Given the complexity of the guidelines and opportunities for creative solutions, Centralina is launching a series of peer to peer chats to facilitate exchange among local governments on approaches to spending plan development and implementation of projects in the eligible use categories. Share your ideas, learn from others and ask questions in these quick, 30 min virtual chats.
On June 30 and July 1, local pandemic recovery stakeholders across the state came together to present âAmerican Rescue Plan Act: Regional Informational Sessions for Local Government.â Besides reviewing Governor Roy Cooperâs proposed ARP budget, speakers provided information on varying topics about ARP funding.
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.
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 participantsâ relationships with grant funders to increase their organizationsâ grant revenue.
Since the 1950âs, many federal and state agencies have relied on the Census Bureauâs determination of urban areas to deliver funds, set standards and accomplish goals and objectives. The Census Bureau re-evaluates urban determination criteria with each Census year to ensure fair standards. On February 19, 2021, the Census Bureau published a notice in the Federal Register of newly proposed criteria for determining urban areas under the 2020 Decennial Census.
As part of the Centralina Learns local government training series, Centralina Regional Council partnered with the UNC Charlotte MPA Public Management Academy to give a sample of what they have to offer participants. The webinar, Building Budget Champions, pulled information from the Academyâs The Power of Data for Managers session, which features budget and resource strategies.
Professor Jim Douglas provided best practices on how to advocate for and secure resources in a competitive environment.
Census 2020 has wrapped and under normal circumstances, the data used for redistricting would be released to the states and the public this spring. COVID-19 has caused significant delays, however, pushing out the delivery date of the statutorily required delivery of the PL 94-171 data to Sept. 30, 2021. This delay affects the usual 16-week timeframe that communities have to adjust their boundaries before local elections begin.
At its October meeting, the Regional Managers Group had a virtual, focused conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in local governments.
The health and economic crises, triggered by COVID-19, has had profound short-term impacts, some of which have been felt universally and others unequally. As we continue to respond to the public health crisis, it is critical to set ourselves on path for recovery that also addresses long standing racial and economic inequalities across our region.
The deadline to respond to Census 2020 is now earlier than initially planned and set for September 30, 2020.