HCCOG Executive Board Meeting
October 19, 2020 | 7:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
Meeting registration will be emailed to all Executive Board Members. Any members of the public who are interested in joining the meeting, please email info@hccog.org for more information.
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RETOOLNC Grant Application opening soon
The Department of Administration Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) has partnered with Carolina Small Business Development Fund and the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development to establish the RETOOLNC Grant Program Fund to provide grant funds for small businesses (for-profits) adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible businesses are certified HUB and DBE firms with 50 employees or less. Grants are ONLY available to certified businesses with $1,500,000 or less in revenue, according to 2019 tax filing.
The RETOOLNC Grant application will open very soon. Applications will be reviewed in the order received until all of the available funds are exhausted. The HUB Office will notify each certified firm when the portals are open with each nonprofit. Not certified? Contact the HUB Office: hub.retoolnc@doa.nc.govor 984-236-0148.
Learn more at THIS LINK.
NC CARES for Art Grants available now
As part of the state’s spending plan for federal CARES Act funding, $9.4 million was designated to provide direct aid to arts councils and arts organizations in an effort to mitigate business disruptions caused by COVID-19. These funds will be distributed on a per-capita basis to all North Carolina counties with a population less than 1 million people.
Organizations that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply to receive CARES for Arts funding:
• Must be a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization located in North Carolina.
• Must have arts and culture in the agency’s mission statement; or must have arts and cultural programming as a core activity (25% or more of budget most recently approved before September 1, 2020).
• Must demonstrate the costs of business interruption caused by COVID-19 and/or increased expenses incurred by pandemic-related activities.
Applications can be found online at THIS LINK.
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NCMEP
Initiative for Manufacturing Innovation and Growth
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) has collaborated with NC State University to offer financial assistance to qualifying companies interested in exploring new markets through the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) Program. NCMEP provides manufacturing extension services that enhance the productivity, innovative capacity, technological performance, and global competitiveness of NC-based manufacturing firms.
View the Program Offerings here.
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NC Moves 2050 Plan Recommendations Available for Public Comment
The N.C. Department of Transportation wants your feedback for the NC Moves 2050 Plan, NCDOT’s update to the state’s long-range transportation plan. Participate by November 9 to provide comments on the recommended actions designed to provide a responsive, connected and inclusive transportation system.
Your feedback will help guide North Carolina’s future transportation policies and investments. You can learn more about NC Moves 2050 at www.ncmoves.gov.
Persons who do not speak English or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English may, receive interpretive services by calling 1-800-481-6494.
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Animal Vehicle Crashes Soar in Latest Annual NCDOT Report
The frequency of animal-vehicle crashes climbed considerably in the latest annual report from the N.C. Department of Transportation.
There was an increase of more than 2,300 crashes in 2019 over the 2018 statewide total, with the overall figure reaching 20,331 crashes.
The increase can be attributed in part to North Carolina’s continual population growth, with more drivers on the road and more development. That pushes animals — primarily deer, which account for about 90 percent of all animal-related crashes — into more opportunities for a dangerous encounter with vehicles.
North Carolina is entering the three months with the highest likelihood for such crashes. October, November and December account for half of the annual total over the past three years. Deer are more present on the roadways throughout the fall and into early winter due to the hunting and mating seasons. The NCDOT Transportation Mobility and Safety Division study shows animal-related crashes have killed five people, injured more than 2,800, and caused nearly $156.9 million in property damage over those three years.
For the 17th consecutive year, Wake County had the most animal collisions in the state with 1,023 in 2019 – an increase of 245 from the previous year and the highest total since 2013. Over the past three years, such crashes killed one person, injured 137 and caused $7.3 million in damages in the county.
Guilford County was a distant second in 2019 with 649 crashes, followed by Pitt County at 605, Randolph County at 536, and Union County at 531. Rounding out the top 10 were Mecklenburg, Duplin, Brunswick, Rockingham and Robeson counties.
Far western counties have the lowest numbers because they have the fewest drivers and roads. Graham County recorded just five animal collisions and has the bottom spot for the fifth consecutive year.
Swain, Yancey, Alleghany and Mitchell counties round out the bottom five, with just 65 crashes combined.
The most crashes occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, accounting for about 45 percent of the overall total. The end of daylight saving time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, increases the chance of deer being by roadways when drivers are traveling in the dark, especially for their evening commute.
NCDOT has some helpful tips for motorists regarding deer-vehicle crashes.
- Although it does not decrease the risk of being in a crash, wearing a seat belt gives you a better chance of avoiding or minimizing injuries if you hit a deer or other animal.
- Always maintain a safe amount of distance between your vehicle and others, especially at night. If the vehicle ahead of you hits a deer, you could also become involved in the crash.
- Slow down in areas posted with deer crossing signs and in heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening.
- Most deer-vehicle crashes occur where deer are more likely to travel, near bridges or overpasses, railroad tracks, streams and ditches. Be vigilant when passing through potentially risky landscapes.
- Drive with high beams on when possible and watch for eyes reflecting in the headlights.
- Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one deer near a road be alert that others may be around.
- If you see deer near a road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast
- Do not swerve to avoid a collision. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle, increasing the risk of it flipping over, veering into oncoming traffic, or overcorrecting and running off the road and causing a more serious crash.
If your vehicle does strike a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can be dangerous or further injure itself. Get your vehicle off the road if possible and call 911.
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October is NC Workforce Development Professionals Month!
Click on the image to read Governor Cooper's Proclamation.
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Upcoming Local Elected Leaders Academy Courses
Dates, topics, and links for course descriptions and registration are included below. As a reminder, CPLG is offering 25% registration discounts in recognition of the budget disruptions local governments continue to experience as the NC economy slowly recovers. Our continued use of virtual platforms provides wide access to these offerings. I hope you can take advantage of some of these important options to hone your local leadership skills.
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Virtual Music Therapy Caregiver Support Group
Group will be led by Wiley Smith, a board certified music therapist. This group will be using music as a way to relax, de-stress, and cope. Limited spots available, register now!
There is no fee to join this group.
To register, call Amber Chapman at 828-278-7406 or email: achapman@hccog.org.
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Furloughed?
Reduced Hours? Unemployment?
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted everyone in all walks of life. Let us help you find stability.
If you are currently unemployed or not earning enough income, and are seeking employment opportunities, contact us:
- Alleghany County - 336.372.9675
- Ashe County - 336.982.5627
- Avery County - 828.766.1385
- Mitchell County - 828.766.1195
- Watauga County - 828.265.5385
- Wilkes County - 336.838.5164
- Yancey County - 828.682.6618
- Or visit ncworks.gov
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