CPRC News & Updates

July 9, 2025

Welcome to "The Pine Needler," your go-to source for all things happening in the Central Pines Region! We're here to keep you in the loop with our bi-monthly updates on upcoming events and regional news. Stay connected with us as we bring you the latest happenings and stories that will surely make your day pine-tastic!

In This Edition:

In Every Edition:

Direct Pay Round Table
Strategic Planning: A Workshop for Small Towns
Safe Summer Travels

Popular Links & Resources
Career Opportunities
Upcoming Events

Direct Pay Round Table

Central Pines Regional Council is partnering with the NC Department of Environmental Quality and the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance to host an in-person info session on Elective Pay (also known as Direct Pay) — a new way for tax-exempt entities to access clean energy tax credits.

📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025

🕤 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

📍 Central Pines Regional Council

Elective Pay allows organizations like local governments, school districts, nonprofits, and houses of worship to receive direct federal payments for clean energy projects — including solar installations, EV purchases, and charging infrastructure. If your organization placed a project in service in 2025 or plans to, this session is for you. Join us to learn how to file for your tax credit, prepare for future projects, and connect with the resources you need.

Staff Picks: Ice Cream!

Ice cream is a tasty way to stay cool in the summer! We asked Central Pines Staff Members to share their favorite flavor and here's what they said:

Tyler Queen: Cookies & Cream
Beth Seidel: NC State Howling Cow's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
Karyl Fuller: Maple or Black Raspberry soft-serve
Ashley Price: Chocolate
Tom Porter: Coffee
Tara Nattress & Colleen McGue: Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked
Sean Uyehara: Salted Caramel and Humphry Slocombe's Secret Breakfast (Bourbon & Corn Flakes)
Samad Rangoonwala: Maine Blueberry Waffle
Jesse Duran: Ube
Autumn Cox: Hershey's Cotton Candy
Emily Barrett: Tartufo Gelato
Jenna Kolling: Penn State Creamery's Death by Chocolate
Dolly Hall-Quinlan: Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Lindsay Whitson: Cookie Dough
Jillian Hall: Mint Chocolate Chip (with an excessive amount of sprinkles!)

Strategic Planning: A Workshop for Small Towns

Join the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) for a two-day, hands-on workshop designed specifically for municipalities under 15,000 in population. Your town’s leadership team will work side by side with League staff to develop a 3-to-5-year Strategic Plan tailored to your community. Through guided exercises and a user-friendly planning template, your team will identify priorities, set goals, and create a roadmap for success.

This workshop goes beyond theory—by the end, you'll walk away with a working draft of your town’s Strategic Plan, ready for refinement and adoption. Past participants, like the Town of Spring Lake, have already seen real results. Don’t miss this chance to move your community forward—register now to reserve your spot!

Stay Safe During Summer Travel

Summer travel season is in full swing, and the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (NCGHSP) is urging drivers to stay alert behind the wheel—and mindful of the heat. With more people on the road and higher temperatures, risks like speeding, impaired or distracted driving, and heat-related emergencies are on the rise. The “Speed a Little. Lose a Lot.” campaign aims to raise awareness about these dangers and promote safer driving habits all summer long.

In partnership with local and regional transportation leaders, NCGHSP is also reminding drivers to never leave children or pets in parked vehicles, even for a moment. As outdoor temperatures climb, the inside of a car can become deadly in minutes. Let’s all do our part to keep North Carolina roads safe this summer. Read the full article to learn more about the campaign and what you can do.

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Career Opportunities

CPRC Openings

Work Local in the Central Pines Region

There are so many amazing career opportunities to serve your community and work for local government in the Central Pines Region. Check out the most recent job postings here!