SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

CURRENT EVENTS

·     The Annual Awards Banquet will be Thursday, September 26th at the Festival House in Timberlake, Person County.

*If you have not RSVP'd, please do so ASAP

Bunn's 4th Annual Night Out

Each year Bunn's National Night Out continues to grow.

This year, Bunn had face painting in the new park, Bunn Baptist Church and police department gave away over 100 bookbags filled with school supplies, the HP and FCSO were also on site with Bunn Fire Department. Bunn had a great turn out!

EDA announces availability of funds to support disaster-impacted communities

EDA recently announced the availability of funding under the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program to help communities and regions implement projects that can advance economic recovery and resiliency. 



To be eligible, communities must be in an area where a Presidential disaster declaration was made as a result of Hurricanes Florence, Michael and other named events during 2018 and must propose a project that advances economic resiliency and supports disaster recovery. 

Under this authority, EDA will make grant awards for projects that help disaster-impacted communities advance resilience projects. As stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, “resilience is the ability of a community or region to anticipate, withstand, and bounce back from various disruptions to its economic base. Under this definition, resilience is multi-dimensional and is aimed not only at addressing immediate needs, but helping communities better prepare for and withstand future shocks. Some examples of resilience include efforts to broaden the industrial base with diversification initiatives, enhance business retention and expansion programs to strengthen existing high-growth sectors and industries, development and construction of high-performance and resilient infrastructure and buildings (e.g., broadband, energy, flexible and natural infrastructure, safe development practices, business incubators) to mitigate future risk and vulnerability, and comprehensive planning efforts that involve extensive engagement from the community to define and implement a collective vision for economic recovery. The deployment and adoption of new technologies play vital roles in strengthening economic resilience: deploying technologies enables resilience in the face of natural disasters, and nurturing technology ecosystems support dynamic, diverse economies that better withstand acute disruptions.”

EDA will support both construction and non-construction projects through this funding opportunity. Construction projects must be publicly owned, and the construction must occur in an eligible disaster area. All projects must have Matching Share funds available, committed, and unencumbered at the time of application. EDA generally expects to award up to 80 percent of eligible costs. Applicants must submit a disaster nexus that details the impact of the qualifying storm, and must detail the nexus between the proposed project scope of work and disaster recovery and resiliency efforts. Further, proposed projects must align with the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). 

EDA invites all eligible applicants to apply for funding. All funding will be competitively awarded, based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, which includes but is not limited to the strength of the disaster nexus, the extent to which the project is responsive to the needs of communities impacted by the relevant disasters regarding disaster relief, the project’s feasibility, the alignment with the CEDS, the significance of the impact upon the region from the relevant disaster, the project’s ability to support job creation and promote private investment in the area, and applicant organizational capacity.

For full information on this grant opportunity, please see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=319126. Applicants should submit their application materials via Grants.gov. EDA provides staff to ensure all interested parties clearly understand all application and submission requirements. To discuss this opportunity further or seek clarification on submission, please contact Hillary Sherman at hsherman@eda.gov or 404-730-3013.

The N.C. Department of Transportation needs volunteers to help clean up trash along roads during the Adopt-A-Highway Fall Litter Sweep from Sept. 14-28.

Each April and September, NCDOT asks volunteers to help remove 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. The Kerr-Tar regional benefits from this bi-annual event, with many of our local governments participating. 

State Accepting Applications for Projects

to be Funded by VW Settlement

·     $24.5 million will be available

·     40% will be allocated for school bus replacement

·     Projects can be submitted by local, state and tribal governments, public or nonprofit organizations or eligible public-private partnerships

·     $3.4 million will be available for the installation of Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Charging Infrastructure

·     Projects in designated corridors will receive priority to expand the state’s charging infrastructure network

·     Projects can be submitted by eligible businesses, incorporated nonprofits, and state, local, tribal or municipal government agencies

Interested applicants can find the applications, RFPs and additional program information at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/motor-vehicles-and-air-quality/volkswagen-settlement. The deadline to apply is 5:00 pm ET on September 30, 2019.

