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.
The NCWorks Career Centers across the region continue to serve as vital hubs for workforce development, and recent efforts demonstrate their expanding impact. With strong leadership and coordination from the Centralina Workforce Development Board, two exciting…
A conversation that began two years ago between the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCWorks Career Center Cabarrus has grown into a groundbreaking workforce initiative that’s already changing lives. The Highway Construction Trade Academy…
Energy powers nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from keeping the lights on to ensuring hospitals can operate vital medical equipment. But recent natural disasters have underscored the urgent need to rethink how we plan for, diversify and…
The Town of Waxhaw has officially announced the appointment of Scott Dadson as its new Town Manager, beginning August 25, 2025. Dadson brings more than 30 years of public service experience to the role, with a proven track record in…
During August recess, members of Congress focus on engaging with constituents, participating in local events and hearing directly from the communities they represent. Centralina leveraged these district work periods to provide…
Falls are more than just a stumble; they’re a leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older, with one in four older adults experiencing a fall each year. While the statistics are sobering, there’s a hopeful message at the heart of this issue…
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has released its FY25 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity, making $1.45 billion available nationwide for communities impacted by…
This year marks a monumental milestone in our nation’s commitment to older adults: the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA). Enacted in 1965 and created in response to growing concerns about the lack of community-based services for older adults…
Statesville, N.C. – The NCWorks Career Center-Iredell, previously located at 133 Island Ford Road in Statesville, is relocating to a building in downtown Statesville. The previous location closed on Friday, August 8, 2025. The Career Center will reopen to the public on Monday, August 18, 2025, in its…
On July 1, Centralina Regional Council moved to the implementation phase of its new Strategic Plan. With that, the organization introduced the Strategic Engagement & Technical Services (SETS) department. At its core, SETS focuses on member and organizational goals and initiatives related to people, processes and policy. The realignment maximizes…
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.