November 16, 2020
Contact: Scott Dadson, Executive Director
828-351-2365
Upcoming Meetings and Events
IPDC Housing Department HUD PHA Plan Review
Notice of Public Meeting on November 18
As a Public Housing Authority (PHA), IPDC is required by HUD to complete a PHA Plan. The PHA Plan is a comprehensive guide to public housing agency policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals.
Section 511 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 requires the Board of Directors of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission to conduct a public hearing to discuss and invite public comment regarding the 2020-2025 PHA Five-Year and Annual Plan. The hearing is to be conducted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 at 3:00 PM. The hearing will be held in person and virtually. In-person will be held at IPDC's main office, 111 West Court Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. To join the meeting virtually, please contact Tammy Phillips at tphillips@regionc.org for the Zoom link.
The proposed Five-Year and Annual Plan and information relevant to the public hearing to be conducted is available for inspection by the public online, please click here to view it, or at IPDC’s main office, 111 West Court Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 during normal business hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Questions or comments should be directed to Pam Hall, Interim Director of Housing, (828) 287-2281, ext 266.
Regional News
Local Government Leadership Credit Fellows Accepting Applications
The Local Government Leadership Credit Fellows Program through the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government is accepting applications. The program will enable up to 15 individuals to become a cohort through the 2-week virtual program and learn more about their leadership strengths in order to develop the next generation of local government leaders. Applications are due by December 2. To apply or learn more, click here.
NCDHHS Releases New Guidance for Thanksgiving Celebrations, Black Friday Shopping
The North Carolina DHHS released new guidance for Thanksgiving celebrations and Black Friday shopping to help North Carolinians gauge the risks, protect their friends and loved ones, and slow the spread of COVID-19.
If people do plan on traveling or gathering, they should consider having a screening COVID-19 test three to four days ahead of time. A screening test can help someone know if they have COVID-19 even if they do not have yet to have symptoms. However, a screening test can miss some infections. Furthermore, a negative test only gives you information for that point in time. Screening tests are available at state-funded community testing events. Call ahead to other testing sites to see if they offer screening tests at their locations. Community testing events and other testing sites are listed online at ncdhhs.gov/testingplace.
People who have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been around a person with COVID-19, should not host or participate in any in-person gatherings until they complete their isolation or quarantine period.
For a full list of guidance about traveling and gathering during the holidays, along with a chart outlining low, medium, and high-risk activities, see the NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Thanksgiving Holiday.
During Black Friday, it is strongly recommended individuals do not participate in any traditional Black Friday shopping where customers gather in large groups waiting for the store to open or are in crowded stores for extended times.
Any large gathering of people poses an increased risk of spreading COVID-19. People at high risk for COVID-19 complications should limit in-person shopping. And people who have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19, have COVID-19 like symptoms, or who have been exposed to COVID-19, should not shop in person until their isolation or quarantine period is over.
Individuals who do shop in person should follow the 3Ws and remember stores are limited to 50 percent capacity. For further Black Friday guidance, including step-by-step tips for how to reduce risk while shopping, see the NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Black Friday Shopping.Open PDF
McDowell County Transit Receives Recognition for their Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic
On November 5th, 2020, Transportation Secretary Boyette sent a letter thanking McDowell County Transit for their work during the pandemic. Specifically, the Secretary noted the partnership between McDowell County Transit, McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH), and the Foothills Food Hub to provide meals to homebound individuals.
Secretary Boyette also recognized Amy Stevens, MATCH/TRPA, and Alecia Morgan, McDowell County Transit for their communication, community outreach, and successful program implementation!
Isothermal RPO would like to add our congratulations and thanks to these organizations doing great work during difficult times.
Aging
Medicaid Managed Care open enrollment will begin March 15, 2021
NCDHHS has announced the launch of NC Medicaid’s enrollment website, www.ncmedicaidplans.gov, in preparation for the launch of Medicaid Managed Care scheduled for July 1, 2021. Medicaid Managed Care open enrollment will begin March 15, 2021, and will continue through May 14, 2021.
The purpose of the enrollment website is to help Medicaid beneficiaries learn more about Medicaid Managed Care. In 2015, the NC General Assembly enacted legislation directing NCDHHS to transition Medicaid and NC Health Choice from a primarily fee-for-service delivery system to managed care. Under managed care, the state contracts with insurance companies, which are paid a predetermined set rate per enrolled person to provide all services.
