Region a L News You
Can Use
April 2019
NEWS

Congratulations to Bailey, Halifax, Littleton, Nashville, Princeville, and Weldon on being chosen by the NC Dept. of Commerce to participate in Downtown Strong.

This is a great opportunity for these communities to flourish and prosper through economic revitalization. The Region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2022 specifically calls for the revitalization of our region’s downtowns.

This is a major step in fulfilling the goal of community development through healthy and resilient communities.

Rural Day shows Medicaid expansion needs

Patrick Woodie is president of the N.C. Rural Center, a nonprofit organization whose loans invest in rural economic development.

Last month, more than 600 rural advocates from 85 counties traveled from across North Carolina, from the mountains and from the coast, to gather in Raleigh and make their voices heard.
It was the North Carolina Rural Center’s third annual Rural Day , and it was the biggest turnout we have ever seen in our 32-year history working on behalf of rural North Carolina.
130 Members of Congress Endorse Significant Increases for OAA Programs
  
A bipartisan letter calling for significant increases for OAA Title III programs secured 130 congressional signatures this week—far exceeding previous year’s letters.

The effort , led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) who chairs the House subcommittee that has jurisdiction over OAA, requested that appropriators increase funding for OAA Title III B HCBS programs by 20 percent and Title III C nutrition services and III E Family caregiver supports by 10 percent.

If your Member of Congress signed on to this letter , please take a few minutes to send a thank you!
Got Transportation Photos? Enter NADTC's Annual Photo Contest!

AAA's connect older adults in the community with transportation because transportation is critical to ensuring that older adults can live in their homes and communities as they age.

Share your agency’s transportation story through pictures!

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center , co-administered by n4a and Easterseals, is seeking photos that illustrate its mission of increasing the availability and accessibility of community transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities.
Rural Prosperity Through the Arts and Creative Sector Report Available

On March 12, the National Governors Association, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies published their report Rural Prosperity Through the Arts and Creative Sector: A Rural Action Guide for Governors and States . This report provides economic data, almost 100 stories/case studies, and a policy framework of strategies for incorporating arts and culture into community development plans. The report and related content can be found here
NC Moves 2050 Plan

The NC Department of Transportation has updated its long-range transportation plan to guide future policies and investments. The state is expected to add nearly 4 million people by 2050; how we plan for this new growth will define the success of our residents. Planning and public input will begin soon, through outreach opportunities such as Table Topics , digital surveys, and interactive maps, to gain citizen input on transportation needs.

The N.C. Department of Transportation wants your participation in a short survey on potential impacts to transportation in North Carolina.

The survey is part of an update to NCDOT’s long-range multimodal planning project, called NC Moves 2050. Please help the N.C. Department of Transportation by sharing the survey link, ncmoves.metroquest.com with members of your organization and community. Participate by June 2 to help us understand what is important to you. Your feedback will help guide North Carolina’s future transportation policies and investments.

Thank you in advance for considering this request. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ncmoves@ncdot.gov .  Sign up to receive information throughout the study and learn more at www.ncdot.gov/ncmoves .

Persons who do not speak English or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English may, receive interpretive services by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Governor Issues Executive Order on Broadband

Gov. Roy Cooper has issued an executive order toward better internet access across the state, with first steps including a "Dig Once" policy that promotes installation of broadband infrastructure during state road construction projects. Executive Order 91 came out Thursday and additionally establishes a Governor's Task Force on Connecting North Carolina. Overall, "The order directs state government leaders to identify and remove barriers to affordable, high-speed internet access, eliminate the homework gap that results from students not having internet access, and facilitate private-sector deployment of last-mile infrastructure," a press release explained. 

The "Dig Once" policy is to be jointly developed by the state Department of Transportation and Department of Information Technology in consultation with stakeholder groups including the League. Per the order, it will go into effect this July to reduce broadband construction costs and time, "eliminating a major barrier to expanding high-speed internet access to many areas," the governor's office said. Governor Cooper argues it's "not optional" to accept unreliable, slow or non-existent connections anymore. "Too many North Carolinians lack internet access they need to apply for jobs, do homework or run a small business," he said. 

The League has assembled numerous resources, including a detailed report on the broadband gap with recommendations, at nclm.org/broadband​ .  
EVENTS
Conferences / Seminars
Webinars / Workshops


School of Government faculty member Adam Lovelady is traveling across the state this spring to offer afternoon workshops for boards making quasi-judicial development decisions.

The dates are:

·   May 1 | Greenville 
·   May 8 | Kernersville (Triad Region)
·   May 9 | Clayton
·   May 14 | Matthews (Charlotte Region)
·    May 15 | Asheville
·   May 16 | Wilmington

Time: 1-4:30 p.m.

Does your board of adjustment have new members? Do long-time members need a refresher on quasi-judicial procedures? Does your governing board handle special use permits . . . and do they need some reminders about due process and  ex parte  communications?

