Congress returns in September to a legislative calendar packed with end-of-the-month and end-of-the-fiscal year deadlines, as well as high profile legislation such as the infrastructure bill and a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package that reflects President Bidenâs American Families Plan. Meanwhile, Centralinaâs members are meeting with our regionâs congressional delegation.
The summary of shared visions for the regional transportation system and national examples for successful implementation in this article is organized under three general topics: shared visions for the regional transportation system, national examples and best practices and key takeaways for coordinating the regionâs transportation future.
To stay economically competitive, our regionâs economy must have a dependable, multi-modal freight transportation network to efficiently and reliably move raw materials and finished products that consumers and industries need. This network supports the regionâs economic growth, fosters job creation and helps create improved outcomes for individuals as well as the public and private sector.
Older adults often express a desire to remain living independently in their homes as long as possible. In order to meet this collective preference, especially in the coming decades, communities will not only need to offer more senior housing, but also housing that is more accessible and affordable. Continue reading to learn about 1) older adult housing trends 2) ways communities can help 3) housing grants / programs and 4) community planning policies.
Census 2020 has wrapped and under normal circumstances, the data used for redistricting would be released to the states and the public this spring. COVID-19 has caused significant delays, however, pushing out the delivery date of the statutorily required delivery of the PL 94-171 data to Sept. 30, 2021. This delay affects the usual 16-week timeframe that communities have to adjust their boundaries before local elections begin.
The Davis-Bacon Act requires that prevailing wages be paid on federally funded public works projects, such as construction, repair or alteration of public buildings, or construction of public roads or bridges. States must abide by the Davis-Bacon Act when federal funds are involved in public works projects within the state.
An important part of any planning process is the periodic evaluation or assessment of accomplishments and the identification of activities that remain. To that end, Centralina is pleased to announce that we are embarking on a five-year review of our regionâs groundbreaking growth plan, CONNECT Our Future. Over the next months, we will be evaluating accomplishments and highlighting data and local and regional successes for the purpose of informing our future priorities.
In March 2020, the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded the Centralina Economic Development District (EDD) the Centralina Disaster Relief Coordinator Grant. The grant award seeks to support the Centralina EDDâs regional emergency management system. Specifically, the project will provide local assessment of viability of existing emergency management plans and develop a regional emergency management strategy that includes evaluating the creation of a permanent regional disaster management roundtable.
On Sunday, January 3, 2021 we lost Joe Carpenter, a former public servant of Gaston County and former Board Chair of Centralina. Centralina staff and the officers of our Board would like to share our collective appreciation for his lifetime of service and many contributions to Centralina and our region.
Washington is in the final stretch of the 116th Congress. Two items remain in negotiations that must be resolved before lawmakers can head home for the holidays â FY21 appropriations and coronavirus relief. Congress was forced to pass a one-week extension of the continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels through December 18. The measure aims to give policymakers more time to strike a deal on a comprehensive FY21 spending bill, which may include coronavirus relief funding provisions if a separate aide package cannot be agreed upon.