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! | |
- Economic & Community Development Month (Opportunity Zones & Foreign Trade Zone #93)
- Wake Forest Celebrates World Mental Health Day
- Grant Assistance Training
- Connected Region Conversations: Water Regionalization
- NC Dept. of IT Releases AI Resource Hub
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- Popular Links & Resources
- CPRC with Lee Tour
- Career Opportunities
- Upcoming Events
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- October is Long-Term Care Planning Month
- Active Aging Week: Oct. 6-12
- World Hospice & Palliative Care Day: Oct. 11
- National Check Your Meds Day: Oct. 21
| | Popular Links & Resources | | Opportunities to Celebrate Economic & Community Development Month! | | Central Pines is celebrating Economic and Community Development Month by gearing up for two events that will be held in early November! These events are geared towards business leaders, community and economic development professionals, local and state government staff and elected officials, and trade specialists. | | |
Date: Wednesday, November 5
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Location: Central Pines Regional Council, Durham
Cost: FREE
This regional roundtable will focus on Opportunity Zones (OZs), which are a federally established program that encourages private investment in targeted, economically distressed Census Tracts. As a part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, OZ 2.0 legislation has been introduced, with distinct differences from the current legislation (OZ 1.0). This includes new incentives for rural areas.
CPRC will be joined by the Economic Innovation Group who will discuss the basics of OZs, the differences between OZ 1.0 and OZ 2.0, and why it is important to start planning for new designations now. Staff from communities throughout the region will be in attendance sharing how they have leveraged OZs that have resulted in development success stories.
| | Explore Global Trade Opportunities at the Foreign Trade Zone #93 Summit | | |
Date: Wednesday, November 12
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Location: Central Pines Regional Council, Durham
Cost: $25 or Free for FTZ #93 Board Members and Current/Pending Operators
The Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #93 Summit will be focused on all things FTZ. This half-day event will convene business leaders, trade specialists, local government staff and elected officials, and economic development professionals to discuss the current global trade climate and explore how FTZ #93 can serve as strategic tool during a time of economic changes.
| | On the Ground for Mental Wellness: Highlights from the Wake Forest Mental Health Fair | |
My name is Grace Berry, and I serve as the Lead for North Carolina Fellow this year for Central Pines Regional Council. I recently had the honor of representing Central Pines at the Wake Forest Mental Wellness Fair, held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Hosted by the Town of Wake Forest and championed by Commissioner Nick Sliwinski, this annual event continues to show what it looks like when local government takes meaningful action to support mental wellness. The upcoming World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated annually on October 10, provided perfect timing for the fair to highlight the importance of mental well-being and community connection. The fair was free and open to the public, offering residents a chance to connect with local providers, explore practical tools, and hear directly from professionals and advocates who are leading the way on mental health awareness in our region.
| | | So, You Got the Grant - Don't Lost It! Compliance, Reporting, & Staying Audit-Ready | Managing grant funding doesn’t end once the award letter arrives. Join Central Pines Regional Council on October 30 for “So You Got the Grant—Don’t Lose It!”, a practical, in-person training designed to help you navigate compliance, reporting, and audit readiness with confidence. | Led by Lindsay Whitson, CPRC’s Community and Economic Development Director, this session will walk participants through every stage of the grant lifecycle—from pre-award planning to post-award compliance and closeout. You’ll also explore real-world scenarios and connect with peers across the region to share strategies for success. | |
Date: Thursday, October 30
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Location: Central Pines Regional Council, Durham
Cost: $25 or free for members of CPRC's Grant Assistance Program
| | | A Connected Region Conversation: Water Regionalization | |
As the Triangle and surrounding communities continue to grow, the demand for reliable water infrastructure is rising faster than ever. Join Central Pines Regional Council for the first session in the Connected Region Conversation series—focused on how collaboration can secure our region’s water future.
This event will bring together local governments, state agencies, utilities, and private sector partners to explore real-world approaches to water regionalization—from shared infrastructure investments to governance and land use coordination. Through panel discussions, case studies, and peer exchange, attendees will gain tools to:
- Coordinate water investments across boundaries
- Navigate regulatory and governance challenges
- Integrate water planning with housing, land use, and transportation strategies
- Build partnerships that strengthen regional connectivity
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Featured speakers include Hal Hegwer (City of Sanford), David Lambert (NC Department of Commerce), Whit Wheeler (City of Raleigh), Kip Padgett and Mayor Vivian Jones (Town of Wake Forest), and Mayor Kyle Shipp (Town of Pittsboro).
This conversation is designed for policymakers, managers, planners, utility providers, and community leaders working to ensure sustainable access to water across our growing region.
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Date: Thursday, November 13
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Location: CPRC Office, Durham
Cost: Free to attend
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NC Department of Information Technology Releases Artificial Intelligence Resource Hub | Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a topic hurdling towards local governments that will require strategy, nimble approaches, and collaboration to determine how our organizations will respond and leverage it. The State of North Carolina has developed a hub for AI resources being used across stage agencies, a framework for responsible AI usage, training courses for those seeking to learn more, and more. The hub will be updated regularly as new materials are identified or created. | | | |
CPRC with Lee Tour
CPRC Executive Director Lee Worsley has a goal of visiting all 50 communities that are a part of the Central Pines Region. So far, he has visited Sanford, Holly Springs, Selma, Siler City, Pinehurst, Kenly, Morrisville, Chapel Hill, Carthage, Wake Forest, and Apex. Follow along with this blog post as Lee tours the region!
| | | | 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 | | | |
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