Shirley and Melvin Springs reside in Charlotte where they were referred by their insurance company to Centralina AAA for support services. Melvin was diagnosed five years ago with dementia. Melvin, due to his diagnosis, needs 24-hour supervision and hands-on assistance with activities related to daily living. Centralina AAA provided Shirley with opportunities to take time back for herself while knowing Melvin was in good hands. Read on to learn how.

Transportation choice is critical to ensuring a high quality of life, access to opportunities and economic vitality. Building new roads or lanes is expensive, long-term and creates more demand for driving in a single-occupancy vehicle. By changing preferences and travel behaviors, TDM programs increase the efficiency of existing infrastructure and allow travelers to better understand and increase their use available options. 

Finding a new Town Manager is a major decision for any community as the Town Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of their municipality, helping bridge the expertise and experience of staff with the desires and will of the public. This requires a unique skillset that is not easily acquired. Centralina can help.

Hurricane Helene barreled through western North Carolina in September 2024, proving that unprecedented disasters can destroy communities, take lives and wipe out vital lifelines in a matter of hours while leaving long lasting impacts. Preparing for disasters like Hurricane Helene on “blue-sky” days, or days where no disaster is imminent or on the horizon, plays a critical role in disaster recovery and enhances resiliency in our region.

Accommodating growth, growing economic competitiveness and achieving goals of sustainability and equity are reliant upon our ability to create livable communities that support a variety of mobility options. Mobility-friendly land use and development patterns need clear intent through land use plans and development codes, both of which occur at the local level. Read on to see our mobility-friendly communities playbook.

In NC, individuals who are “Hispanic or of Latino Origin” comprise roughly 3% of the state’s 65+ age group and are the third-largest ethnic population. In order to meet the needs of this often underserved group, Centralina Area Agency on Aging spearheaded a variety of new collaborations to reach out to the region’s Hispanic older adult population. This included hiring consultant Myra Green, a community health worker who is not only bi-lingual but is also an expert in services for older adults.

From 2017 to 2021, the City of Charlotte recorded 93 bicycle crashes involving children ages 0 to 17. This number is higher than that of any other city in the state. To protect our children and their right to ride safely, the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative (CCEEJI), an extension of the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition, successfully applied for an NCDOT grant that awarded Centralina Regional Council with 50 helmets to distribute to local youth in underserved communities.  

Read on to see how CCEEJI is putting these helmets to use in the community.

The Centralina region is susceptible to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards with cascading impacts across the globe. The region supports many economic industries across the United States and is growing at a rapid rate. Due to these factors, we must ensure planning efforts support consideration of what happens after a disaster. Learn how Centralina has helped local governments prepare for disaster.

In 2015, the CONNECT Our Future regional growth plan identified transportation choice as a key priority for the region and in 2021, CONNECT Beyond, our region’s first mobility plan, was adopted. Transportation continues to remain a top need for older adults and people with disabilities across the region. In response, the Centralina planning and aging departments partnered together on mobility management to address transportation needs for older adults and people with disabilities. This effort included the development of a rideshare study and rideshare resources for older adults and people with disabilities.

In today’s world, 92% of jobs require digital literacy skills. Unfortunately, in North Carolina, many lack internet access or cannot afford the required subscription or equipment. Many also lack digital literacy skills and are unable to benefit from services like telehealth, online educational courses or online job boards. Creating digital access is an essential first step in tackling digital barriers to support economic mobility and prosperity for all. Digital skills result in greater access to employment and higher wages, which leads to greater economic vitality for our region. Continue reading to learn how Centralina plans to help.