From:                              Katie Conner

Sent:                               Monday, April 08, 2019 4:19 PM

To:                                   Katie Conner

Subject:                          April 2019 Kerr-Tar COG Newsletter

 

 

Constant Contact


 

 

 

 

APRIL 2019 NEWSLETTER

 

 

CURRENT EVENTS

 

·     No COG Board Meeting in April. Next meeting will be Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00PM at the COG Office.

 

·     Revolving Loan Committee Meeting will be April 18th at 9:00AM at the COG Office.

 

·     Regional Aging Advisory Committee Meeting will be May 8th at 2PM at the COG Office.

 

 

 

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual “Keep Our Air Clean” Student Art Contest beginning in March. Students in grades kindergarten through college are encouraged to submit artwork centered around actions people can take to reduce air pollution from vehicles. The winners will have their artwork prominently displayed on billboards across the state.

 

For further information on the competition, please visit:

https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/2019/02/25/keep-our-air-clean-student-art-contest-launches-this-march/

 

The Clean Energy Technology Center is accepting names of individuals interested in serving as judges. If interested, please contact Alrik Lunsford at 252-436-2040 or alunsford@kerrtarcog.org

 

 

 

The Town of Warrenton has developed a survey to encourage public input for the new bicycle and pedestrian plan. Questions are designed to generate feedback on existing bicycling and walking behavior, as well as identify possible barriers that may prevent or discourage more bicycling or walking.

 

All survey responses will be treated anonymously. At the end of the survey, participants will be asked to provide an email address or telephone number to be entered for a chance to win a gift card. The survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WalkBikeWarrenton

 

 

 

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NC Legacy Tree Fund Grant

 

The NC Urban Forest Council is now accepting applications for projects relating to street tree planting, natural area planting, neighborhood planting, school projects, arbor day events, stormwater projects, or storm recovery. Submissions due by May 31, 2019. Learn more

 

 

NC Hearts Gigabit Interactive

 

Join NC Broadband Matters for the second annual showcase of solutions demonstrating why access to modern broadband matters to rural and urban vitality, workforce development, and leadership in technology innovation as a state. Register

 

PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

2019 Tentative TCC/TAC Meeting Dates

 

Meetings are held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Kerr-Tar COG Offices located at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson

 

·        January 2019 - No Meeting Scheduled

·        February 21, 2019

·        March 28, 2019

·        April 25, 2019 CANCELLED

·        May 23, 2019

·        June 27, 2109

·        July - No Meeting Scheduled

·        August 29, 2019

·        September 26, 2019

·        October 24, 2109

·        November 2019 - No Meeting Scheduled

·        December 2019 - No Meeting Scheduled

*Please note, meeting dates are subject to change in order to accommodate NCDOT deadlines

 

Elected officials serving as members of the KTRPO TAC are required to submit Statements of Economic Interest (SEI) and Real-Estate Disclosure (RED) Forms annually to the North Carolina State Ethics Commission. The due date for 2019 will be April 15. Please schedule an appointment with KTRPO staff to complete these necessary forms. 

 

 

The KTRPO joint Technical Coordination Committee (TCC) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Thursday, March 28th at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ offices in Henderson. The Committees heard a presentation from the North Carolina Department of Transportation on NCMOVES2050 Plan. NCMoves 2050 will serve as a blueprint in helping guide and shape the state’s future transportation policies and investments over the next 30 years.

 

In March, Franklin County Commissioner Sidney Dunston, a member of the KTRPO TAC and Granville County EDC Director Mr. Harry Mills, a member of the KTRPO TCC were nominated to serve as Community Leaders representing the KTRPO on the NCMoves 2050 Plan. 

 

 

The NCDOT is conducting a 5 to 10-minute citizen survey about how transportation is changing, and how North Carolina could address the challenges and opportunities resulting from these changes. The results of the survey will be used to identify transportation priorities and needs for the state. Citizens are encouraged to provide public comment and may do so via the following: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/nc-2050-plan/Pages/default.aspx 

 

 

Public Comment Opportunity for NCDOT

Division 5 Projects

 

Area residents will get a chance to learn more about the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s draft 10-Year transportation plan for 2020-2029 at a week-long open house in Durham next week. The department unveiled its proposed funding and construction plan in January with more than 1,600 transportation projects across the state.

 

The list includes 18 new projects for Division 5, which covers Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and the public. A list of the projects in the draft plan and additional information is available on the NCDOT website.

 

The transportation plan is updated every two years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are considered committed, while projects in the final five years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the development process for the 2022-2031 plan. That will start later this year.

 

Each of the department’s 14 highway divisions are hosting a week-long public comment opportunity on the projects in the current draft plan. In Division 5, it was held from Feb. 18-22, 2019 at the Division office at 2612 North Duke Street, Durham, during normal business hours.

 

The sessions served as opportunities for interested residents to review maps and handouts about the projects, ask questions of local NCDOT staff, and submit comments.

 

For interested residents who can’t attend the public comment sessions, there is an opportunity to submit comments online through April 15. The draft plan will be considered for final approval by the Board of Transportation this summer.