Does your preservation commission need an update on holding evidentiary hearings and making defensible decisions? Come join us for a training workshop in your region
2019 State Energy Conference of NC
Join us April 30 - May 1 for the 2019 State Energy Conference of NC! This year's two-day conference will feature a wide range of energy topics for attendees, as well as opportunities for continuing education credits.

Come to network and collaborate with other energy professionals from federal, state and municipal government, industry, non-profit, academia and more!

Need more convincing? There is a reception on the first day sponsored by the Duke Energy Initiative featuring beer from Trophy Brewing Co and a special appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Wuf! Then start off the morning on day two with remarks from Governor Roy Cooper.

Don't miss this chance to engage in the discussion about North Carolina's energy future! LE
Registration Now Open for the National CEDS Forum in Columbus, Ohio
(June 18-20, 2019)

The first ever National CEDS Forum is scheduled for June 18-20, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. This event will bring together staff from Economic Development Districts, regional organizations, tribes, and federal agencies for a mix of training sessions, tours, and networking opportunities.

Participants will learn about the latest best practices and resources available to support their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning, development, and implementation. Session topics will focus on: economic resilience and diversification; accessing and interpreting data; aligning the CEDS with other plans; outreach and engagement; federal funding opportunities; and more.

The forum will be co-located with the National Regional Transportation Conference and will include a handful of joint sessions and tours.

For more information or to register for this event go here . Registration ends May 15, 2019. 

If you have any questions please contact Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@nado.org

Offered in 6 Locations Across NC

 May 2019
Spring 2019 Topic: Quasi-Judicial Board Training

Does your board of adjustment have new members? Do long-time members need a refresher on quasi-judicial procedures? Does your governing board handle special use permits . . . and do they need some reminders about due process and ex parte communications? Does your preservation commission need an update on holding evidentiary hearings and making defensible decisions? Come join us for a training workshop in your region. 
Grants /Funding
$6 Billion in Loans Available for Water Infrastructure Projects

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $6 billion in credit that could finance over $12 billion in water infrastructure projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Prospective borrowers seeking WIFIA credit assistance must submit a letter of interest no more than 90 days after the Notice publishes in the Federal Register. 

Learn more in this year's Notice of Funding Availability .


New resources are available to assist prospective borrowers, including:
·     Updated Letter of Interest form
·     Updated WIFIA Program Handbook
Research Funding Opportunity on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research  (NIDILRR) at ACL is announcing a funding opportunity for a new  Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) project.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
The purpose of the  RRTC  program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program , is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders.
RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities : The purpose of this particular RRTC is to conduct research, training, technical assistance, and related activities to contribute to improved employment outcomes of transition-age youth with disabilities.
Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process.  This grant opportunity closes on May 24, 2019.
 
To stay current on NIDILRR grant opportunities, please visit www.grants.gov and search: NIDILRR or 93.433 .
Within ACL, NIDILRR works to generate new knowledge and promote its effective use to improve the abilities of individuals with disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community; and to expand society's capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for people with disabilities. NIDILRR conducts its work through grants that support research and development.

Grants Notice Funding Opportunity
Number:HHS-2019-ACL-AOA-INNU-0345

Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services Opportunity

 Funding Instrument Type:Cooperative Agreement Category of Funding Activity:Income Security and Social Services
Category Explanation: Expected Number of Awards:
7 CFDA Number(s):93.048 -- Special Programs for the Aging, Title IV, and Title II, Discretionary Projects Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:Yes

Original Closing Date for Applications: May 28, 2019  Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

Current Closing Date for Applications:May 28, 2019  Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.Archive Date:Jun 27, 2019

Estimated Total Program Funding:$1,750,000 Award Ceiling:$250,000
Award Floor:$250,000

Eligibility
Eligible Applicants:State governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
County governments
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Special district governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
City or township governments
Private institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Additional Information
Agency Name:Administration for Community Living
Description:This funding opportunity is for competitive grants to be awarded to support systematic testing and documentation of innovative and promising practices that enhance the quality, effectiveness, and proven outcomes of nutrition programs and services within the aging services network.
USDA is Seeking Applications for Technology Grants to Expand Access to Healthcare and Education in Rural Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to use broadband technology to improve access to healthcare and educational services in rural communities. Rural Development will award grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program . The grants can be used to finance telecommunication equipment, computer networks, and advanced technologies to support job training, academic instruction, or access to specialized medical care in rural areas.

The application deadline is May 15, 2019. Grants are awarded through a national competition.
Each application must provide evidence of consultation with the Rural Development State Director. When requesting evidence of consultation, applicants should provide an executive summary of the project, as well as the proposed grant and match amounts. Prior to applying, applicants are encouraged to review the 2019 Traditional Application Guide . For additional details about the program and how to apply, see Funding Opportunity Announcement No. RUS-19-02-DLT .
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