Webinar April 26th - SBA Resources for Restaurants
Join the US Small Business Administration’s, North Carolina District Office as we explain the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, this Monday, April 26th at 2pm. This one hour webinar is for any small business owner in the areas of food service or drink: restaurants, snack food stands, food trucks, food carts, caterers, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, coffee shops, ice cream shops, bakeries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, breweries, wineries, inns with on-site sales and a few others. We want YOU to be ready to submit your application if eligible, when the portal is open. During this hour we will cover, requirements, eligibility, application process and award amounts.
To register for the webinar click on the link below:
https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=20410048
Co-hosted by the Western Women’s Business Center and ABTech Small Business Center
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
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ARP Update from the NCLM
The U.S. Treasury issued new information on steps that all municipalities should take prior to receiving funds through the federal American Rescue Plan. They include, if you have not done so already, registering for a federal DUNS number and ensuring that your municipality has an active federal SAM registration. More information on these and other steps, including how to complete them, can be found here.
Completing these steps at your earliest convenience will help ensure that there is no delay in receiving the allocation of funds your municipality is eligible for through the ARP.
Entitlement cities through the CDBG program are expected to receive funds directly from the federal government by May 11, 2021. Non-entitlement cities should receive funds through the State of N.C. by June 11, 2021. The League and its partners at the National League of Cities are recommending that all cities, regardless of size and CDBG status, complete both the DUNS and the SAM registration processes.
Additional guidance from the U.S. Treasury on eligible expenditures of ARP funds is still forthcoming. We expect that guidance to be released prior to May 11.
Additional questions related to the ARP can be sent to the League's ARP email address.
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Hiring and Retaining Loyal, Productive Employees
Upcoming Seminars
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Governor Cooper Outlines Timeline for Lifting State’s COVID-19 Restrictions
Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. laid out a timeline for lifting current pandemic restrictions.
The key points are:
- The state expects to lift mandatory social distancing, capacity, and mass gathering restrictions by June 1.
- The Governor plans to issue an executive order next week outlining safety restrictions for the month of May.
- To date, the state has administered over 6.5 million vaccines.
- 46.9 percent of adults are at least partially vaccinated, and 35.1 percent are fully vaccinated.
- More than 76 percent of people 65 and older have had at least one shot.
- The state anticipates lifting the mask mandate and easing other public health recommendations, once two thirds of adult North Carolinians have received at least one vaccine dose and if trends remain stable.
Read more here.
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Computer Skills Resources for Job Seekers
Need help with computer skills? The following online resources can assist you as you seek to grow your computer skills.
Click the flyer to learn more.
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World Tai Chi Day - CANCELLED Due to Weather
Unfortunately, due to weather this event has been CANCELLED.
The overarching goals of World Tai Chi Day are to build community and educate the world of the profound health & healing benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong. This event is an opportunity to bring together people across all backgrounds to learn tai chi together for the purpose of health and healing. The CDC and National Institute of Medicine promote tai chi as a highly effective way to increase strength and balance in older adults as well as creating an enjoyable method of relaxation and meditation for all ages and abilities.
Feel free to reach out to Nicole Hiegl, Aging Director of the High Country Area Agency on Aging for questions: nhiegl@hccog.org
https://www.highcountryaging.org/resources/tai-chi
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Webinar: How the Pandemic is Affecting Real Estate and Land Use
April 28 at 1 p.m.
 The Pandemic is changing how and where Americans live, work, shop and move around. Many of these changes will continue after the pandemic has ended. This workshop will discuss how the pandemic is affecting real estate and land use.
This webinar is a part of Leverage NC's four-part series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development. Designed for NC 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.
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Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant | Apply by Oct. 1
 Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants will be available in North Carolina in 2021 for local park and recreation projects. Municipalities, counties, and federally recognized Native American tribes are eligible to apply for the matching grants. LWCF grants can be used to acquire new park properties and renovate or replace outdoor recreation facilities.
Local governments can request a maximum of $500,000 with each application and must match the grant dollar for dollar. About $3.5 million will be available for local government projects.
Applications are due October 1, 2021. Additional information and this year’s application are available at NC Division of Parks and Recreation website.
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May 2021 ReCOGnition
We are excited to be taking submissions for our next publication! Now is the time to feature your area's recent projects and achievements.
Please submit any ReCOGnition submissions to vpotter@hccog.org by April 30, 2021.
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A Guide to the High Country Area Agency on Aging Respite Vouchers
Amber Chapman, Family Caregiver and Health Promotions Specialist created this respite guide for folks who don’t understand the voucher program. Please share!
