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Dear Friends,
I hope my message finds you and your family healthy and well.
Governor Cooper has proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognizing that one in eight women in North Carolina will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women in the United States, apart from skin cancer. While breast cancer related deaths have declined with advancements in treatment and care, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in all women and the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women.
Mammograms are the most effective screening tool to detect breast cancer early. Mammograms are X-ray pictures of your breasts that doctors use to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms can help doctors find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. However, even with regular screening mammograms, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk factors for developing breast cancer. The main risk factors for developing breast cancer include being a woman, being older (most breast cancers are found in women who are age 40 and up) and having changes in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors. They can help you decide how often to get a screening mammogram.
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.
Emma Hubacher
Office of the Governor
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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In the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer found in women, and the fifth leading cause of death in women between the ages of 20 and 59. Each year, a new group of survivors is created by the breast cancer awareness movement. Their stories inspire others and remind us that we can all make a difference. Find breast cancer resources below.
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November 8th is Election Day!
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Early voting has begun and ends on November 5th. If you need more information about polling locations, deadlines, or other voting tools for the upcoming statewide general election on November 8th, please visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
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Governor Cooper Visits State Fair
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"Can't beat the NC State Fair!" - Governor Cooper via Twitter
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Governor Cooper Proclaims Hindu Heritage Month & Diwali
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Governor Cooper celebrated Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and the Sri Venkateswara Temple in the Triangle Area
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Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed October 24th as Diwali for North Carolinians. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists across the world.
“I hope this Diwali is filled with peace, joy and prosperity for everyone, especially for our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities across the state,” said Governor Cooper. “Today is a celebration of knowledge prevailing over ignorance, good over evil and light over dark.”
The Governor participated in Diwali celebrations at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Morrisville, where he signed the proclamation proclaiming October as Hindu Heritage Month and October 24 as Diwali.
In 2017, Governor Cooper issued the first proclamation in North Carolina history to recognize and celebrate Diwali. The Governor also held the first ever Diwali celebration at the Governor’s Mansion.
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State Capitol to Host Exhibit 'Darshana: A Glimpse into Hindu Civilization', Governor Cooper visits
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Governor Cooper visited the exhibit on October 19th to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month.
The North Carolina State Capitol will host the traveling exhibit “Darshana: A Glimpse into Hindu Civilization” from Saturday, Oct. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 29.
The exhibition features a variety of topics, ranging from yoga and divinity to mathematics and administration, demonstrating how Hindu knowledge has manifested in all aspects of human endeavor.
This exhibition was created to raise awareness of Hindu thinking, contributions, and common practices. Compiled by a group of Hindu-Americans, it aims to clear misconceptions, introduce some key terms, and inspire further research into the rich culture that has found its home in the United States and globally.
Visitors to the Capitol can see this exhibit Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information on Darshana Exhibition visit https://hindudarshana.com/.
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184 State Employees Recognized with Governor’s Awards for Excellence
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“State employees are the backbone of our government. Congratulations to the 184 people who were honored with Governor’s Awards for Excellence yesterday. Thank you for your service to our state” – Governor Cooper via Twitter
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On October 25th, a record-setting 184 state employees from eight state agencies and three University of North Carolina System institutions were honored with Governor’s Awards for Excellence during ceremonies in Jones Auditorium on the campus of Meredith College.
“State employees are the backbone of our government,” said Governor Roy Cooper in video remarks delivered to honorees. “Each of you has gone beyond the scope of your job requirements to make North Carolina the best state in which to live, work, play and raise a family. Thank you for your service to our state, and congratulations on this well-deserved achievement”.
A description of each recipients winning qualities and videos that share their story is featured on the Office of State Human Resources website: https://oshr.nc.gov/2022GAE.
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State Awards $30M for Clean School Bus Replacements, Including 43 New Electric School Buses
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On October 17th, it was announced that more than $30.1 million from the N.C. Volkswagen Settlement Program will be distributed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to fund 161 new school buses across the state, with the majority of the funding going toward new all-electric school buses.
