Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership.
The EPA Permitting Authority Map supports federal agencies, states, territories, Tribal nations, local agencies/governments, and the general public with:
- The ability to make a quick determination whether the permitting authority is with EPA or if there has been an approved delegation, primacy, or authorization given to a state, territory, Tribal nation, or local agency.
- The use of a Geo Platform based web map, which provides maximum flexibility for site visualization and project planning ability.
EPA also released new informational tools and resources to help community members, local officials, data center developers, and other interested parties assess the viability of Brownfield and Superfund sites as possible locations for industrial reuse. EPA's Redevelopment Mapper for Superfund and Brownfield Sites can help screen for suitable site characteristics on a Brownfield or Superfund site. The Mapper provides site locations and options for adding data layers that highlight site features and surroundings.
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PFAS Cost Recovery Program: Phase 2 Is Open
Deadline to register: July 12, 2026
In partnership with the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) and Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we are sharing this important update: Phase 2 of the PFAS Cost Recovery Program is now open. This program provides public water systems with access to unrestricted settlement funds to help offset costs associated with PFAS contamination.
Why Act Now?
- $15.4 Billion Settlement Available for PFAS detections and contamination.
- No cost to register – your utility pays nothing unless funds are recovered.
- Phase 1 has ended; Phase 2 covers systems that tested after June 22, 2023.
- Deadline to register: July 12, 2026.
Who Is Eligible?
Any public water system that has detected ANY PFAS chemical at any level is eligible. This includes all 29 PFAS compounds listed in the UCMR5 monitoring rule.
How Much Will My Utility Receive?
Awards are based on:
- Level of PFAS detection
- Compound detected
- Maximum daily flows
- Funds are unrestricted—your utility decides how to use them. No approvals or reporting requirements.
Read more…
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Visit the Carolinas Development Assistance and Siting Hub!
NCCETC leads the Carolinas Development Assistance and Siting Hub (DASH) project as part of a U.S. DOE-funded program designed to support large-scale renewable energy development. The new hub will launch this week, featuring an ordinance database, numerous resources, upcoming events, and an extensive FAQ section. Be sure to check the website later this week to access the new features!
Visit the Website ➔
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A Look at Housing in North Carolina
From NC’s Housing Finance Agency, the NC Housing Snapshot is an interactive map that provides the latest housing-related data by county.
· How many residents are cost burdened
· Age of each county’s housing stock
· Population change and
· Other information that is vital to understanding the need for affordable housing across the state.
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Announcing the
NC Resilient Communities
Planning Guide!
We are pleased to announce the publication of NCORR’s newest resource:
The NC Resilient Communities Planning Guide!
The Guide is a collection of resources tailored to help North Carolina communities develop a resilience plan or integrate resilience into existing planning documents, such as a comprehensive plan or strategic plan. Because each community’s needs are unique, the Guide doesn’t offer a fixed approach. Instead, it provides users with a set of considerations, options to up- or down-scale its approaches and examples of other communities’ actions.
The Guide consists of two volumes: the Playbook and the Idea Book.
The Playbook takes users through the stages of resilience planning, from preparation through plan implementation. Each section of the Playbook includes checklists and questions for consideration, to allow the user to customize their planning process to their organization’s specific needs. While the target audience is local governments, the content will also help community organizations or regional groups craft resilience strategies.
The Idea Book provides insight into strategies that advance resilience across 14 categories. These categories include environmental topics, like Stormwater Management and Flooding; social topics like Communication and Education; and economic topics like Business and Local Economy. For each topic, we explain its connection to resilience, demonstrate strategies for increasing resilience in this area and offer an in-depth case study of a community’s resilience project.
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NC Works Career Centers assists both JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS; Feel free to reach out to the Centers in the Turning Point Region and let a team member know how they can assist! Occasionally, the NC Works Centers (Rocky Mount and Roanoke Rapids share information about events and services), however, feel free to also follow the State's general NC Works page for general information that is statewide, regarding what basic job seeker and employer services are available and what Career Centers basically offer daily; some services are set on a different schedule such as resume writing courses and other partner-offered services throughout the week, however in an effort to assist customers, this information can be shared, just call or visit! The Wilson Workforce Center, powered by Turning Point Local Area is also a resource, located at Wilson Community College campus.
