UPDATE: 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The Office of Management and Budget has released a memo rescinding memo M-25-13, which was issued on January 27, 2025.

The executive order “Unleashing American Energy” pauses disbursements of certain funds under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Agencies are directed to suspend payments of grants, loans and other financial mechanisms until the new administration completes a 90-day review to ensure alignment with its energy policy.

We’re excited to share Centralina Regional Council’s draft Digital Opportunity Plan and request your valuable feedback. This plan aims to support counties in bridging digital gaps by improving access, affordability and digital skills for all residents.

For the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), Mecklenburg County anticipates receiving approximately $1,000,000 from HUD for the Community Development Block Grant program. Join this public meeting on February 13 to give your input.

We are asking for less than 10 minutes of your time to answer 10 questions in our Strategic Priorities Survey. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this survey, whether you’re an elected official, a Board member, a local government staff member, a participant in one of our programs, a leader in a partner organization or a friend of the organization. 

Mecklenburg County is preparing for its fiscal year 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant Program Annual Action Plan and funding allocation. The county anticipates receiving approximately $1,000,000 in funding that will be available for qualifying public service programs and public projects. Learn more and apply.

For the first time since 2019, Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is hosting an in-person conference for aging service providers and professionals across the region! This year’s conference theme, Tackling Aging, will empower attendees to conquer these obstacles and provide quality service to older adults efficiently and effectively. 

As the 118th Congress concludes, several reauthorizations important to regional councils and local governments were passed in 2024 while others remain unresolved. Significant programs with lapsed authorizations, such as those under the Older Americans Act and other federal laws, will likely shape priorities in the 119th Congress that started on January 3, 2025. 

The Town of Norwood has received a CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant was prepared through a partnership with Centralina Economic Development and will be put toward the renovation of 15 homes, predominately owned by low-income older adults.

Like countless other communities, the City of Gastonia has noticed excessive litter along its roadways in recent years. The short-term solution was to turn to the Public Works Department’s mowing crew. These crews were being pulled from their daily duties to address litter complaints, so Gastonia made a change.