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.
As Congress left for the July 4th week recess, infrastructure negotiations were continuing after President Biden and a group of 21 bipartisan Senators reached a compromise on a framework for an infrastructure package. The bipartisan group consisted of 11 Republicans, including both North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, and 10 Democrats.
As the career centers resume a somewhat normal pace, the upcoming fiscal year brings more opportunities for the Centralina WDB to better serve all customers. The Centralina Virtual Career Marketplace, initiated by the Board in early 2019, offers an innovative and creative way to connect career seekers looking for new or better opportunities with local businesses wanting to hire people right now.
At the June 8, 2021, virtual meeting, the Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) presented long-time Board member, Brenda Speece with the Bob VanGorden Leadership Award.
In the 2022-2027 update to the CEDS, the EDA introduced a new requirement for economic resilience, an area’s ability to prevent, withstand and quickly recover from major disruptions. The requirement promotes planning for implementing resilience and establishing information networks. The CEDS economic resilience component supports a stronger and more resilient Centralina region.
On March 29, President Biden announced that the administration was taking further action to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines. One action included in this expansion is that, through a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL), ACL would provide nearly $100 million to help increase vaccinations among older adults and people with disabilities.
To stay economically competitive, our region’s economy must have a dependable, multi-modal freight transportation network to efficiently and reliably move raw materials and finished products that consumers and industries need. This network supports the region’s economic growth, fosters job creation and helps create improved outcomes for individuals as well as the public and private sector.
On June 9th, the Centralina Executive Board approved the organization’s workplan for the upcoming fiscal year. The FY22 Workplan, organized by the seven regional goals that are part of Centralina’s current strategic plan, includes the regional projects and services that you’ve come to expect from our organization, as well as new initiatives.
On May 26, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously passed House Bill 947, a legislative bill allocating $750 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding toward statewide broadband growth.
Several priorities for the CONNECT Our Future initiative related to transportation, namely increasing transportation choices (modes), reducing commute costs (transportation technologies and land use) and improving air quality (emissions). This transportation assessment looks back at metrics and changing conditions over the last decade.
Earlier this month, Centralina Regional Council hosted a grants webinar, How to Establish and Maintain Excellent Grant Funder Relationships, as part of its Centralina Learns training series. Diane Leonard, a Grant Professional Certified and Approved Trainer of the Grant Professionals Association, led the session, which was designed to build and strengthen participants’ relationships with grant funders to increase their organizations’ grant revenue.
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.