NC Works Career Centers:
NCWorks Career Center, Rocky Mount
NCWorks Career Center, Roanoke Rapids
| | STEP's Twin-Counties Education and Business Leaders Summit! Explore how AI is transforming industry and education---and what it means for our future workforce. | | |
Save the Date!
Get ready to Seas the Day at our Aging Conference: Empowering Lives, Embracing Aging!
Join us on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Edgecombe Community College – Tarboro Campus for a day filled with inspiration, connection, and valuable resources to support healthy, vibrant aging.
Mark your calendars—registration opens soon! You won’t want to miss it!
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New Mobile Crisis Dispatch Program to Improve Response for People Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new pilot program to improve Mobile Crisis Teams’ response when someone experiencing a mental health crisis calls for help. The $1.5 million investment to Trillium Health Resources establishes a real-time dispatch process that streamlines response to individuals in crisis wherever they are.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new pilot program to improve Mobile Crisis Teams’ response when someone experiencing a mental health crisis calls for help. The $1.5 million investment to Trillium Health Resources establishes a real-time dispatch process that streamlines response to individuals in crisis wherever they are.
Mobile Crisis Dispatch (MC Dispatch) is now operating in 10 counties in eastern North Carolina. The initiative is directly in line with Governor Josh Stein’s Executive Order 33 that calls on NCDHHS to strengthen the mental health crisis system. MC Dispatch will get people directly into mental health care with a mobile response team, freeing up law enforcement resources.
"This initiative will connect people in crisis to the care they need by making sure they receive the appropriate level of response more quickly and efficiently," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "Streamlining this process will help achieve our goal of creating a stronger coordinated system of care."
"During a mental health crisis, seconds can make a difference," said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director, NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders. "This new platform will help mobile crisis teams respond quicker. These highly trained counselors can come to a location of the caller’s choosing and will ensure they get the help they need."
MC Dispatch is managed by REAL Crisis Intervention, Inc., North Carolina’s 988 service provider. When someone calls the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline experiencing a mental health crisis that requires Mobile Crisis response within the pilot region, MC Dispatch will either send a mobile crisis team or connect the caller with a provider and other local resources. MC Dispatch is partnering with mobile crisis teams from Integrated Family Services and Easterseals PORT Health in the pilot counties.
The MC Dispatch platform will track key performance metrics to assess response efficiency and service accessibility including:
- Response times and adherence to service-level agreements (SLAs)
- Client demographics and payer information
- Request resolution outcomes
- Travel distances for responses
- Disposition outcomes and follow-up actions provided
The ten counties involved in the first phase are: Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash, Sampson, Warren, Wayne and Wilson counties. The pilot is expected to be operational in 27 eastern North Carolina counties by the end of April with the ultimate goal of expanding it statewide. MC Dispatch is one part of NCDHHS efforts to support a coordinated system of mental health care that makes services easy to access when and where they are needed.
This investment is part of the NC General Assembly’s historic $835 million investment in mental health in 2023, with funds targeted for expanding and improving mental health care in North Carolina.
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Now Recruiting: NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature Alternate – Edgecombe County
Do you have a passion for advocacy and improving the lives of older adults? We are seeking an Alternate Representative for Edgecombe County to serve on the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature (NCSTHL).
NCSTHL is made up of volunteers age 60+ who raise awareness of issues affecting older adults and encourage the NC General Assembly to address gaps and shortages in supportive services. Who better to speak on behalf of older adults than older adults themselves?
NCSTHL meets 3 times a year: March, June, and October
Interested or want more information?
Contact Ty Whitaker, AAA Liaison to NCSTHL
252-234-5963
twhitaker@ucpcog.org
Your experience matters. Your voice matters. Help shape a better future for older adults in North Carolina.
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Healthy Aging Highlights
Staying active is an important part of healthy aging! To help those interested in learning more about exercise, NIA created an Exercise and Older Adults Toolkit to share reliable health information, research news, infographics, publications, and videos that highlight the benefits of physical activity. The materials are designed for older adults, caregivers, and health care providers.
Explore and share the toolkit to help encourage safe, enjoyable exercise at any age
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Lead Across Boundaries
June 26, 2026 | Chapel Hill
9:00am-4:00pm | Course Cost: $495
Open to professionals and elected officials
Many, if not most, of the complex issues in the public sector are not neatly contained within the purview of one organization. No one person or sector has all the ability, resources, or power to solve complex public problems.
