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! | |
- Introducing the Regional Data Center!
- From the Desk of the Executive Director: Federal Funds in Our Region
- CPRC Recognized Nationally for New TDM Accreditation
- CPRC Awarded Urgent Repair Program Funds
| |
- Popular Links & Resources
- Career Opportunities
- Upcoming Events
| | |
Introducing the Regional Data Center! | The Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) is excited to announce the launch of our new Regional Data Center, a comprehensive platform designed to enhance access to data, applications, and visualizations pertinent to our seven-county region in North Carolina. This initiative underscores our commitment to transparency and data-driven decision-making, providing stakeholders with valuable insights into various aspects of our community. | Users can explore an array of maps created by CPRC, offering detailed visual representations of regional data. We invite community members, researchers, and policymakers to utilize the Regional Data Center to foster collaboration and drive initiatives that benefit our region and we hope it's a useful resource for you! Feedback and suggestions for future additions to the site are welcome and can be sent to kfuller@centralpinesnc.gov. | A snapshot of one of the maps in the Data Center. |
|
Popular Links & Resources | Local Government Career Expo Seeking Event Sponsors | We had a great turnout at our first ever regional Local Government Career Expo last year and we are now in the planning process for this year's event! We are currently seeking sponsors for this year's event. If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Alana Keegan at akeegan@centralpinesnc.gov. | CPRC team at 2024 LOGO Expo | | |
From the Desk of CPRC Executive Director Lee Worsley
Since the change in Federal Administration, there has been a great deal of attention on government efficiency and federal spending. While the debate around spending continues in Washington, D.C., the direct impacts of actual, planned, and perceived federal cuts have already begun to significantly and potentially negatively impact our region's economy.
|
- On February 13, 2025, RTI International announced a temporary layoff of 226 US staff, including 61 people in North Carolina, due to the ongoing pause in US foreign assistance. RTI was created in 1959, is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, and is a leading non-profit research institution.
- Similarly, FHI 360, headquartered in Durham, is a non-profit research organization that announced a furlough to 36% of its US staff, including 200 in North Carolina, on February 7 because of federal funding issues.
- Last week, UNC's vice chancellor for research wrote a letter to university researchers last Friday stating that NIH’s potential change would have "a significant and negative impact" on UNC-Chapel Hill.
| *This piece intends to help frame how federal funds are used in the Central Pines Region and hopefully to assist in the discussion of whether prioritization and spending levels align with public spending goals. | | | |
Central Pines Recognized Among the First Earning Transportation Demand Management Accreditation | CPRC has been recognized as an Accredited TDM Organization by the Association of Commuter Transportation (ACT). This newly minted distinction recognizes organizations meeting industry-wide criteria for commitment to administrative excellence, the field of TDM, and continuous improvement. | These high-performing organizations have proven they possess the governance, structure, and integration with the broader field required to deliver effective programs and services. They are the first to achieve accreditation, which will last for three years. | "We are grateful for this national recognition of the great work that Central Pines and our community partners are doing in the area of Transportation Demand Management," said Matt Day, CPRC Transportation Director. "Our Triangle Transportation Choices program works with multiple partner agencies and organizations to encourage and educate the region's residents about opportunities to use transit, carpool/vanpool, bicycle, walk, and other methods of reducing single-occupant vehicle trips, thereby reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality." | |  |
NC Housing Finance Agency Awards $8.8M for Urgent Home Repairs | Central Pines was one of 40 local governments awarded funding from the NC Housing Finance Agency for its Urgent Repair Program (URP)! More than 600 low-income homeowners in North Carolina will receive emergency home repairs thanks to $8.8 million from the NC Housing Finance Agency. These homeowners will join more than 18,975 households across 100 North Carolina counties that have been assisted by URP since its inception. | URP operates statewide through local governments, regional organizations (like CPRC), community action agencies, and other nonprofit sponsors. Funding is provided to these groups to allocate loans up to $15,000 per household to very low-income homeowners for emergency repairs to correct safety hazards, or to make accessibility modifications to homes for elderly citizens, veterans, or people with disabilities. | In 2024, URP assisted more than 590 homeowners with an average income of $18,490. More than three quarters of those beneficiaries were elderly citizens and almost half were people with disabilities. Total program costs averaged $9,850. | | | |
|
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!
| | |
Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | | |
Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy |
| | | |
