October 2023 marks the two-year anniversary of the adoption of the CONNECT Beyond Regional Mobility Plan. During this time, focus has been on the implementation of the plan’s key near-term recommendations. One of the most important and impactful recommendations is the development of a Regional Transportation Demand Management Plan and Program. Centralina is leading the effort on this recommendation.
On October 24, 2023, Centralina held a Centralina Learns session focused on the topic of Climate and Sustainability Planning. During this session, local government staff learned about strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting built environments to be more resilient and saw examples of what climate planning looks like in our region.
In 2022, Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was awarded grant funding from the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness to pilot the Program to Encourage Rewarding, Active Lives (PEARLS). This unique evidence-based program is implemented to combat depression and social isolation in older adults throughout North Carolina. Centralina AAA staff began accepting participants in designated regional areas in December of 2022. Of those who have enrolled in PEARLS, three participants have completed the program in its entirety. Their success exceeded expectations and helped them become more confident in combatting problems using their own abilities.
In response to the unique needs of smaller communities throughout the region, Centralina has launched a new member services initiative, Small Towns Thrive. This program provides direct technical services, education and peer learning opportunities for smaller municipalities
In late October, the North Carolina General Assembly approved new district maps for the upcoming 2024 election. As required by the North Carolina Constitution, the state legislature draw districts from which representatives and senators are elected, including members of the United States House of Representatives. Following each decennial census, district maps are redrawn in a process known as redistricting.
On September 30, the United States House and Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that the President signed to fund the government at FY23 levels until November 17, 2023. The legislation provides $16 billion in disaster-relief funding, but no aid for Ukraine. The bill also reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through December 31, 2023, and contained several other miscellaneous provisions. The CR gave Congress 45 days to pass the 12 appropriation bills that fund the government or to pass another CR. Some of that time on the House side has been consumed by the ouster of the speaker and debates about his replacement.
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. EPA is providing funding through a new initiative called the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. CPRG provides funding to assist state, local and tribal governments in the development of initiatives, plans and programs to reduce the release of greenhouse gases and related co-pollutants. This article details the two phases of the program’s process and how Centralina is working to meet necessary deadlines for grant implementation.
September was National Preparedness Month, the perfect time for Centralina Community Economic Development (CED) staff to travel to Anson County to collaborate on pre-disaster recovery planning. Centralina CED, Anson County Emergency Management, staff from various departments within Anson County and subject matter experts from Innovative Emergency Management partnered with critical private-public entities to learn about how they may collaboratively inform economic resilience for their communities.
Gaston College has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to further solidify its presence as a leader in textile innovation and technology advancement. The purpose of the grant is to leverage assets and increase the capabilities of the Fiber Innovation Center.
All too often, we receive news reports about scams and fraudulent schemes that target older adults, at times with devastating results to an individual’s financial well-being and quality of life. The Cabarrus County Task Force to Prevent Abuse of Older and Disabled Adults is working to change that, and Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has been an integral part of the Cabarrus task force efforts since its inception in 2010. This article details recent data on scams involving older adults, a recap of the 2023 Cabarrus County Scam Jam and provides resources you can use to help prevent, identify and report fraud.