February 1, 2021
Contact: Scott Dadson, Executive Director
828-351-2365
Upcoming Meetings and Events
2021 ApprenticeshipNC Annual Conference
Connect and Build Your Workforce with ApprenticeshipNC!
Registration is open for the free, virtual annual ApprenticeshipNC conference, which is scheduled for April 27 and 28. During it, you will learn how ApprenticeshipNC can help you build your workforce.
Whether you already have an apprenticeship program or are interested in creating one, our presenters will show you how apprenticeship makes it easier for your business or organization to bring on new workers and advance existing employees, build employee loyalty and foster new leadership.
Each day of the conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sessions will focus on demystifying apprenticeship, expanding apprenticeship opportunities in your business, working in partnership with other employers and organizations to sustain your workforce, and more. Click here to learn more and register for the virtual annual conference.
The Isothermal Regional Commission is preparing for its 4th ever Legislative Gathering. This year's event will be, like most events a virtual event. While we are working towards in-person options, we feel we must set a virtual meeting as our Default. We are sending invitations to our membership, our partners in the region, and to our Legislative Delegation and their staff to put February 22, 2020, on their calendar now. Please be on the lookout for these emailed invitations.
The Commission Board of Directors has adopted the 2021-2022 Legislative Agenda for the Isothermal Region. This year's agenda was the result of our Isothermal Regional Mayors and Chairs Group led by Mayors Carol Pritchett of Lake Lure and Scott Neisler of Kings Mountain. This years agenda includes :
Advocacy for support to local governments in budget shortfalls due to COVID 19
Increasing Broadband Coverage, Accessibility, and Availability in our Region
Increased funding for human services to include healthcare and mental health; and,
Prioritizing Housing as essential infrastructure in our Region.
Please review this document to see what we are working on here at your Commission! Again, you can access the full document at the 2021-2022 Legislative Agenda.
Isothermal Regional Commission
Executive Director Recruitment
The Isothermal Regional Commission a regional economic and community development and human services Commission (Council of governments) is seeking an innovative, energetic, seasoned professional to serve as its next Executive Director. The Commission is headquartered in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and serves Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, and Cleveland Counties as well as 34 municipalities in those counties. The Commission is seeking a candidate with outstanding leadership, management, analytical, and communication skills. For more information about the position, Isothermal Regional Commission, and how to apply, please visit https://regionc.org/about/employment-opportunities/ Position is open until filled with First Review commencing on March 1, 2021.
Isothermal Regional Commission is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs.
Regional News
Attention Mayors, Chairs, and Clerks - Notice Regarding Board of Director Membership
The Executive Director for the Isothermal Regional Commission has sent a notice to Clerks regarding Membership on the Commission's Board of Directors. Every year, the Commission notifies the Clerks to modify, change and update the current membership to the Commission. Appointments to the Board of Directors are made by the individual members to include three (3) from each County and one each from the municipalities that are members of the Commission.
The letter and the list of current and vacant Board members can be found by clicking Letter and List.
N.C. House Committee Assignments Announced for
2021-2022 Session
Committee assignments for the 2021-2022 biennium of the North Carolina House were announced last week as the General Assembly returns to work. Isothermal regional representatives will sit on the following committees:
Kelly E. Hastings (Cleveland County) - Chair of the Appropriations, Capital Committee. Member of the Appropriations, Education - Universities, Energy and Public Utilities, Federal Relations and American Indian Affairs, Redistricting, UNC BOG Nominees, and Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Dudley Greene (McDowell County) - Member of Appropriations, Appropriations - Justice and Public Safety, Judiciary - 2, Land Use, State Personnel, and Families, Children, and Aging Policy
Jake Johnson (Polk County) - Chair of the Appropriations, Information Technology. Member of Appropriations, Commerce, Education K-12, Regulatory Reform, Wildlife Resources, and Homeland, Security, Military, and Veterans' Affairs.
David Rogers (Rutherford County) - Member of Appropriations, Appropriations - Justice and Public Safety, Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform, Judiciary - 3, Marine Resources and Aqua Culture, Redistricting, and Wildlife Resources
North Carolina Extends Modified Stay At Home Order
Executive orders for “to-go” or delivery sales of mixed beverages and evictions moratorium also extended
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen have announced that North Carolina’s Modified Stay At Home Order, requiring people to be at home from 10 pm – 5 am, will be extended. Face covering requirements and restrictions on individuals gathering in both indoor and outdoor settings are still in place. Executive Order No. 189 will be in effect through at least Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
The extension of Executive Order No. 190 allowing for the sale of “to-go” or delivery of mixed beverages will continue to help businesses that are struggling right now. The extension of Executive Order No. 191 will help families have the ability to stay in their homes, a critical component of slowing the spread of the virus.
The Executive Orders for “to-go” or delivery sales of mixed beverages and the evictions moratorium both received concurrence from the Council of State.
In addition to the Modified Stay at Home Order, the DHHS secretarial directive remains in effect. People should stay home and only leave for essential purposes such as buying food, accessing health care, and going to school or work.
UNC School of Government Coates Cannon Blog Post
May a Public Employer Require Vaccination Against COVID-19?
Every year many employers choose to require employees to undergo vaccination against seasonal influenza (flu). This year, however, a different decision will confront employers: whether to require employees to undergo vaccination against COVID-19.
The flu vaccine has been around for a long time and its side effects and efficacy are well understood. The COVID-19 vaccines—two already in use, others on the way—are new. Several of them use new methods. Government employers and employees want to know: may a public employer require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new online tool to help North Carolinians know when they will be eligible to get their vaccine. Find My Vaccine Group walks users through a series of questions to determine which vaccine group they are in. People can then sign up to be notified when their group can get vaccinated.
North Carolina’s goal is to vaccinate as many people as quickly and equitably as possible. Local vaccine providers have worked tirelessly to ramp up and vaccinate people under difficult circumstances. This past week, in response to indications that the federal government might base future allocations on the supply states, have on hand, the state and providers worked to rapidly administer vaccinations and exhaust North Carolina’s current supply of first doses.
North Carolina is currently vaccinating people in Groups 1 and 2, which include health care workers, long-term care staff and residents, and people 65 and older. Group 3 will include frontline essential workers; Group 4 will include adults at high risk for exposure and increased risk of severe illness, and Group 5 will include everyone. Detailed information about each group is online at YourShotYourSpot.nc.gov (English) or covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vacuna (Spanish).
Community, Economic, and Workforce Development
Western Community-Based Grants Initiative and Regional Leadership and Capacity Building Kick-Off Training
Join the Golden LEAF Foundation and the NC Rural Center for the Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI) and Regional Leadership and Capacity Building kick-off training on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. A link to the January 26 recording as well as the slide presentation can be found on the NC Rural Center website.
The kickoff training will provide and equip participants with information and tools to:
Understand regional economic and social data and trends
Identify regional assets and challenges, and
Build collaborative partnerships across communities, sectors, and organizations
