Capitol Corner: Centralina Takes 2025 Advocacy Agenda to Washington 

Centralina Executive Director, Geraldine Gardner, visited Washington D.C. in February of this year to participate in the National Association of Regional Council’s (NARC) annual conference. As a District IV representative for both North and South Carolina on NARC’s Executive Directors’ Council, she also attended a quarterly meeting to discuss NARC’s advocacy and intergovernmental relations efforts for 2025.   

While in D.C., her advocacy was furthered by meetings with members of Centralina’s Senate and House delegations. These meetings were supported by Centralina’s federal relations consultants at Strategics.  

In the Senate, our team discussed Centralina’s 2025 Advocacy Agenda with the offices of Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd. This agenda includes support for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  Centralina has strong relationships with both Senate offices, and we appreciate our ongoing collaboration with Senate staff on issues of importance to our region. 

Introductory meetings were also held with Congressmen, including four freshman members, and their staff to share information about Centralina, the advocacy agenda and to discuss partnership opportunities moving forward.   

Review our federal and state action plans.