Our Insights page offers original content developed by Centralina's experts, including commentary and analysis, reports and our Capitol Corner, which highlights the latest news from Washington D.C. and Raleigh. You'll also find links to resources and meeting materials.
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.
As communities across the nation wrap up observations of Public Service Week, we take time to recognize the essential contributions of local government employees: the planners, public works staff, emergency responders and administrators who keep our communities functioning. Yet behind the scenes of public service, many of these professionals face an increasingly common and troubling challenge: citizen incivility.
Federal funds are commonly passed through state agencies in North Carolina before being awarded to local governments, which can make the original funding source less obvious. Before proceeding with a procurement, local governments should verify whether an award originates from a federal source. This determination affects compliance obligations, including procurement standards, reporting, and audit requirements.
When a construction or repair contract over $300,000 involves a building, the procurement and contract are subject to additional requirements under N.C.G.S. 143-128. Therefore, this question must be answered to determine whether the additional statutory requirements apply to this procurement scenario.
The micro-purchase threshold is a federal procurement threshold under which competitive procurement is not required. The default micro-purchase threshold is $15,000, but local governments may increase the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. An explanation of increasing the micro-purchase threshold and a template for the required annual self-certification is available here.