 

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to provide input. Anyone requiring special services should contact David Keilson at 919-220-4600, or dpkeilson@ncdot.gov, as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

 

 

 

The 3rd Annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference will be held August 7-8, 2019 at the Durham Convention Center. Discover the latest and greatest in sustainable fleet technology, operations, and implementation.

The Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference will showcase the latest and greatest technologies in the biofuels, electric, natural gas, and propane arenas. The conference will also have a strong focus on data driven decisions and technologies. With 50+ speakers and 40+ exhibitors, this event will highlight the leading edge of sustainable fleet practices and alternative fuel opportunities.

Register at the following: https://www.sustainablefleetexpo.com/registration/

 

 

Visit NC Farms Mobile App

The Council of Governments, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and local

Co-Operative Extension Offices are still accepting applications for the Visit NC Farms Mobile App. If you are a local farmer, local food producer, a restaurant using local foods, or sale local goods at a Farmers Market, please contact your local Agricultural Extension Office for details about being included in the mobile app. 

 

 

2019 Ag Awareness Day

On March 20th, the COG participated in Ag Awareness Day in Raleigh. Attendees visited with their elected officials at the General Assembly and attended an Agriculture Awareness Rally at Bicentenial Plaza, where Commissioner of Argiculure Steve Troxler and members of the North Carolina General Assembly spoke on the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy. Attendees had an opporunity to thank legislators for the much needed funding farmers received after Hurricanes Florence and Michael.  

 

 

NCDOT Announces Spring 2019 Litter Sweep

 

Each April and September, the North Carolina Department of Transportation calls on volunteers from across the state to assist in removing litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, non-profits, churches and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean. Volunteers are provided with clean-up supplies such as reversible orange and blue trash bags, gloves and safety vests from local NCDOT County Maintenance Yard offices. Last year, volunteers, Adopt-A-Highway groups and NCDOT employees removed more than 500,000 pounds of litter during the spring litter sweep. If a member of a local community group or a local government entity within the region interested in participating, please visit: http://www.ncdot.gov/littersweep 

 

 

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) and NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) hosted public Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Information & Input Sessions at four locations across the state during the month of March. These meetings coincide with Governor Cooper’s signing of Executive Order 80, instructing state agencies to make plans to promote clean energy. As part of this effort, the NCDOT is creating a statewide plan to promote the use of clean transportation technologies and is inviting the public to participate in the NC ZEV Plan Survey, available via the following link: https://nczevplan.metroquest.com/ 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Harmon, Regional Planner & RPO Coordinator applied for funding through the Active Routes to School program; a component of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School. If awarded, this grant will fund non-infrastructure projects such as: encouraging students to be more active on their way to school and while they are at school. The KTRPO thanks our region’s Superintendents for their letters of support in applying for this funding. 

 

AGING

 

New AAA Director

 

Welcome Nancy Francis, our new AAA Director. Nancy comes to us with a background in Gerontology, Law and Aging services. She is looking forward to meeting our local providers and working with everyone to support the well-being of the region’s older adults.

 

 

SENIOR GAMES

 

 

Let the games begin! Volunteers from all areas of the community are welcome. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Senior Games program as a staff member, sponsor or volunteer, please contact: Laura Yeatts lyeatts@kerrtarcog.org or call (252) 436-2040. For more information visit www.ncseniorgames.org

 

April Events Include:

·     4/5/19 – 9:00 A.M - Cycling, Track, Shotput, Discuss, and Softball and Football Throw @ Warren County High School Athletic Field, Warren County

·     4/9/19 – 9:00 A.M - Horseshoes and Tennis @ D.N Hix Complex, Granville County

·     4/12/19 – 9:00 A.M – Pickleball @ John Graham Gymnasium

·     4/15/19 – 10:00 A.M – Bowling * Singles @ Buffaloe Lanes, Raleigh

·     4/18/19 – 9:00 A.M – Cornhole @ Aycock Recreation Complex, Vance County

·     4/22/19 – 10:00 A.M – Bowling *Doubles and Mix Doubles @ Buffaloe Lanes, Raleigh

·     4/26/19 – 9:00 A.M – Boccee @ Huck Sansbury Park , Person County

·     5/3/19 – 10:00 A.M - SilverArts and Awards Show @ VGCC Civic Center, Vance County

 

 

Caregiver Support Groups

 

Caregiver support groups are offered monthly in the following counties: Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren. If you are a caregiver, or know someone who is, we highly recommend attending! Our caregiver support groups offer information, assistance, guidance, and support for all caregivers! The following times for support groups are listed below. For more information regarding caregiver support groups, please contact Harvey Holmes, Family Caregiver Specialist at hholmes@kerrtarcog.org or call (252) 436-2040.

