Cooler air and the region’s first snow fall have officially ushered in the holiday season! After you’ve hung your wreath and written your wish list, get to know the region better by visiting the many sites and events that make this time of year feel extra warm and fuzzy. Centralina staff has a few recommendations to help you get started:

The commission will be charged with identifying duplicative programs, functional inefficiencies and unnecessary regulations. Reported first steps include targeting federal spending not authorized by Congress and trimming the workforce by requiring federal employees to work in the office five days a week and by offering early retirement incentives.

The deadline for local governments to obligate funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA or SLFRF if State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds ) is December 31, 2024. Local governments may not have completely spent their allotment; however, all units of government must obligate their entire allotment by the deadline through their grant project ordinance (GPO).

Like many NCWorks events, Fall Fest showcased a blend of traditional job-hunting activities that appealed to a diverse audience of students. This job fair specifically catered to senior students on the brink of graduation, helping them explore career opportunities and prepare for the transition out of college.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.

City of Gastonia’s “Farm to Table – Cultivating Opportunity” began as a proposal for a Dominion Energy grant that would bring together three unique organizations in order to serve a single cause: reducing the barriers to healthy food through community collaboration.

Read on to learn how.

Albemarle’s Project Next Step is a summer program designed to improve students’ access to innovative learning strategies and engage local students in quality, interactive enrichment opportunities with Stanly County Community College. By integrating academic enrichment with real-world experiences, the program was able to broaden the horizons of many Albemarle Middle School students and prepare them for future academic success. 

In response to the North Carolina Helene Disaster Declaration, Centralina Regional Council has partnered with High Street Consulting to provide expert guidance on the intricate and challenging post-disaster Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance recovery process.

Strategic planning is necessary for any organization’s success, but going through the process can be daunting and demanding for local government staff. As part of Centralina’s meeting facilitation services, we offer help with strategic planning that will reenergize your staff and encourage productive discussions to ensure your goals are met.

Since 2019, state legislation has required that municipalities hoping to enforce zoning regulations have and maintain a land use plan. Land use plans capture the vision, values and goals of a community in order to create a strategic direction that guides planning decisions.