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.
Over the last year, we developed a three-year strategic plan that will serve as a roadmap for organizational growth and fiscal stability in service of our mission. The plan was informed by robust engagement with our staff, Board and regional stakeholders, including the 2021 Regional Dialogue Series that aimed to understand changes in Centralina communities since the pandemic and explore opportunities for regional collaboration.
Fall risks impact everyone from infancy into older age. From the moment babies take their first steps to running errands as an older adult, fall risks exist. However, older and disabled adults are affected more by the potential effects of falls. A fall can be a gateway to other problems, leading to a decline in health. BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) recognized this risk and is piloting a program that focuses on fall prevention education and home modifications.
As individuals age and develop chronic medical conditions, they are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature, and they may also be taking medications that can worsen the impact of extreme heat. Operation Fan Heat Relief helps vulnerable adults at risk for heat-related illnesses stay safe during the summer. Individuals who are 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, are eligible to sign up for assistance.
Land use planning provides an opportunity to integrate land use practices with other local priorities, such as transportation connectivity, healthy living, infrastructure investment and economic development. However, developing a land use plan is a significant undertaking that requires extensive research, data analysis, community engagement and plan design to provide the community with an effective tool to guide future decisions.
From 2020 to 2022, Centralina Regional Council supported the City of Albemarleâs Council, Administration and staff in developing a three-year Strategic Plan. The Strategic Planning process was a natural next step in the City of Albemarle’s organizational growth and development. City Manager Michael Ferris commented that, âThe City of Albemarle is a complex operation and like any governmental unit we have more needs than we can address at once.â
Earlier this summer, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. The legislation provides federal action in three main areas: taxes, healthcare and climate. To deliver approximately $370 billion in climate and clean energy funding, the Act makes reforms to the tax and healthcare systems, including a new minimum corporate tax, an extension of ACA health insurance subsidies and authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.
Centralina Regional Council held a Centralina Learns session on Wednesday, August 17 about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending for allocations under $10 million. We had a great turnout and participation as our session provided an overview of the updated guidance the U.S. Treasury released on July 27 as well as considerations for spending approaches and following good governance. If you missed the session, here are six points that you need to know.
Christina was promoted to Director of Community Economic Development at the start of the fiscal year. To celebrate her successes with Centralina, we sat down with her to pick her brain and learn more about Christina and her goals as Director of Centralina CED.
The Centralina Economic Development District (EDD) partnered with Centralina Regional Council and the nine-county emergency management (EM) directors to launch the Regional Resilience Collaborative (RRC) in April 2021. The RRC program examines the viability and resiliency of EM disaster recovery plans and economic resilience needs to ensure the region benefits from greater efficiency in responding to current and future natural and man-made disasters and economic shocks.
AICP has announced new mandatory educational requirements for the Certification Maintenance (CM) program. The update aims to ensure AICPâs certification remains relevant to the dynamic and ever-changing needs of todayâs planners and communities. Under the previous iteration of the CM program, planners were required to obtain 32 CM credits during each two-year reporting period, with at least one and a half credits each in the areas of Law and Ethics. While the 32-credit requirement remains in place, the CM program update will require credits in two new topics, Equity and Sustainability and Resilience, which were identified by the AICP Commission as essential knowledge areas for planners.