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Next COG Board meeting with be Thursday, March
26th.
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KTRPO will hold its next meeting on Thursday,
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March 26, 2020 @3:00PM.
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March
26th Meeting of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
Board to Feature my FutureNC
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The March 26th meeting of the Kerr-Tar
Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors will
feature Cecilia Holden, President and CEO of my
FutureNC. myFutureNC is a statewide nonprofit
organization focused on educational attainment and is the
result of cross-sector collaboration between North Carolina
leaders in education, business, and government. On Feb.
20, 2019, myFutureNC unveiled its goal and bold vision for
the future of education in our state: We will work to ensure
that by 2030, 2 million North Carolinians have a high quality
credentials or post-secondary degrees.
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Regional
Economic Development Summit
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On Thursday, February 20th the Kerr-Tar Regional
Council of Governments hosted its inaugural Regional Economic
Development Summit, Focus 20/20. Attendees had an opportunity
to hear from experts on the topics of the economy; economic
investment; entrepreneurship, and workforce development. A
special thank you is extended to our sponsors, moderators,
panelists, and of course those in attendance.
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NC Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland, COG
Executive Director Diane Cox, and COG Business Services
Manager Lou Grillo attending the COG’s inaugural
Economic Development Summit.
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Michele Burgess, President of
Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce with Doug
Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your
Community.
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Residents
Can Get Help with Taxes
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Individuals who need help with their tax
returns can do so at Perry Memorial Library. Volunteer Income
Tax Assistance (VITA) is offering free tax preparation
services three days a week at Perry Memorial Library through
April 13, 2020. Volunteers
with VITA, will assist taxpayers in preparing their returns
from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on
Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, please contact VITA at
(252) 432-6642. The Perry Memorial Library is at 205
Breckenridge St. in Downtown Henderson. VITA is also
assisting individuals prepare their tax returns at Warren
Family Institute, Building 6, located at 427 S. Franklin St.
in Warrenton.
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Vance-Granville,
N.C. Central University Sign Deal on Biotech Student
Transfers
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North Carolina Central University Chancellor
Johnson Akinleye (left) and Vance-Granville Community College
President Rachel Desmarais (right) add their signatures to an
agreement between the two schools that will mean easier
transfers for some VGCC graduates into Central University's
pharmaceutical sciences program
Photo Courtesy: NCU and The Daily Dispatch
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Officials at North Carolina Central University
are hoping a new agreement with Vance-Granville Community
College helps in recruiting more students for the
University’s biotechnology programs. NCCU Chancellor Johnson
Akinleye and Vance-Granville President Rachel Desmarais have
signed an agreement that will help assist graduates of VGCC’s
bioprocess technology degree program be accepted into
Central’s pharmaceutical sciences program.
The previous Vance-Granville coursework will
count towards a Bachelor’s of Science degree at N.C. Central.
Students will even have an opportunity to begin taking NCCU
courses while enrolled at the community college.
In working with Vance-Granville, NCCU has
“increased the pipeline of top students entering the
University who will complete their Bachelor of Science degree
in pharmaceutical sciences,” Chancellor Akinleye said. “We
hope that many stay on, as well, to earn a Master’s or a
Doctorate in Integrated Biosciences” Chancellor Akinleye went
on the say.
The Chancellor singled out the University’s
BRITE program — Biomanufacturing Research Institute
Technology Enterprise — as an academic program that could
particularly benefit from the increased ties between the two
schools. The BRITE Center trains students to work in biotech
manufacturing and research companies, joining a sector that
pays salaries that generally run about twice the state
average. Desmarais said, VGCC’s leadership is “delighted” to
deepen the college’s relationship with NCCU, and called it “a
valuable partner in creating pathways to success for our
students.”
The two schools already have joint-degree
programs in criminal justice, early childhood education, and
family and consumer services. Chancellor Akinleye has made
the expansion of joint-degree programs with community
colleges a centerpiece of his strategy for expanding NCCU’s
enrollment, and the UNC system in general has encouraged
closer ties between its universities and the N.C. Community
Colleges’ 58 campuses.
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VGCC
reports increase in enrollment
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Vance-Granville Community College has noticed
an upswing in enrollment in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Going into the Spring 2020 semester, VGCC had 2,939 students
enrolled in its regular-curriculum programs, 220 more than at
the start of the spring semester a year ago for about an 8.1%
increase.
