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:

• Budget Breakdown Series: Ombudsman Services
• Public Service Special Recognition
• May is Older Americans Month
• Virtual Grant Workshop
• Heat Safety Week

In Every Edition:

• Popular Links & Resources
• Career Opportunities
• Upcoming Events

Central Pines Regional Council & Triangle West TPO Staff Recognition

Melissa Lowell

Chatham County Street Outreach Coordinator

"Melissa does incredibly challenging work with the unhoused community in Chatham County, often both physically and emotionally. I’m constantly blown away by the impact that she makes on people’s lives and the sheer amount of empathy she has."

-Nominated by Erin Young, CPRC Accounting Technician

Andres Otero

Planner I

"Andres’s work brings him into contact with a wide range of stakeholders, from students and educators to businesses, community partners, and decision-makers. What stands out most is his thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach. Whenever he encounters a challenge, he takes the time to think it through and comes prepared with clear, practical ideas to move things forward. That kind of initiative and clarity make him an invaluable team member.

Equally important is the energy he brings to work. He connects easily with others, and in his everyday interactions, whether within his team, across the organization, or with external colleagues, he helps create a more fun, positive, and friendly environment. People naturally enjoy working with him and being around him."

-Nominated by Shuchi Gupta, CPRC Principal Planner

David Miller

TPO Transportation Planner

"What makes David awesome is his consistent engagement and support. As a representative of one of our funders on the TDM grant, he goes beyond expectations by staying actively involved -asking thoughtful, timely questions and showing a clear interest in the work.

What stands out most to me is David's reliability and willingness to support the grant team, even in situations that are unusual or don’t have a clear precedent. This has been especially evident in a couple of recent situations. One can count on him to be thoughtful, responsive, and collaborative. That level of dependability, combined with his positive approach, makes him a valued partner and someone I truly enjoy working with."

-Nominated by Shuchi Gupta, CPRC Principal Planner

"David always goes above and beyond when given a task. Our members enjoy working with him, and he excels at organization and project management."

-Nominated by Colleen McGue, Triangle West TPO Planning Manager

Join us for Central Pines Regional Council’s Virtual Grant Workshop on Friday, May 29th from 1:00–2:30 PM for an interactive session designed to help local governments strengthen their grant strategy. This free workshop will provide an overview of CPRC’s Grant Assistance Program, tips for identifying and evaluating grant opportunities, and strategies for using regional collaboration and cross-sector partnerships to build more competitive applications. Attendees will also hear about upcoming funding opportunities and ways to maximize available support for their communities. Register for the event below!