The enrollment website provides information about who will have to choose a health plan, who will stay in the traditional Medicaid program (NC Medicaid Direct) and who can choose between the two. It will also share the basic medical and behavioral health benefits that are offered. There will be a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help beneficiaries understand the changes.
Most people currently receiving Medicaid benefits will need to enroll in Medicaid Managed Care. Medicaid beneficiaries will be able to choose from five health plans — WellCare, United HealthCare, Healthy Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas and Carolina Complete Health (serving regions 3, 4 and 5). Those who are federally recognized tribal members or qualify for Indian Health Services are exempt from managed care. Those who live in Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson or Swain counties or in a neighboring county may choose to enroll in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Option.
A small number of people will not need to choose a Medicaid Managed Care health plan because of the type of health services they need. They will stay enrolled in NC Medicaid Direct. To learn more, beneficiaries can visit the NC Medicaid Direct services page on the enrollment website.
Beginning Thursday, November 12, full-service restaurants will be eligible to apply to the Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief (MURR) Program. Restaurants may only request direct payments for up to four months of rent or mortgage interest - restaurants will not be eligible for utility cost reimbursement. Restaurants may request payments for up to $20,000 per location, for no more than two locations, and must employ fewer than 50 people at the location where they are seeking assistance. To learn more, please click here.
EDA invites Applications for Economic Development Grant Opportunities
The EDA invites applicants to submit applications under its Public Works program and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Through these programs, EDA invites applications to request grant assistance for clearly defined construction or non-construction assistance projects that will advance job creation, job retention, and private investment or enhance economic development decision-making, respectfully.
EDA’s grant programs construction may support the construction of new public assets or the renovation of existing public assets, which include but are not limited to water/sewer lines, tanks, systems, pumps; incubators; access roads; rail spurs; workforce training facilities; commercialization centers; port improvements; and other similar projects. EDA’s non-construction projects can support a wide array of activities, including highest and best use analysis, cluster and supply chain mapping studies, and regional technical assistance projects. Matching share funds are required and must be committed at the time of the project and for the same scope of work. For Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs, the match is generally 50 percent, although communities may qualify for a higher grant rate. To learn more, please click here.
EDA SPRINT Challenge to address Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites applicants to submit applications under the recently announced SPRINT Challenge. Through this national challenge, EDA will award up to $25 million for projects, either in the amounts of $500,000 for 12-month projects or $750,000 for 18-month projects from eligible organizations working to rapidly address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic through entrepreneurship and innovation. Applications are due Thursday, December 3, 2020. Click here to learn more.
Applications Now Open: 2021 Safe Routes to Parks Activating Communities
Safe Routes to Parks is a movement to make great parks safer and easier for people to access by walking, bicycling, and taking public transportation, especially in low-income communities and communities of color, where less investment has gone into the routes to and the amenities in parks.
The Safe Routes to Parks Activating Communities program provides tailored technical assistance, along with a $12,500 award for seven nonprofit organizations to develop and initiate action plans to increase safe and equitable access to parks and green space in their communities. Click here to learn more. Applications are due on December 18.
Playground Grant Funds Available from GameTime
GameTime is accepting applications from U.S. communities to provide up to 100% of the cost of playground equipment to support active play for children and communities. Any parks department, school, nonprofit, or other youth organization is eligible for playground equipment from GameTime. To be eligible, applications must be submitted by November 17, 2020. Click here to learn more.
ARC's Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center offers free resources for nonprofits navigating the COVID-19 crisis.
Free Resources Available to Help Regional Nonprofits Meet COVID Related Challenges
This week, ARC's Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center (ANRC) began offering expertly curated resources on financial management, sustainable operations, fundraising, and other tools free of charge. Although the resource directory is primarily responsive to the specific needs of Appalachian nonprofits during the COVID crisis, the materials are available to any user, and will be continually updated throughout 2021. This month, ANRC will begin intensive training and coaching to 105 nonprofits from 12 Appalachian states on how to overcome operational and management challenges during the COVID crisis.
