In recent years, budget resolutions have been used to unlock the reconciliation process and bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster rule. The reconciliation process is a mechanism to pass major legislation that is primarily used when one party controls the House, Senate and the Presidency. Currently, Republicans are implementing this process to extend and expand expiring tax cuts, increase spending on border security and defense, reform U.S. energy policies and cut federal spending. 

By visualizing client locations on a map, the Rowan County Health Department has gained critical spatial insights that go beyond traditional data analysis. This spatial awareness serves two essential functions. First, it allows the health department to overlay socioeconomic indicators such as age and disability status from U.S. Census Bureau data on the mapped client distribution.

Held on March 28, 2025, at the Harris Conference Center in Charlotte, NC, the 2025 Annual Aging Conference brought together nearly 300 attendees, including aging professionals, educators, students and community members, all united under the timely theme: Tackling Aging.

In response to the escalating risks and costs of extreme weather, Centralina Regional Council launched a strategic initiative in late 2024 to help local governments across the region better prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Now, we’re using that momentum to submit a no-match grant to help our communities get their infrastructure projects going.

It’s important for local governments to use their money wisely and plan for the future. But as communities grow and change, it can be hard to meet all their needs with limited resources. That’s where Centralina Regional Council comes in. Our facilitation services, like helping with strategic planning and budget retreats, support local governments in making smart decisions and staying focused on their goals…

Centralina is revising the City of Locust’s land use plan to provide a roadmap that will serve the city and its residents for the next 20 years. On April 12, 2025, our staff attended an event hosted by the City of Locust to form a connection with community stakeholders and develop an understanding of the community’s needs. By taking advantage of an existing community event, we were able to meet more residents and have a casual conversation about their priorities…

Our FY26-28 Strategic Plan update was informed by robust internal and external engagement. This engagement yielded several key themes, like expanding local support and capacity building for implementing regional plans, enhancing programs that connect leaders from across the region and prioritizing relationship building.

ARPA reporting season is upon us and as a reminder, all local governments that received State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) must submit reports to the US Treasury by April 30, 2025. For many local governments, this ARPA reporting period will cover activity from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025. Here are a few tips and reminders to consider as you prepare to submit this report…

Transportation remains one of the most pressing unmet needs among older adults and individuals with disabilities. Access to transportation is more than just a convenience, it’s a vital link to healthcare, food, employment and social engagement, all of which are essential components of community well-being. Recognizing this, Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has released an updated version of its Transportation Guide, offering local governments a powerful tool to support residents, improve planning and advance health.

In 2020, Carrie Black launched Integrity Home Mobility, Inc., combining her expertise as a physical therapist assistant with her newly acquired general contractor license to fill a critical gap in home care. Through her unique fusion of healthcare and construction knowledge, Carrie created a full-service company focused on helping older adults live safely and independently in their homes…