Six years have passed since the regional growth framework for CONNECT Our Future was unanimously accepted by the 95-member CONNECT Consortium in 2015. Implementation of the landmark achievement started immediately for different partners and different areas of the region. This document summarizes the work of Centralina Regional Council and its look back on accomplishments in the region that tie back to CONNECT Our Future
Signed into law on March 11, 2021 by President Biden, The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), provides COVID-19 funding relief for eligible state, local, territorial and tribal governments. The purpose of ARPA is to support the public health response to COVID-19, address negative economic impacts, replace experienced revenue loss, implement premium pay for essential employees and make vital broadband and water/sewer infrastructure improvements.
The year 2020 made for a challenging and unique year for all, but NCWorks was determined to move into 2021 with optimism and hope. Yearning for normalcy, everyone was committed to coming together virtually for the annual NCWorks Partnership Conference, which was held virtually October 12-22, 2021. The theme was “NC Strong: Our Story of Resilience” and we were proud that Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director David Hollars and NextGen Specialist Solomon McAuley were selected as speakers.
Centralina Regional Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission approved the CONNECT Beyond regional mobility plan on Wednesday, Oct. 13 and Wednesday, Oct. 27 respectively. The plan provides the framework that will encourage economic growth, connected communities and equitable opportunities. Many transit options are currently focused on localized areas that leave gaps in transit on a regional level and the CONNECT Beyond recommendations will close these gaps and improve access by creating a total mobility network.
Centralina Regional Council and the Centralina Economic Development District (EDD) recently hosted the Regional Recovery Summit. The Summit was the first of three fall virtual workshops that will be held by the Regional Resilience Collaborative. Started by Centralina Regional Council and the Centralina EDD, the Collaborative will assess the viability and resiliency of emergency management plans and coordinate resources so the region can pursue greater efficiency in responding to current and future natural and man-made disasters. “It’s vital to know how we recover from these disruptions in a way that moves our communities forward and leverages the strengths of government and non-government partners,” said Geraldine Gardner, Executive Director of Centralina Regional Council.
The annual Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Conference has been a popular and successful event for more than 20 years. The 2021 Aging Conference was no exception even though it transitioned to a virtual format. Centralina AAA Director Linda Miller explains, “We had to cancel our 2020 Conference due to COVID and we wanted to ensure we wouldn’t have to cancel this year, so we decided to offer the 2021 conference virtually.” Despite this change, the conference boasted more than 300 attendees on Friday, Oct. 1, with people joining the online event from as far away as Maryland, Denver and even Nevada.
Article five in the CONNECT Our Future series focuses on topics associated with community health, namely on the relationship between community health and city and regional planning. It highlights several priorities from CONNECT Our Future and their foundational support for independent work completed by health care officials, non-profit organizations, businesses, government officials, philanthropists and community members to improve individual well-being and community health throughout the region.
Today’s senior centers are delivering vital connections to help older adults age well. Senior centers offer a vibrant, action-packed combination of social activities, fitness and health and wellness classes, volunteering opportunities and community events. Senior centers also provide local formal and informal support systems for the older and disabled adults, which can help them stay as active as possible in their community. During the pandemic, senior centers pivoted to provide virtual services such as online fitness, fun activities, support groups and occasionally grab-and-go meals.
Every 11 seconds an older adult visits an emergency department due to a fall-related injury, but many of the falls could have been prevented. Falls remain a leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and older. These falls threaten older adults’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs. However, through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced.
Given the complexity of the guidelines and opportunities for creative solutions, Centralina is launching a series of peer to peer chats to facilitate exchange among local governments on approaches to spending plan development and implementation of projects in the eligible use categories. Share your ideas, learn from others and ask questions in these quick, 30 min virtual chats.