|
|
Dear Friends,
I hope my message finds you and your family healthy and well.
On behalf of Governor Cooper and the entire administration, Happy Holidays! We hope you have a joyous Holiday season and a happy and peaceful New Year.
Please share our newsletter so your friends and family can stay up to date with the latest news, information, and resources relevant to the Cooper Administration.
Stephanie Pigues
Office of the Governor
|
|  |
|---|
|
|
|
|
Tree Lighting Ceremony Returned to NC Capitol December 9
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
"As we light the Christmas tree, keep in your hearts the holiday spirit, generosity, joy and kindness."
-Governor Roy Cooper
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
Christmas at the NC Executive Mansion
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
Application Period Closing Dec. 17 for HOPE Rent and Utility Assistance Program
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
More than $744 million awarded to help North Carolina families
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
The application period for the Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, with available federal funding committed to applications currently in-process and those expected in the week ahead. Since opening in October 2020, HOPE has promoted housing stability during the pandemic by providing rent and utility assistance to North Carolina families financially impacted by COVID-19. To date, the program has awarded $744 million to help 148,939 households. Of that amount, $585 million has already been paid directly to landlords and utility companies statewide.
The U.S. Department of Treasury recently ranked the HOPE Program as No. 3 in the nation for number of households served, while North Carolina overall ranked No. 6 for the spending of federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) money. Several other states have also announced closure of their ERA programs, including Texas and Oregon. Due to a substantial increase in applications since the Thanksgiving holiday, the HOPE Program now expects to exhaust funds in the coming weeks and is closing intake to ensure that eligible applications received by the deadline will be awarded financial assistance.
“The HOPE Program has worked diligently to reach as many applicants as possible and has been watching the application volume carefully,” said Director Laura Hogshead of the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency, which administers the HOPE Program. “We’ve seen a substantial increase in applications since the Thanksgiving holiday. As a result, the application period is closing sooner than expected to ensure eligible applicants who apply by the deadline will get the help they need.”
Renters experiencing financial hardship in the 88 counties served by HOPE are encouraged to apply at www.HOPE.NC.gov or by calling 888-ASK-HOPE (888-927-5467) by this Friday, Dec. 17. HOPE applications already under review and new applications submitted by the deadline will be processed, with awards to be paid on behalf of eligible applicants.
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
NCDHHS Announces New Program to Help Families Pay Water Bills
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the State of North Carolina has been awarded more than $38 million in federal funding to establish a new water assistance program for households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning Wednesday, eligible households that have had their water services cut off or have received notice that their water services are in danger of being cut off can apply for assistance in paying their bill through a new federal program called the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services. The program provides a one-time payment for eligible low-income households directly to the utility company. LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds run out.
"Due to the pandemic and its impact on our economy, many households are struggling to maintain their water service," said Tara Myers, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Employment, Inclusion and Economic Stability. "The LIHWAP program will help families in North Carolina keep their water running, a basic human need that’s critical for good sanitation and better health."
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
Governor Cooper Announces Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 574 New Jobs and More Than $95 Million in Private Investment
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority approves more than $4.1 Million in Funding
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 16 grant requests to local governments totaling $4,130,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 718 jobs, 144 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $95 million in private investment.
“Our rural communities are the backbone of our state,” Governor Cooper said. "The effects of the pandemic have been profound, but our people are resilient and these grants will stimulate economic growth through building reuse and other infrastructure."
The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s team of rural economic development professionals supports the RIA’s work. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.
“These grants allow us the opportunity to unite good businesses with good people,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “While businesses will benefit from access to our high-quality workforce, our rural communities will expedite their post-pandemic economic recovery through the creation of hundreds of well-paying jobs and millions in private investment.”
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
Small Business 101 Workshop
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration invites you to attend the virtual “USDA Small Business 101 Workshop” to be held on January 11th and 12th, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST and 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST, respectively. The workshop is designed to provide businesses, unfamiliar with Federal contracting, in rural and underserved areas the information, tools, and resources available to increase their access to Federal procurement opportunities. Discussions will primarily focus on an introduction to business requirements and USDA’s effort to expand procurement opportunities to small, rural, minority, women, veteran, and other disadvantaged businesses.
The “USDA Small Business 101 Workshop” will also serve as an opportunity to network with other small businesses, partners and stakeholders including local, state, Federal and tribal governments, land-grant universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, national development organizations, Small Business Development Centers, Chambers of Commerce, non-profit organizations, community based organizations, faith leaders, veterans groups, community lending groups, and other organizations focused on supporting and growing businesses across the country. Our goal is for every small and disadvantaged business that participates in the “USDA Small Business 101 Workshop” to develop critical local, regional, and Federal relationships to expand their business network and to walk away with at least three (3) action items that will move them closer to accessing Federal procurement opportunities.
Please mark your calendars to participate in the “USDA Small Business 101 Workshop.” Part I of the event will be held January 11, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST, and Part II will be held on January 12, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm EST. We look forward to listening, learning, and working with you as we strive to provide opportunities to this Country’s engine of economic growth, our small businesses.
Registrations are due by 5:00 pm EST on Monday, January 10, 2022.
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
| | |
|
State Agencies Now accepting Applications for Summer 2022 Student Internships
|
|
Application deadline in January 3, 2022
|
Beginning this week, college students can apply for one of nearly 100 internships across multiple North Carolina state government agencies. Governed by the NC Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement, the annual North Carolina Internship Program offers a 10-week, paid internship for college students interested in careers in state government.
“This internship program is an excellent steppingstone for college students interested in a public service career,” said Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “For more than 50 years, the program has been instrumental in bridging lessons learned in the classroom to hands on professional work experience.”
|
| |
|---|
|
|
|