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

The KTRPO TAC and TCC met on Thursday, August 29, 2019, from 3:00-5:00pm at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments office in Henderson. KTRPO staff presented both Committees with updates on the following items: the NCARPO quarterly meeting; 2019 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference and Expo; the SPOT P6.0 process; the draft 2029 STIP; three (3) bridge replacements projects in the region; and North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement Funding. The KTRPO TAC and TCC will not meet again until the new year. Should a meeting need to be held, members will be notified.  

SPOT P6.0 Update

KTRPO met with NCDOT staff from the Aviation and Rail Divisions in Raleigh last month to discuss project submittals for the next round of transportation funding and scoring, Prioritization 6.0. Members of the Prioritization 6.0 Subcommittee have been identified and meetings will be scheduled during the months of September and/or October. 

The Planning Dept. is pleased to announce it will receive a 2019 NADO Impact Award in October at the organization’s Annual Training Conference in Reno. This award recognizes the launch of the region’s Visit NC Farms Mobile App. The mobile app was launched on July 1 and highlights of region’s farms, farmers markets, farm stays, and various other agritourism activities. The NADO Impact Awards honor NADO members for their creative approaches to advancing regional community and economic development and improved quality of life. 

Community Development Block Grant Water Infrastructure Funding

The Planning Department is assisting the Town of Louisburg apply for funding through the Division of Water Infrastructure located within the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The Division provides low-interest loans and grants for local governments for water infrastructure improvement projects. Please contact the Planning Department if your community is interested in applying for funding. For more details, please visit:

https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-need-funding.

2020 NC Transportation Summit

North Carolina’s 2^nd annual Transportation Summit will be held January 8-9 at the Raleigh Convention Center. This year’s summit will provide attendees with insight and guidance on the future of mobility, discover the latest in transportation funding and new technologies. Your attendance helps ensure that North Carolina's transportation industry is keeping up with the state's needs. Please visit www.nctransportationsummit.com for further registration details.

EDA supports Opportunity Zones

EDA has taken a significant step to support the Opportunity Zone program by creating a new category of “special need” for designated Opportunity Zones in its funding notices. This designation means that certain areas that would otherwise fail to meet EDA’s economic distress criteria may now be eligible for EDA grants.

Additionally, EDA has designated Opportunity Zones as a new Investment Priority, meaning that it represents a critical focus for the agency.

So, how could this work? EDA funds could support critical public infrastructure that would catalyze the investments Opportunity Funds are providing in designated opportunity zones. EDA funds can support public infrastructure like water, sewer, access roads, utilities (for electricities), incubators, workforce training centers, port improvement, airport improvements, etc. that will catalyze private-sector jobs in designated Opportunity Zones.

 EDA has created an Opportunity Zone resource to highlight examples of investments the Agency has made to help attract investment and stimulate job creation in designated Opportunity Zones. To learn more, please go to https://eda.gov/opportunity-zones/.

To learn more or to discuss projects in your area, please contact Hillary Sherman at 404.730.3013 or hsherman@eda.gov. 

Complete Streets

On Aug. 8, 2019, members of the N.C. Board of Transportation unanimously adopted a resolution in support of implementing amendments to the Department’s Complete Streets Policy. The policy directs transportation engineers and planners to take into account and incorporate multiple types of transportation into road projects, where feasible. NCDOT is also providing an Implementation Guide supporting the Complete Streets Policy. The Guide provides comprehensive guidance for incorporating a complete streets approach into NCDOT’s planning, programming, design, and maintenance processes. More information of the policy may be obtained via: https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/bike-ped/Pages/complete-streets.aspx

Warrenton Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 

The Warrenton Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee will meet on September 24^th at the Rural Fire Department in downtown Warrenton. During this meeting the steering committee will review feedback from the latest public workshop, held on July 16^th, and recommendations included in the draft plan compiled by the consulting firm VHB. The draft is expected to be presented at the September meeting of the Warrenton Town Board for adoption. 

AGING

Two Opportunities for Virtual Dementia Tour 

On Friday, September 13^th, the Kerr-Tar AAA will conduct the Virtual Dementia Tour from 9:30 A.M-3:00 P.M at Sarepta Baptist Church, located at 295 Gillis Alson Rd, Warrenton, NC 27589. The Virtual Dementia Tour is a sensitivity training that allows individuals to see what it might be like to live with dementia. Caregivers, community organizations, business leaders and others are encouraged to attend. Space is LIMITED. If you are interested in taking the tour, please contact Sarepta Baptist Church at (252) 257-9200 to sign up!