 

 

Franklin County Caregiver Support Group

Louisburg Senior Center

2nd Monday @ 7:00 P.M

(919) 496-1131

 

Granville County Caregiver Support Group

Granville Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Room

1st Wednesday @ 12:00 P.M

(919) 690-3273

 

Person County Caregiver Support Group

Person County Senior Center

4th Tuesday @ 6:00 P.M

(336) 599-7484

 

Person County Caregiver Support Group

Cambridge Hills

2nd Tuesday @ 6:30 P.M

(336) 599-7484

 

Vance County Caregiver Support Group

Vance County Senior Center

3rd Tuesday @ 12:00 P.M.

(252) 430-0257

 

 

WORKFORCE

 

Are you having a hard time landing a job and feel defeated or frustrated? NCWorks Career Centers have staff that can help assist you. If you need a little inspiration, read this success story and how an individual who was living in a shelter and trying to go to school has now gained employment. Click here for the entire story.

 

 

Success Stories

 

March was a busy month for Kerr-Tar. Five participants were sent to CNA training at VGCC. Three of the five from our January cohort at K’s Health Care Institute completed the course and passed the skills test to be listed in the state registry. One participant had to reschedule the test. Another participant completed the class and was hired at Central Regional Hospital before taking the skills test. She is a Health Care Technician making $18.50 per hour! The employer will provide additional training, and she will become certified as a CNA.

 

The CDLA informational session on March 21st was attended by seventeen participants. Two participants are currently enrolled in CDLA school. Three have graduated this month, including two women, who performed at the top of their class, and finished a week before the others! One of which accepted a position with Carolina Cargo, at the rate of .30 per mile. As she gains experience, her earnings will increase. Another has multiple job offers from trucking companies- we are waiting to hear which she accepts! All participants are expected to meet or exceed the median salary for truck drivers in this area- $39,818.00. 

 

Ameristaff , Pallet One, NC DPS and Executive Personnel Group have had job fairs at the Centers this month. TTT Enterprises held interviews in the Business Services Conference Room on March 21st. The Tatums, and their partners who had flown in from Detroit, interviewed five candidates for Chief Science Officer, and two for Production Supervisor. These candidates were chosen to interview from the more than twenty referred to the employer through Business Services. At the end of the day, they indicated that they would be making offers to three of the candidates! One participant will be the Chief Science Officer. He lost his previous job due to lay-offs at BASF. Another participant who lost his job when Cormetech was purchased and reorganized, was offered Production Supervisor. Both will be working closely with NCWorks as they recruit for the next positions in material handling and processing, shipping and receiving, and laboratory technology.

 

Penn Pellet hired a participant on March 20th as Production Supervisor for their new facility in Henderson. This individual was previously a shift supervisor at Fed Ex. Penn Pallet plans to begin production May 1st, and had a hiring event on April 2nd. They are hiring four pallet sorters and repairers at 12/hour, and want to provide on-the-job training. They anticipate hiring more when their machinery is installed in mid-April.

 

 

 

PCC NCWorks NextGen Meeting

 

Piedmont Community College held an NCWorks NextGen meeting on Friday, March 29, 2019 in Roxboro, NC. Topics included Job Soft Skill and Financial Literacy – Basic Banking.

 

The session began with Allen Hines, PCC Workforce Development Instructor, working with students on “What Is Work Ethic?” Students worked together and completed a puzzle answering questions that dealt with characteristics of “Good Work Ethic”. Then the students played a game- “ Where is the Money”.  In this game, students answered questions about “Good Work Ethic”. If students answered the questions correctly they got Money (fake money). The participants really liked playing this game and had fun competing to be the one with the most money.

 

Christine Howe from BB&T also spoke about “Money” and the participants were given workbooks in which they made notes, answered questions, and listed any questions they had. They talked about cashing checks, fees for cashing check – bank vs a “check cashing store.”  In addition, Ms. Howe talked to them about checking accounts, debt cards, savings accounts-different kinds of savings accounts and the rates each potentially pays.  Finally, she talked about credit and building “Good Credit” in order to someday buy a car or a house. The participants were given a chance to ask questions throughout this presentation. Lively discussion and questions came from the participants, thus showing great interest in being financially responsible.     

 

 

 

Looking for a job - look at www.NCWORKS.gov 

 

 

Communities Served:

 

Franklin County

Granville County

Person County

Vance County

Warren County

Town of Bunn

Town of Butner

City of Creedmoor

Town of Franklinton

City of Henderson

Town of Kittrell

Town of Louisburg

Town of Macon

Town of Middleburg

Town of Norlina

City of Oxford

City of Roxboro

Town of Stem

Town of Stovall

Town of Warrenton

Town of Youngsville

 

 

 

 

Executive Director

Diane Cox

 

Planning & Development

Michael Kelly

 

Workforce Development

Vincent Gilreath

 

Aging

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments aims to

promote regionalism that provides opportunities for

local governments to enhance and improve the quality

of life for our citizens through effective delivery of

services and programs.

 

Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

Contact Info:

252-436-2040

252-436-2055 fax

 

Our mailing address is:

P.O. Box 709

Henderson, NC 27536

 

Website:

 

Kerr-Tar Regional COG | 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC 27536 2524362040