The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) presented their Achievement and Leadership Awards on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during an awards ceremony held at its 58th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia. Ten projects received 2024 Achievement Awards including Centralina Regional Council for its Small Towns Thrive initiative.

In 2015, the CONNECT Our Future regional growth plan identified transportation choice as a key priority for the region and in 2021, CONNECT Beyond, our region’s first mobility plan, was adopted. Transportation continues to remain a top need for older adults and people with disabilities across the region. In response, the Centralina planning and aging departments partnered together on mobility management to address transportation needs for older adults and people with disabilities. This effort included the development of a rideshare study and rideshare resources for older adults and people with disabilities.

In today’s world, 92% of jobs require digital literacy skills. Unfortunately, in North Carolina, many lack internet access or cannot afford the required subscription or equipment. Many also lack digital literacy skills and are unable to benefit from services like telehealth, online educational courses or online job boards. Creating digital access is an essential first step in tackling digital barriers to support economic mobility and prosperity for all. Digital skills result in greater access to employment and higher wages, which leads to greater economic vitality for our region. Continue reading to learn how Centralina plans to help.

Jose’ Villa Gomez came into the NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus in Concord looking for employment and needed assistance with his resume. At the time he was employed with a temporary agency working 3rd shift as a welder making $16.50 per hour, which was not enough to be self-sufficient. He had the desire to find permanent employment and an ultimate career goal of becoming a general contractor. Keep reading to learn how NCWorks helped.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented organizations with a challenge when it came to holding meetings. As a convener, much of Centralina Regional Council’s work involves bringing people together. During the nearly two years that we were unable to hold in-person meetings and events, Zoom and other virtual platforms provided a suitable alternative for engaging with our members, partners, and other stakeholders. Keep reading to learn what’s changed, how to choose a meeting format and the impact of different approaches.

Charm, hospitality and vibrancy. These are the words that spring to mind when anyone takes the time to venture through the heart of China Grove, North Carolina. Located in Rowan County, between the Town of Landis and the City of Salisbury, the Town of China Grove had its first settlement as early as 1710 and was referred to as Savits Mill and Lutherville before becoming China Grove, named after the grove of chinaberry trees located next to the community’s train depot. Keep reading to learn more about our new member community.

On August 11, 2023, Stinger Park was buzzing with more than just late-summer heat. It was the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new park, and it was buzzing with people, too. With excitement, people of all ages explored the new facility, which has baseball and softball fields, multipurpose fields, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, a cornhole area, shaded picnic spaces, scenic nature trails, jungle gyms, a splashpad, and so much more. After years of planning, McGill Associates, PA helped bring the City of Bessemer City’s vision to life by providing electrical, planning, design, funding assistance and construction support for the project.

After lots of planning (plus a three-year delay thanks to the pandemic), Centralina eagerly hosted its first Women in Government event on Thursday, March 28th. U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams, Ph.D delivered opening remarks to elected officials and city staff about her career in government, encouraging attendees to keep proving that women’s insight is needed and that women in government positively impact the bottom line.

In 2020, Centralina helped the City of Albemarle administer a community survey to gather public feedback on the current state of the community and a vision for the future to help them development the FY23-26 strategic plan. With year two of Albemarle’s strategic plan implementation process under way, city officials were interested in gaining further input from the community to help measure the progress of strategic plan implementation. In need of guidance, city officials again reach out to Centralina to assist with administering a 2023 community survey.