Program development for the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center was informed by discussions and focus groups with regional nonprofit leaders, and an internal survey of select ARC grantees which found that nonprofits were especially concerned about short-term and long-term financial health of their organizations during the COVID crisis.
This week marks the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week as sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week in Appalachia
According to the US Department of Labor, 94 percent of apprentices retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program. With ARC support, apprenticeship opportunities are available across Appalachia in manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and other sectors to prepare students, dislocated workers, and people recovering from substance abuse disorders for sustainable careers.
For instance, in Kentucky, the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) has stood up an intensive, advanced training apprenticeship program in cyber-security with industry leaders and created nearly 400 tech positions in the Region. Meanwhile, the Appalachian Artisan Center (ACC) is building a recovery ecosystem in eastern Kentucky by providing apprenticeships to aspiring luthiers, and working with hundreds of others to develop marketable skills in craftmaking as part of their recovery process.
In Mississippi, the Excel Nurse Assistant Program has developed a practical apprenticeship program to increase the number of Certified Nursing Assistants in Chickasaw county, and the Communiversity at East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) offers apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing to prepare workers for careers in automotive and aerospace sectors.
Student apprenticeship programs are also popping up in New York where Dream It Do It Western New York is developing apprenticeships in manufacturing for high schoolers; while in Maryland, Western Maryland Works is partnering with the Allegany College of Maryland Continuing Education Program to coordinate apprenticeships in manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
The Advanced Welding Workforce Initiative (AWWI) trains workers in manufacturing, aviation, automotive, and petrochemical industries while the INSPIRE Initiative aims to strengthen the Region's recovery-to-work ecosystem.
Applications Close Tomorrow, Friday November 13, for INSPIRE and AWWI Initiatives
Tomorrow is the last day to submit an application for INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE), a $10 million initiative to address the Region’s substance abuse crisis by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem leading to workforce entry or re-entry Awards made via the INSPIRE Initiative will support the post-treatment to employment continuum, which could include investments in healthcare networks that support substance abuse recovery professionals, recovery-focused job training programs, as well as initiatives designed to coordinate, or link, recovery services and training that support the recovery ecosystem, among others.
Tomorrow is also the last day to apply for the Advanced Welding Workforce Initiative (AWWI). to expand the high-tech workforce serving the region’s energy generation industry, as well as growing aerospace, aviation, automotive and petrochemical industries. With a new generation of welders to manufacture in advanced coal- and natural gas-fueled electric generating stations, AWWI will help prepare individuals for high paying jobs and drive the region’s economic development forward.
North Carolina State Survey on Apprenticeship Programs is now Available
Travel Trends in North Carolina Since the Beginning of COVID-19
Graph 1: COVID19 Average Weekly Change in Travel in NC
NCDOT has been tracking travel trends since the beginning of COVID restrictions, back in March 2020. Back in Week 4 & 5 (weeks March 29-April 11, 2020), there was a 41% reduction. In recent weeks, travel has recovered and is hovering between -3% -3% of travel, pre-COVID.
Graph 2: COVID19 Change in Travel in NC - Select Weekly Patterns
This chart shows how the weekly traffic pattern has changed, since the beginning of COVID-19. Pre-Emergency (Pre EM) shows the typical pattern of travel through the week, with the lowest amount of travelers on Sunday and a peak on Friday. Week 5 shows that there were fewer travelers and the pattern changed, with travel steeply dropping off after Thursday. Week 34 (10/25/2020) shows a return to the pre-emergency travel, though with a drop-off of travel during the week. This is likely due to workers who are still working from home.
Graph 3: COVID19 Change in Travel in NC - Monthly VMT (1000s) As of 10/31/20
This chart shows the reduction in actual vehicle miles traveled since March 2020, over the forecast for 2020. Every month shows a reduction in travel though it has been improving since June. However, the cumulative trend (gold line) shows that there have been 16 million miles fewer miles traveled since March. Given that the average fuel economy of a passenger car is 25.5 (EPA, 2020) and remembering that this travel includes freight vehicles (generally less fuel-efficient), this means a minimum loss of $270 million in fuel taxes.
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new guidance for Thanksgiving celebrations and Black Friday shopping to help North Carolinians gauge the risks, protect their friends and loved ones, and slow the spread of COVID-19.
