Centralina Regional Council is proud to welcome the Town of Rockwell, North Carolina, as our newest member of the organization! Rockwell is in the southeast corner of Rowan County, within an easy drive of High Rock Lake and Uwharrie National Forest, and is situated directly on U.S. Route 52. This unique community is scenic, historical and worth a visit. 

Accommodating growth, growing economic competitiveness and achieving goals of sustainability and equity are reliant upon our ability to create livable communities that support a variety of mobility options. Mobility-friendly land use and development patterns need clear intent through land use plans and development codes, both of which occur at the local level. Read on to see our mobility-friendly communities playbook.

In NC, individuals who are “Hispanic or of Latino Origin” comprise roughly 3% of the state’s 65+ age group and are the third-largest ethnic population. In order to meet the needs of this often underserved group, Centralina Area Agency on Aging spearheaded a variety of new collaborations to reach out to the region’s Hispanic older adult population. This included hiring consultant Myra Green, a community health worker who is not only bi-lingual but is also an expert in services for older adults.

From 2017 to 2021, the City of Charlotte recorded 93 bicycle crashes involving children ages 0 to 17. This number is higher than that of any other city in the state. To protect our children and their right to ride safely, the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative (CCEEJI), an extension of the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition, successfully applied for an NCDOT grant that awarded Centralina Regional Council with 50 helmets to distribute to local youth in underserved communities.  

Read on to see how CCEEJI is putting these helmets to use in the community.

Mobility is a challenge for each of our counties, cities, towns and communities. New developments are approved every day that drive increased interest in local businesses and attractions, and on top of that, our region is home to the fifth hottest real estate market in the country. This growth can be a good thing, but it can also present many challenges for transportation infrastructure and our overall ability to get around.  

To meet these challenges, Centralina has formed the Integrated Mobility Center (IMC). Read on to learn more and get in touch.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re at our last stop on the Regional Road Trip: Iredell County! We asked our community members for tips on what to see and do – here’s what they had to say:  

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) presented their Achievement and Leadership Awards on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during an awards ceremony held at its 58th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia. Ten projects received 2024 Achievement Awards including Centralina Regional Council for its Small Towns Thrive initiative.

Acknowledging the critical role regionalism plays in bolstering local resilience and recovery, Centralina’s Regional Resilience Collaborative (RRC) aims to connect leaders and partners in the region to unite on innovative solutions. Continue reading for key topics the group discussed at its annual luncheon.

Next stop on our Regional Road Trip: Mecklenburg County! Read on to find incredible restaurant, activity and sightseeing recommendations from our member communities.

For more than 50 years, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has connected older adults and their caregivers to services that help older adults age with health, dignity and independence in their homes and communities—where they want to be! In 2024, Congress must again reauthorize this vital federal program that serves every community in the country. With the rapid growth of America’s aging population, one in five Americans are projected to be 65 or older by 2030. Learn more about how the OAA helps older adults in our region.