To address these problems and opportunities, community leaders must facilitate work across the boundaries of organization, sector, or jurisdiction. Skillfully leading across these boundaries requires the ability to lead beyond the scope of one’s authority and navigate the give-and-take terrain of collaboration.
What You’ll Learn:
- Core competencies of this boundary-crossing leadership
- The mindset necessary to successfully work through inevitable conflict to accomplish collective goals
- To connect skills and concepts to a boundary-crossing issue that participants are dealing with in their communities
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July 27-30, 2026 | Chapel Hill
Course cost: $715
The course is a comprehensive educational experience that integrates theoretical and practical perspectives and provides participants with the foundation needed to organize, plan, and implement economic development programs. Expert instructors will cover trends, strategies, and the core tools of the trade.
Who Should Attend: Economic development professionals employed by public, nonprofit, and private organizations. It is appropriate for individuals new to the field and also more experienced professionals seeking to update their knowledge and skills.
What You'll Learn:
- Trends in economic development
- Ethical dilemmas
- Strategic planning
- Workforce development
- Business attraction and site selection
- Business retention and expansion
- Entrepreneurship
- Development finance
- Real estate development
- Community development
- Managing EDOs
The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and counts toward the CEcD certification.
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School of Government’s Advanced Americans with Disabilities Act Course online this summer! The course will meet on July 8 – 9 from 1 – 5 pm each afternoon on Zoom. Registration will open on Tuesday, May 26th at 9 am here: https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/advanced-americans-disabilities-act-course .
The Advanced Americans with Disabilities Act class is an intensive two-day program taking an in-depth look at ADA issues of particular concern to government and school employers. The course will focus on:
- the meaning of “disability” after the ADAAA
- how to determine whether an employee can perform essential job functions
- what medical information and tests you can require of applicants
- what medical information and tests you can require of current employees
- reasonable accommodations and the interactive process
- when service animals and emotional support animals must be allowed in the workplace
- when schedule and shift changes and job reassignment are reasonable accommodations
- dealing with behavioral issues caused by a disability
- enforcing workplace policies when an employee has a disability.
Previous enrollment in Introduction to Public Employment Law is required.
The Advanced Americans with Disabilities Act class is appropriate for human resources professionals and anyone with human resources management responsibilities, city, county and agency attorneys, city and county managers, county social services and health directors, and senior law enforcement officers.
The course fee is $350.00.
The course will offer 7 hours of CLE credit.
Attendance at the Advanced ADA course should count toward 3 of the 50 points needed for IPMA-HR recertification, 9 of the 60 PDCs needed for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification, and 9 of the 60 credits needed for PHR or SPHR recertification. While this course is not a pre-approved program for IPMA, SHRM or HRCI recertification, we will provide you with a certificate of completion and a syllabus which you can use to apply for your credits from those organizations. The course material is consistent with the continuing education requirements of all three organizations.
For more information on certifications or continuing education credits, please see the SOG’s Continuing Professional Education page.
To receive full CLE credit or a certificate of completion for human resources CE, you must attend all eight hours of the class with camera trained on you (not up on the ceiling, as someone once argued to me) and participate fully in breakout groups.
Again, the class will meet online through Zoom from 1 pm to 5 pm on Tuesday, July 8th and Wednesday, July 9.
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Sustainable Fleet Tech Conference & Expo invites you to return for 2026!
Register for the 10th annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference and Expo as we return Durham, NC on August 25-27, 2026! Early-Bird pricing (before July 11th) for standard attendees is $349. Members of promotional partners such as SGFMA, NC APWA, Black Fleet Network, NAFA, many Clean Cities, and more receive a further discounted Early-Bird rate of $299 by selecting “Member of Promo Partner” during registration!
The SFT conference serves as a premier platform exploring the
latest advancements in fleets, with a focus on data-driven solutions. Attendees
will gain invaluable insights on enhancing fleet efficiency and sustainability
across fuel types, while simultaneously reducing emissions and costs. Our
lineup of speakers comprises seasoned fleet managers and industry leaders,
offering those who attend varied expert perspectives and practical advice.
Other event highlights include:
- 12 Breakout sessions and more than 60 panelists
- 4 Mainstage Keynotes & Plenaries
- 2 Expo Hall Networking Receptions
- Green Fleet Awards Announcement & Presentation, and
- Off-site events, including Durham Bulls Baseball social & Tour of the Hendrick Automotive Center at Wake Technical College
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121 W. Nash St. Wilson, NC 27893
252-234-5952
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