Vance-Granville leaders are “excited about the
increasing number of students who have chosen VGCC to pursue
their higher education and prepare for a successful career,”
said Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student
engagement and success.
Enrollment in the state’s community colleges
tends to run counter to economic trends, rising during
recessions, when jobs are hard to come by, and falling during
boom times. VGCC has four campuses, one each in Vance,
Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. School officials say
they’ve tried to encourage enrollment through an assortment
of programs, including a new “Vanguard Flex” program that
offers flexible, hybrid schedules in the evenings and
weekends on the Franklin Campus in Louisburg, to accommodate
adult learners.
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PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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2020
Tentative TCC/TAC Meeting Dates
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All meetings are open to the public and held
from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of
Governments’ located at 1724 Graham Ave. in Henderson.
·
January
30, 2020
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February
27, 2020
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March
26, 2020
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April
23, 2020
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May
28, 2020
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June
25, 2020
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July 2020
- No Meeting Scheduled
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August
27, 2020
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September
- No Meeting Scheduled
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October
22, 2020
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November
2020 - No Meeting Scheduled
·
December
2020 - No Meeting Scheduled
*Meeting dates are subject to change in order
to accommodate NCDOT deadlines. If a meeting date changes,
members of the TAC and TCC will be notified
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Chapter
160D: A New Land Use Law for North Carolina
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In 2019, the North
Carolina General Assembly adopted the long-debated complete
reorganization of the state’s planning and development
regulation statutes. Originally introduced as Senate Bill 422
and House Bill 448, the legislation was adopted as Part II of
S.L. 2019-11 (Senate Bill 355). To conform to this new
statutory framework, every city and county development
regulation in the state will need to be updated by January 1,
2021.
Meant to improve
planning and land use statutes, Chapter 160D is the first
major recodification and modernization of city and county
development regulations since 1905. This new legislation will
impact most communities in the Isothermal region. Most jurisdictions
will have to update existing zoning and development
ordinances and many municipalities and counties may need to
adopt or update a comprehensive plan to keep their
development ordinances.
Elected officials,
manager, planners, and local government staff need to be
aware of two important deadlines:
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January
21, 2021 – Deadline to amend existing zoning and development
ordinances to bring them into compliance with the new state
standards
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July
1, 2022 – Deadline to update or adopt a comprehensive plan
We recommend that
you start planning now for how you will comply with Chapter
160D. To learn more about this, click on the Chapter 160D File.
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Announcing
AARP Community Challenge Grants
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Governmental
entities are encouraged to apply for AARP’s Community
Challenge Grants. AARP will prioritize projects that aim to
achieve the following outcomes:
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Increasing
civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects
that bring residents and local leaders together to address
challenges and facilitate a greater sense of community
inclusion and diversity.
·
Creating
vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks
and access to other amenities.
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Delivering
a range of transportation and mobility options that increase
connectivity, walkability, bikeability wayfinding, access to
transportation options and roadway improvements.
·
Supporting
the availability of a range of housing that increases
accessible and affordable housing options.
Demonstrating the
tangible value of “Smart Cities” with programs that
engage residents in accessing, understanding and using data,
and participating in decision-making to increase the quality
of life for all.
In addition to the
five areas of focus, AARP wants to hear about local needs and
new, innovative ideas for addressing them.
AARP Community
Challenge grants can be used to support the following types
of projects: permanent physical improvements in the
community; temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term
change; or new, innovative programming or services.
If your community
is interested in applying, please contact a member of the
KTRPO.
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Applications
Open for State Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grants
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The N.C. Department of Transportation is
accepting applications from communities for the 2020 Bicycle
and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The program
provides funding for municipalities across the state to
develop comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans. All North
Carolina municipalities are eligible to apply for a standard
bike or pedestrian plan.
The deadline for applications to be submitted
electronically is May 19,
2020 at 5:00 p.m. Award
recipients will be notified by September 2020. This program
is sponsored by the department’s Division of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation and the Transportation Planning
Branch. Proposals are divided and judged in geographical
groups to help establish equitable distribution of funding
across the state. Recipients commonly include a diverse mix
of municipalities from large cities to small towns.
