Every year, preventable falls and house fires claim the lives of countless older adults, a stark reality underscored by national statistics. Individuals aged 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a fire, with the risk growing significantly with age. Meanwhile, one in four older adults falls each year, often resulting in injury or death. In response, the Council on Aging in Union County launched the S.L.I.P. program to proactively address these risks…

Centralina’s annual Region of Excellence Awards are back, and this year, we’re raising the bar to celebrate the incredible strides made across our communities. These awards recognize local governments, nonprofits, individuals and regional stakeholders who have gone above and beyond in expanding opportunities…

Iredell County is setting a statewide example for workforce innovation through its Iredell Ready initiative, a collaborative effort to connect residents of all ages to meaningful career pathways. Spearheaded by the Iredell County Economic Development Corporation and supported by the Centralina Workforce Development Board, Iredell Ready is building a more skilled, equitable and resilient workforce for the future…

The Ombudsman Program operates under federal mandate to investigate complaints, support residents’ autonomy and improve care standards in long-term care settings. In 2023 alone, the statewide program in North Carolina investigated 2,860 complaints, made over 4,300 resident visits, and delivered more than 6,100 consultations…

In a partnership with local govenments and Solar Crowdsource, Centralina Regional Planning is excited to announce the launch of Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a community-driven solar group-purchase program aimed at making solar energy more affordable and accessible for local homeowners and businesses…

Caregiving can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with challenges that can take a toll on emotional and physical health. To support the well-being of informal caregivers and their loved ones, Centralina’s Family Caregiver Support Program continues to offer innovative tools and resources, including the recent introduction…

As North Carolina faces increasing threats from extreme weather events, speakers emphasized the need for infrastructure that can withstand and recover from disasters. IEI forum takeaways focused on actionable steps…

With six weeks left in the House before the August recess, and eight weeks left in the Senate, Congress is racing to complete a lengthy list of legislative tasks. The Senate has begun consideration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, H.R. 1), a reconciliation package already passed by the House. While Republicans hope to have the bill on the President’s desk by July 4…

On May 20, the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CCFC), in collaboration with the City of Charlotte, hosted the Alternative Fuels Ride & Drive: an engaging, hands-on event that brought together alternative fuel vehicle vendors and fleet managers from across the region. 

Like many communities throughout the Centralina region, the City of Albemarle is anticipating significant growth in the coming years. City leaders want to ensure they have the staff capacity and capability needed to continue providing high-quality public services to the community’s growing population. They also recognize the need for a long-term, strategic approach to making staffing decisions. To support Albemarle in this effort, Centralina Regional Council recently conducted an organizational study to aid the city in developing a five-year staffing plan.