Reminder/Resources: ARPA Report Due April 30
Here's one last reminder that Project & Expenditure Reports for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding are due this Saturday, April 30. This report is required regardless of whether your jurisdiction has spent its ARPA funds or has a plan for how to spend them.
Some available resources include:
FRC member governments in need of assistance in this process can contact Mackenzie Wicker via email at mwicker@foothillsregion.org. FRC also is seeking to ascertain future ARPA-related needs of our member governments through a brief survey, which can be completed here.
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This Week's Wins
Here are some things worth celebrating this week at Foothills Regional Commission and in our region.
- The Town of Lake Lure has hired a new town manager. Hank Perkins is slated to take up the role in early June. He will be coming from his position as town manager of Lewisville, where he has served for the last decade. In an email informing North Carolina city and county managers of the move, Mr. Perkins said, "Lake Lure is a great place and I am happy to be given the opportunity to serve the community." Congrats to Lake Lure and welcome to the region, Mr. Perkins!
- The Don Gibson Theatre in The City of Shelby was featured in the May 2022 edition of Our State magazine—with a full page photo and blurb—as part of a photo essay titled "North Carolina in Neon." Check out the essay and beautiful photos here.
Got a "win" for the region or FRC that you'd like to see celebrated? Send it to Mackenzie Wicker at mwicker@foothillsregion.org to have it included in our next newsletter.
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Funding Opportunity: BCBS of NC Foundation
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation has issued a funding opportunity to support up to five regional and state-level organizations to work with local stakeholders to support community-identified ARPA priorities at the county and municipal level to promote health equity and system-level change that breaks down barriers to good health. Details are available here.
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Funding Opportunity: EDA Build to Scale
The US Economic Development Administration has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Build to Scale (B2S) program, comprised of two national competitions. The Venture Challenge seeks to support high-growth, technology-centric entrepreneurship. The Capital Challenge increases access to entrepreneur-ready, equity-based capital by providing operational support for early-state investment funds, angel networks, and investor training programs. Applications due: June 13, 2022.
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Good Read: Design-Build Contracting with ARPA Funds
The UNC School of Government Coates' Canons law blog has another great read regarding ARPA funds. This one explains how the General Assembly's adoption of a session law in December 2021 opened a limited window for units of local government to consider using a design-build construction delivery process when expending ARPA/Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. You can read it here.
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Vaccinations for Homebound North Carolinians
Are you unable to leave home and get your vaccine or do you know someone in this position?
To slow the spread of COVID-19 and help North Carolinians protect their communities and families, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has begun a statewide initiative to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to people who stay at home because of limited mobility.
Anyone in North Carolina who finds it hard to get out and needs the free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccine may call 866-303-0026 for this service. Foothills Area Agency on Aging is the local NCDHHS partner for this initiative in our region.
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Upcoming Events
- *HAPPENING TODAY*: Foothills Region Digital Inclusion Plan Kick-Off - April 28, 10 a.m. Please contact James Ayers with questions via email at jayers@foothillsregion.org or by phone at 828-447-1367. If you would like to be added to the Digital Inclusion Plan mailing list, please email Mackenzie Wicker at mwicker@foothillsregion.org.
- *HAPPENING TODAY*: Virtual Retirement Planning Conference for Local Gov. Employees - (Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk counties) - April 28, 9:30 a.m. Great for anyone 0-5 years from retirement or for employees who just want to learn more about the retirement system. Register here.
- ARC Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow: Jackson County, NC - May 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. A virtual event; stop #2 in a 5-part series. Specifically focused on "Preserving and Promoting Appalachia's Culture and Tourism." Details and registration here.
- Creating Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces - May 5,10 a.m.-1 p.m. with a lunch break. WCU at Biltmore Park, Asheville. Free workshop. Register or seek additional info by emailing Bob Boylan at rcboylan@wcu.edu with your name, job title, and the jurisdiction you are representing. Registration ends Thursday, April 28, or when the class reaches capacity (55 attendees).
- Appalachian Health Leadership Forum - May 6, 10 a.m.-May 7, 2:30 p.m. Hear from national thought leaders on board governance best practices and how to effectively address social determinants of health in your community. More info and registration here.
- Caregiving: Planning for the Future of Your Loved One (and You!) - May 11, 1-4:30 p.m. at Tryon United Methodist Fellowship Hall,195 New Market Rd, Tryon. FRC Area Agency on Aging event. To register, call Tryon United Methodist Church 828-859-9218 with your name, phone number and email address. Leave a message if your call goes to voicemail. Attendance is limited to 30, so please cancel if you will not be able to attend. A waiting list will be created once capacity is met.
- 2022 Watch for Me NC Workshop Modules - Monthly May 11 through Sept. 14. Virtual workshops for anyone interested in pedestrian and bicyclist safety, especially Watch for ME NC community members. More information and registration here.
- NC Community Tree Webinar: Examples of How Trees are Used in Storm Water Control Measures - May 18, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Details and registration here.
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