We are in the early stages of planning the May 2010 conference and are interested in hearing your ideas about topics or training that can be addressed in a conference setting. Save the date: the conference is planned for May 26-28 in Asheville, NC. We also need volunteers to serve on the committees that will plan and manage the conference. If you have suggestions and/or want to help with the conference, please contact Karen Kennedy or call 919-775-8238.
Stimulus Funding Reporting Deadlines Will Be Here Soon: Are You Ready? Has your local government received or applied for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding? If so, do you know that the window for submitting reports on any ARRA funds you've received is October 1st through October 10, 2009?
The NC Office of Economic Recovery and Investment (OERI) has established a Housing and Homelessness Prevention Work Group. One purpose of this Work Group is to facilitate the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Homelessness Prevention Program (HPRP). View the preliminary application package for more information.
For conference registration and membership information:
Debora Steenson, Blue Star Services Management Consultant
NCCDA
C/O Blue Star Services
1829 East Franklin Street, Suite 600
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
manager@nccda.net (email)
919.418.1325 (phone)
919.278.2647 (fax)
President Yvonne Gibbs' Message
November 2009Your NCCDA Board of Directors is working hard to stay abreast of the latest community and economic development issues around the State. We also continue to pursue "New Directions", the long-range NCCDA Strategic Plan developed in 2008. Currently NCCDA is working to:
- Manage the transition of NCCDA from an affiliate of the NC League of Municipalities to a Self-Supporting Organization
- Strengthen the membership base of NCCDA
- Enhance the advocacy role of NCCDA through member communication and web updates
- Provide cohesive and timely training and professional development opportunities
As always, your NCCDA Board welcomes your input and suggestions. Our goal is to provide you, our membership, with the best possible training, advocacy and networking opportunities.
Our Recent Progress
Transition Management
The transition of NCCDA from the League of Municipalities to a Self-Supporting Organization is moving along successfully. We are happy to announce that Blue Star Services, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has contracted with us to provide administrative services. We welcome Debora Steenson to the role of Management Consultant. She is helping the organization run smoothly in terms of membership management, financial administration, and event planning. Debora can be reached at manager@nccda.net.
The NCCDA Past President and Current President visited the League in September 2009 to complete a final review of our financial records with no concerns noted. The Transition Team will continue to build a strong structure for NCCDA as a Self-Supporting Organization.
Strengthening our Membership
In the interest of building a strong membership foundation, the Membership Committee is working to identify inactive NCCDA members, update contact information, and advocate the benefits of NCCDA membership to community and economic development professionals.
Membership renewal forms were mailed out in September and October. If you did not receive a membership renewal form, or if you're interested in joining NCCDA, please download the membership form (pdf).
Training and Professional Development
Recently, NCCDA held its 30th annual Spring Conference, "Preparing for Stimulus Funding", in Wilmington, North Carolina. Highlights of the two-day event included:
- Officials from HUD, NC Department of Commerce, The NC Rural Center, and USDA provided funding updates, including the status of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding.
- The North Carolina Division of Community Assistance announced the availability of Small Cities Community Development Block Grant ARRA Funding.
- CDBG staff provided rehabilitation professionals with specialized training. Topics included Davis Bacon implementation and acquisition and relocation guidance.
- Grant representatives provided step-by-step application guidance for two new Recovery Act programs: Homelessness Prevention Fund and Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Part II.
Due to tight travel budgets throughout the state and added economic recovery workload placed on community development practitioners this year, the Training Committee did not organize a fall training event, but instead is focusing attention on the 2010 Spring Conference, tentatively scheduled for May 25-27, 2010 in Western North Carolina. The Committee is developing another strong agenda featuring focused tracks and timely agency updates.
Is there a topic you would like to see addressed this spring? Please email your requests to Karen Kennedy, Chair of the Training Committee, at karen.kennedy@sanfordnc.net, and stay tuned for more information about the 2010 NCCDA Spring Conference.
Advocacy
Understanding and responding to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was one of the biggest challenges NCCDA members faced in 2009. NCCDA has been posting updates on ARRA funding to the website, including several new links posted here and under the News and Events heading:
- UNC School of Government Guide to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding for North Carolina Governments (pdf document)
- UNC School of Government Webinar on ARRA Reporting
- NC State Treasurer's Office Webinar on ARRA Recovery Bond Financing (click on "Webinar on Recovery Zone Bonds From October 22, 2009")
We also would like to thank our Spring 2009 conference sponsors:
