February 22, 2021
Contact: Steve Lockett, Interim Executive Director
828-351-2373
Upcoming Meetings and Events
IPDC is proud to announce our 4th Annual Legislative Gathering will be held TODAY at noon on GoToWebinar. The event will feature presentations from our regional, state, and federal elected representatives.
The IPDC Board of Directors adopted the 2021-2022 Legislative Agenda for the region. This year's agenda was created by our Isothermal Regional Mayors and Chairs group, led by Mayors Carol Pritchett of Lake Lure and Scott Neisler of Kings Mountain.
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 an essential infrastructure in our region.
Webinar - Advancing Advocacy Webinar: US Census and Redistricting
What will the substantial delays in U.S. Census data and redistricting requirements mean for your municipality and local elections scheduled for 2021? Will elections be delayed? Join the NCLM on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. for another session of Advancing Advocacy, the League’s virtual meeting format covering all things advocacy, to answer those questions and more related to the census’s effects on upcoming municipal elections.
Among the topics to be explored:
Which municipalities are most likely to be affected?
What are the timelines for redistricting and election processes, and how will they affect each other?
What statutory remedies do cities already have to address these issues?
What actions could the General Assembly take?
Don’t miss out on Advancing Advocacy as we discuss this important and timely topic. Join in by registering here, and you will receive your confirmation email and instructions on how to link to this virtual event on Feb. 25. The best part: It is all free of charge. Click here for more information.
Regional News
Town of Rutherfordton Kiwanis Park Grand Opening
The Town of Rutherfordton will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting and Official Grand Opening of Kiwanis Park on February 25 at 1:00 PM. This event is an opportunity for you to be among the first to see the improvements to Kiwanis Park including better bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, new trails, an adventure playground, shelters, and a restroom.
The event is currently at capacity for in-person attendance. Rutherfordton invites you to attend virtually by tuning into their Livestream event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RutherfordBound. You can also access the Livestream by going to www.RutherfordBound.com starting at 1 pm on Thursday, February 25th.
Gateway Wellness Foundation is Looking for a Housing Initiatives Director
Gateway Wellness Foundation is seeking a dynamic, experienced housing professional to lead the Foundation’s new housing infill developments as well as the home repair program. This is an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of some of western North Carolina’s most underserved residents and fulfill the Foundation’s mission to improve the health and wellness of the residents of Burke, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford counties.
As North Carolinians respond to severe winter weather conditions, NCDHHS cautions peoplenot to use gasoline-powered generators or tools, outdoor grills and camp stoves in enclosed spaces. These devices should be used outside only and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and air vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Additional tips to stay safe:
Do not use charcoal grills or propane stoves indoors, even in a fireplace.
Never use the stove or other gas appliances to heat your home.
Do not idle your vehicle in the garage, even if the door is open. Fumes can build up quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
Install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home.
Keep rooms well ventilated.
If you experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning including dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, confusion or fainting, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical care.
Economic & Workforce Development
Leverage NC Webinar Series: Better Community Planning and Economic Development
Join Leverage NC in a four-part series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development for N.C. cities and towns. This series is led by Ed McMahon, a leading authority on topics such as the links between health and the built environment, sustainable development, land conservation, smart growth, and historic preservation.
This series will explore small-town economic development and quality of life, post-pandemic real estate and land use practices, asset-based economic development, and what to know about reviving suburbs and commercial corridors.
This workshop will examine the “secrets of successful communities.” It will explore how some communities are able to maintain their economic vitality and quality of life in a rapidly changing world, while other communities continue to lose jobs, population, and their once unique character and identity. This series will give you the tools and techniques that successful communities use to thrive! Space is limited, so register today.
Download the NCWorks Career Center App
Have you downloaded the #NCWorks app yet? Find your nearest #NCWorks Career Center or apply for job opportunities using this free app.
DEQ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund was created with the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Because the DWSRF is federally-seeded, the loans are subject to additional federal regulations regarding environmental review, outreach for disadvantaged business enterprises, payroll (Davis Bacon and Related Acts), etc.
The types of funding available are Low-interest loans (1/2 of market interest rates) and a Limited amount of principal forgiveness loans. Click here to learn more.
Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in startup funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to implement the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization. Click here to learn more.
Housing
Moratoria on Utility Shutoffs and Evictions Reduced COVID-19 Infection Rates, Duke Analysis Finds
Policies that helped financially struggling Americans stay in their homes and keep access to water and electricity during the COVID-19 pandemic also helped reduce the spread of the virus, according to a new analysis by Duke University researchers.
Eviction moratoria and relief from utility disconnections reduced COVID-19 cases by 8.2 percent from the onset of the pandemic through the end of November 2020, the authors found. The findings were published Monday as a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper.
“Staying at home, working and schooling remotely and social distancing has been critical in addressing this public health crisis,” said co-author Christopher Timmins, a professor of economics at Duke. “But complying with these measures is difficult when your home and access to water and electricity are at risk. Our analysis shows that measures to prevent evictions and utility disconnections work to reduce infections and deaths from COVID-19.”
The analysis utilized daily reports of confirmed COVID-19 infections in each of the United States’ 3,141 counties from March 1 to Nov. 28, 2020. Controlling for demographic, health, and environmental factors, the interdisciplinary research team examined how the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 was affected by policies intended to prevent evictions or shutoff of essential services such as water and electricity.
Rural Transportation
LELA 201: Top 10 Primer on Transportation Planning in North Carolina
Friday, March 19
10:00 to 11:15AM ET
From potholes to bike lanes, our transportation networks affect the quality of life in all our communities. Have you ever wondered how and when the planning for our state’s highway network takes place? As a local elected official, do you know the best way to inject your community’s transportation needs into the statewide planning process?
To many local officials, the State’s planning processes for building our paved infrastructure can seem like a true enigma. The NC Department of Transportation provides opportunities for local input through a network of planning organizations across the state; these organizations provide local governments a way to provide input into comprehensive plans for our State-administered highway system.
In this Top 10 Primer, participants will learn about the Department of Transportation structure, funding, and planning processes. The roles of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) will be explained and anticipated future statewide transportation needs will be explored.
This quick-moving interactive free virtual workshop will provide our audience a basic understanding of the policies that affect statewide transportation priorities and the avenues for making your voices heard. Some of the questions that will be answered include:
What is the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)? the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan (MTIP)? the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)?
Where can I influence the decisions?
What is the NCDOT Complete Streets Policy?
What are “locally administered projects”?
How is NC planning for future needs and changes in vehicle design technology?
Webinar - Engineering Solutions and Strategies for Safe Routes to School
On Thursday, February 25th from 2pm – 3pm ET, the Safe Routes Partnership is hosting a free training on Engineering Solutions and Strategies for Safe Routes to School.
Engineering is a fundamental component of Safe Routes to School, yet one of the trickiest to tackle. However, engineering does not have to mean big budget, long-term infrastructure projects. Small, cost-effective engineering solutions can still create meaningful change. Learn how you can implement quick, low-cost engineering solutions and strategies to improve safety and livability for students, staff, and the entire community. You will also hear about the Engineering Solutions Guide for Safe Routes to School, a new tool to help Safe Routes to School advocates, families, students, and community members understand the range of engineering strategies that can be employed and de-mystify some of the technical aspects of street design. Click here to learn more.
Thank you for subscribing to our regional newsletter!
Join Leverage NC in a four-part series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development for N.C. cities and towns. This series is led by Ed McMahon, a leading authority on topics such as the links between health and the built environment, sustainable development, land conservation, smart growth, and historic preservation.
