October 2023 marks the two-year anniversary of the adoption of the CONNECT Beyond Regional Mobility Plan. During this time, focus has been on the implementation of the planâs key near-term recommendations. One of the most important and impactful recommendations is the development of a Regional Transportation Demand Management Plan and Program. Centralina is leading the effort on this recommendation.
On October 24, 2023, Centralina held a Centralina Learns session focused on the topic of Climate and Sustainability Planning. During this session, local government staff learned about strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting built environments to be more resilient and saw examples of what climate planning looks like in our region.
In response to the unique needs of smaller communities throughout the region, Centralina has launched a new member services initiative, Small Towns Thrive. This program provides direct technical services, education and peer learning opportunities for smaller municipalities
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. EPA is providing funding through a new initiative called the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. CPRG provides funding to assist state, local and tribal governments in the development of initiatives, plans and programs to reduce the release of greenhouse gases and related co-pollutants. This article details the two phases of the program’s process and how Centralina is working to meet necessary deadlines for grant implementation.
September was National Preparedness Month, the perfect time for Centralina Community Economic Development (CED) staff to travel to Anson County to collaborate on pre-disaster recovery planning. Centralina CED, Anson County Emergency Management, staff from various departments within Anson County and subject matter experts from Innovative Emergency Management partnered with critical private-public entities to learn about how they may collaboratively inform economic resilience for their communities.
Gaston College has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to further solidify its presence as a leader in textile innovation and technology advancement. The purpose of the grant is to leverage assets and increase the capabilities of the Fiber Innovation Center.Â
All too often, we receive news reports about scams and fraudulent schemes that target older adults, at times with devastating results to an individualâs financial well-being and quality of life. The Cabarrus County Task Force to Prevent Abuse of Older and Disabled Adults is working to change that, and Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has been an integral part of the Cabarrus task force efforts since its inception in 2010.  This article details recent data on scams involving older adults, a recap of the 2023 Cabarrus County Scam Jam and provides resources you can use to help prevent, identify and report fraud.
PBS North Carolina sat down with staff from Centralina Area Agency on Aging to learn more about PEARLS for its NCimpact episode on mental health and older adults. PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives) is a community- and evidence-based pilot program designed to reduce depression in physically impaired and socially isolated people. Listen to Aging Program Coordinators, Amanda Dawson and Kamiya Williams, as they discuss the elements of the program, how they measure progress and how this initiative has impacted participants.
Older and disabled adults are especially vulnerable during extreme weather events and to emergencies that often come without warning, such heatwaves, major flooding, electric outages and pandemics like COVID-19. While emergencies are out of our control, there are a number of things to do ahead of time to get and stay ready. In honor of Emergency Prepardness Month, Centralina Area Agency on Aging have prepared a checklist of things you can do to stay safe before, during and after an emergency or natural disaster.
On June 8, 2023, the Iredell Industry & Education Alliance, a collaboration of private and public sector leaders, launched Iredell Ready, a county-wide workforce initiative designed to help students and residents, K-12 through retirement age, identify opportunities to pursue individual career pathways and employment with industries in Iredell County. This collaborative effort helps to promote lifelong learning and helps to close an existing skills gap for Iredell County employers.