On Friday, September 27^th, the Virtual Dementia Tour will take place from 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. at Person County Senior Center, located at 87 Semora Rd, Roxboro, NC 27573. If you are interested in taking the tour, please contact Lynn Jones at

(336) 599-7484 to sign up!

The Virtual Dementia Tour is a sensitivity training that allows individuals to see what it might be like to live with dementia. Caregivers, community organizations, business leaders and others are encouraged to attend. Space is LIMITED. 

In an emergency, every second counts.

Kerr-Tar Regional AAA is launching the File of Life project in partnership with local emergency responders and our senior centers. File of Life is an information card in a red, magnetized sleeve that is placed on the person’s refrigerator so that emergency responders have all essential information immediately available should the person need experience a health crisis. The program already exists in over 5,000 communities in the US, and is supported by AARPand the Red Cross. Our launch is starting in Franklin and Warren counties and will move to the other three counties within the next two months.

The File of Life Program

Medical emergencies can happen anytime. When they do, there is confusion, panic and urgency. Paramedics arrive on the scene with no information about the person in need. Seconds count – they can make the difference between life and death. Does the patient have prior medical conditions? Allergies? What medications are they taking? Who do they want us to call? How do we contact their family or friends? File of Life puts these answers at their fingertips. It allows first responders to immediately begin the best possible treatment, notify loved ones, and pass this vital data on to awaiting physicians at the emergency room. File of Life has already saved thousands of lives. It is an absolute asset to emergency preparedness, and peace of mind, for every household and community across the nation.

History

Since 1995, more than 5,000 communities across the United States have implemented a File of Life program. Our product is in 18 million homes nationwide with 900,000 being distributed last year alone. Within 24 years, we have gained the support of national and state civic organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Council on Aging (N.C.O.A.) and AARP. The File of Life products have appeared prolifically in local press as well as major media outlets including NBC Nightly News.

The local File of Life project is sponsored by the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging, in partnership with local senior centers, emergency responders, businesses and faith based organizations. File of Life refrigerator magnet sleeves and personal size sleeves for your wallet, purse or glove box are available through the these local organizations or the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging.

Limited sponsorships are available to local organizations who would like their business name on the front of the information card. Contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging Director, phone 252 436 2040 ext 2047.

WORKFORCE

WIOA Success Stories

Seniqua Turner received her Associate Degree in Early Childhood from VGCC in May 2019 while participating in the NCWorks Next Gen program. When Seniqua first enrolled in the program in 2014, she needed financial assistance for education, she also was basic skills deficient in reading. Within the first year of the program, she was able to increase her reading level. Seniqua has attended the North Carolina Youth Summits throughout her years of being a WIOA NCWorks NextGen participant and has been able to develop leadership skills and connect with other youth from across the state. Seniqua has participated in work experience opportunities with the Vance Co Boys & Girls Club, and Vance-Granville Community College. Seniqua continues to strive to advance in her education and has been accepted into the North Carolina Central University Eagle Voyage Program to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Relations. She started classes at North Carolina Central University in August 2019 for the fall semester. Let’s all congratulate Seniqua on these accomplishments and wish her well with her future endeavors with much success!  

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) welcomed a member of Governor Roy Cooper’s cabinet, Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders, to the college’s Main Campus on July 18. During her visit, Secretary Sanders discussed the recently-released “Status of Women in North Carolina Health & Wellness” report, commissioned by the Council for Women & Youth Involvement. The Council is a division of the Department of Administration. While speaking with students, she also discussed the Finish Line Grant program which helps community college students complete their training when facing unforeseen challenges. VGCC participates in the Finish Line Grant through its partnership with the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board. To read the full news article, visit VGCC’s website at https://www.vgcc.edu/state-cabinet-secretary-visits-vgcc/. 

Click here to see what's happening in the month of September at the Oxford & Henderson Career Centers.

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

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.