Respite Guide
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ARC Seeks Public Input
Appalachian Regional Commission seeking public input for 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s Strategic Plan is a series of public input sessions to help Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) identify critical opportunities and address challenges facing Appalachia’s economic future. ARC is seeking participants from all walks of community life to participate in facilitated discussions, provide ideas and ultimately help shape the investment priorities in their 2022-2026 strategic plan.
Community conversations are open to the public and free to attend, but space is limited – so register as soon as possible! For those who cannot attend, ARC is seeking input from thousands of Appalachians via this public survey.
Everyone’s input is needed to #EnvisionAppalachia. Learn more about ARC’s new strategic planning process, register for a community conversation and take the survey at arc.gov/EnvisionAppalachia.
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EDA accepting applications under Build to Scale Program
The US Economic Development Administration is accepting applications under the Build to Scale Program. The program consists of two parts – the Venture Challenge and the Capital Challenge. The Venture Challenge is designed to foster high-growth entrepreneurship, accelerate company growth, and scale proven entrepreneurship support models. The Capital Challenge is designed to increase access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply by providing operational support for early-stage investment funds, angel capital networks, or investor training programs.
Applications must be received by April 29, 2021. To learn more, please go to: https://www.eda.gov/oie/buildtoscale/
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Call for Applications - NCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative
The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications from communities for the 2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The program provides funding for municipalities across the state to develop comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans. There are several plan options available to meet specific community needs.
All North Carolina municipalities are eligible to apply for a standard bike or pedestrian plan (application). Additionally, the following options are available:
- Counties with population of less than 50,000 may apply for a bicycle or pedestrian plan.
- Smaller municipalities with populations of less than 10,000 can apply to develop combined bicycle and pedestrian plans.
- Municipalities of less than 5,000 population may apply for a project acceleration plan (application) – an abbreviated plan primarily focusing on priority project identification and implementation.
- Municipalities (and counties with populations of less than 50,000) who currently have bicycle plans and/or pedestrian plans, either through this grant program or otherwise, may apply for a plan update(application) provided the existing plan is at least five years old.
The deadline for application, to be submitted electronically, is Wednesday June 30 at 5 p.m. Award recipients will be notified by September 2021.
This program is sponsored by the department’s Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and the Transportation Planning Division. Since 2004, over $7 million have been awarded through this program to 226 municipalities and 6 counties across the state.
Proposals are divided and judged in geographical groups to help establish equitable distribution of funding across the state. The selected awardees commonly incorporate a diverse mix of municipalities from large cities to small towns.
Plans funded are not for one specific project, but represent a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given municipality. The plans may address facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that encourage safe walking and bicycling.
A webinar will be scheduled for May 12, 2021 to describe the grant program and to respond to any questions from potential applicants.
For more information on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative, contact Bryan Lopez at (919) 707-2606 or balopez@ncdot.gov
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Future Trainings/Workshops/Events
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Wilkes Spring Virtual Community Job Fairs
9:00AM - 4:00PM Each Day
- April 20-22: Business, IT, and Customer Service
- April 27-29: Health, Human Services, and Public Safety
Job Seekers and employers must register at: https://www.collegecentral.com/wilkescc/
Click the flyer to learn more.
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Connect and Build Your Workforce with ApprenticeshipNC
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Registration is open for our free, virtual annual 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., leaving you time to take care of other business in the afternoon.
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. We'll also hear from a respected North Carolina economist and a national leader in skills development.
Make plans now to attend our virtual annual conference. To register, click here. |
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Essentials for Social Services Governing Boards Webinar
August 5 – 6, 2021
Online – Zoom
We are pleased to announce the registration is opening for our Essentials for Social Services Governing Boards Webinar! This class will be offered virtually via Zoom, and will take place over two mornings. It will be held from Thursday, August 5th from 9:30 am – 12 pm and Friday, August 6th from 9:30 am – 12 pm. A recording of this class will be provided for free to all course registrants.
Registration: To register for this course, please visit the course webpage. The registration fee is $195.
Topics: Join the School of Government for the Essentials for Social Services Governing Boards Webinar, a five-hour program spread over two days that will serve as an orientation for social services governing boards.
Topics to be covered include: Where social services governing boards fit into the human services framework in North Carolina; partners at the state level; legal powers and duties of the social services governing board; liabilities of board members; the business of working as a board; how your board can best support your agency and community; and the professional associations, state agencies, and networks that work with county agencies. This webinar will be available on-demand after the live airing.
Materials: Course materials will be provided online on the course webpage.
Faculty coordinator: Aimee Wall at wall@sog.unc.edu
For more information: Contact Rachel Mintel, program associate, at mintel@sog.unc.edu
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