Plans funded address facilities, programs,
policies and design guidelines that encourage safe walking and
bicycling. Please contact a member of the KTRPO if interested
in applying.
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Regional
Aging Needs Survey responses have poured in!
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We received hundreds of responses to our Regional
Aging Needs Survey, which will guide our priorities and help
us plan for the future. Early reviews show that we have input
from all ages and perspectives. With the growing older
population, new ideas and innovations are coming from many
sources! Our new aging plan will address the needs of aging
adults, caregivers, and persons living with disabilities in
your county.
We will be developing our new aging plan in
late March and early April. If you would like to help, we
would love to have you join our next meeting. Please call our
office at 252 436-2040 for more information.
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NEW
Family Caregiver Social Group
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Caregiver
Directed Voucher Program
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Local
NCWorks Career Centers certified by NCWorks Commission
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The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s
workforce development board, recently recognized the
certification of the NCWorks Career Centers in the area
served by the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board. That
includes Franklin, Granville, Person, Warren and Vance counties.
Leaders from the Kerr-Tar area received the certification in
person during the Commission’s Feb. 12 meeting in
Winston-Salem.
The NCWorks Commission establishes customer
service standards for all NCWorks Career Centers to ensure
high quality and consistent service delivery across the
state. These one-stop centers assist job seekers with
improving their skills and finding employment, and help
businesses develop a qualified workforce. Certification
indicates that the centers in the Kerr-Tar area deliver services
in an integrated, coordinated way, have well-trained
professional staff and are accessible to all customers.
The NCWorks Commission also recommends
policies and strategies that enable the state’s workforce and
businesses to compete in the global economy. Led by a private
sector chair, the 33-member NCWorks Commission includes
representatives from the business community, heads of state
workforce agencies, educators and community leaders.
To find information on NCWorks Career Centers,
and to access online services, visit www.ncworks.gov.
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Workforce leaders celebrate the certification
of the NCWorks Career Centers in the Kerr-Tar Workforce
Development Board area. Pictured, from left, are Jessica
Englert, Assistant Secretary of the N.C. Division of
Workforce Solutions (DWS), Michelle Muir, Regional Operations
Director for the N.C. Department of Commerce/DWS; Jamie
Cunningham, Operations Manager, EDSI; Derrick Sims, Chairman,
Kerr-Tar WDB; Monica Satterwhite, manager of the NCWorks
Career Centers in Oxford and Henderson; Vincent Gilreath,
Kerr-Tar WDB Director; and NCWorks Commission Chair Tom
Rabon.
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VGCC
Annual Career & College Transfer Fair
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On March 25th 2020, NCWorks Kerr Tar will be
partnering with Vance Granville Community College to put on
their annual Career and College Transfer Fair. This will be a
great opportunity for current students and community members
alike to network and apply with regional employers, as well
as learn more about educational opportunities through several
NC Colleges and Universities. Prior to this event NCWorks
will facilitate two preparation workshops on March 23rd and
March 24th. These workshops will showcase services available
at NCWorks, as well as provide assistance to participants
with preparing a resume for the job fair. Interview prep
sessions will also be provided at both sessions. Seats are
limited for the preparation workshops, to register please
call the Oxford or Henderson NCWorks Career Center.
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Elizabeth Kafu is currently attending
Vance-Granville Community College and has an expected
graduation date of May, 2020. Elizabeth will graduate with an
associate degree in Histotechnology. Elizabeth lives in
Wake county, and travels back and forth to school. She was
faced with unexpected car repairs during the fall semester
and rented a car to travel to school. Due to her car repairs,
she was unable to pay her tuition for the 2020 spring
semester. She applied for the Finish Line Grant to assist
with tuition payment.
Elizabeth is very thankful for receiving the
Finish Line Grant because she was unsure if she would be able
to complete the semester and obtain her degree.
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Wiley Epps received his one year service
award.
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Phyllis Green received her 10 year service
award.
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Are you having a hard time landing a job and
feel defeated or frustrated? NCWorks Career Centers have
staff and programs that can assist you. To find your
local NCWorks Career Center and see the upcoming events
click here.
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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.
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Kerr-Tar Regional
Council of Governments
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Kerr-Tar Regional COG 1724 Graham AvenueHenderson, NC 27536 2524362040
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