The new zero-emission and low-emission school buses are replacing some of the dirtiest diesel buses in the state, including some older than 30 years that emit more than 20 times the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter of today’s clean buses.
"Today is a good day for the health and pocketbooks of North Carolinians as we continue on our path to clean transportation," said Governor Roy Cooper. "Transitioning to cleaner school buses reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers costs to our schools, creates great manufacturing jobs and reduces pollution in our poorer communities."
The new buses will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 126 tons over their lifetimes combined. More than $16.5 million will fund 43 electric school buses and associated charging infrastructure, providing a 100% reduction in diesel emissions and greenhouse gases for these projects. NOx leads to the formation of ground-level ozone, which in turn aggravates asthma and can cause breathing trouble in young children and older adults. The small particles that make up particulate matter are linked to heart and lung conditions.
The grant recipients include public schools, charter schools and a tribal school in 84 counties. Most of the buses, 130, will be placed in rural counties. Of those, 80 school buses were awarded to schools in the 37 historically under-resourced counties that DEQ targeted for additional outreach and support during the application process. The goal of that program was to support the equitable distribution of Volkswagen Settlement funding across the state. The full list of awarded projects is on DEQ’s website. The amount of remaining funds available and information on how to apply are online.
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Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order 271 to Grow North Carolina’s Clean Energy Economy by Supporting the Market-Driven Transition to Zero-Emission Trucks and Buses
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Order will accelerate economic development and job creation in the quickly growing zero-emission vehicle sector, expand access to cleaner and more affordable vehicles and advance the state’s climate and environmental justice goals
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On October 25th, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 271 directing swift action to accelerate the state’s transition to a clean energy economy that creates good jobs and opportunities for all North Carolinians while protecting public health and the environment.
The Order positions North Carolina to benefit from the global market transition to zero-emission vans, buses and trucks by ensuring that new vehicle technologies will be available to businesses across the state and directing state agencies to pursue strategies and investments that will support the affordable, equitable and reliable growth of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market. By reducing pollution from dirty vehicles that harm all North Carolinians and especially low-income communities and communities of color, the Order will encourage economic development and job growth across the state, maximize consumer choice for small businesses and advance the state’s climate and environmental justice objectives.
“North Carolina has demonstrated that by leading the transition to clean energy we can grow our economy and create good paying jobs while reducing local pollution and confronting the climate crisis,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina is already a national hub for truck and bus manufacturing and supply chain development, and we should not miss the opportunity to lead the market-driven transition already underway to cleaner and increasingly cheaper zero-emission technologies that benefit our economy and our communities.”
The Executive Order builds on the Governor’s previous actions to grow the clean energy economy and a clean transportation future. Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality awarded more than $30 million from the Volkswagen Settlement Program to fund 161 new school buses across the state, with the majority of funding going toward new all-electric school buses. In January 2022, the Governor signed Executive Order No. 246 which established new emissions reduction and zero-emission vehicle goals and directed the state to identify pathways to achieve those goals in a manner centers environmental justice and economic opportunity including by developing the North Carolina Clean Transportation Plan.
Read the order here.
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Governor Cooper Visits Fayetteville State University and Tours Child Care Center to Highlight NC Child Care Stabilization Grants
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More than $655 Million has been Distributed to Over 4,200 Child Care Centers Across North Carolina
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On October 20th, Governor Roy Cooper visited and toured the Fayetteville State University Early Childhood Learning Center today to highlight the NC Child Care Stabilization Grants. To date, more than $655 million has been distributed to 4,200 child care facilities across the state to support and retain the early educator workforce.
“Investing in early childhood education is one of the most important things we can do for the future of our state,” Governor Cooper said. “These grants are helping provide parents with the time and flexibility to keep and obtain good-paying jobs while ensuring their children are cared for. I commend Fayetteville State University for its commitment to preparing our early childhood educators and providing high-quality early care and learning.”
Since the launch of the Child Care Stabilization Grant program, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has distributed more than $655 million to over 4,200 child care centers and family child care homes. 90% of total eligible child care programs have received grants in 99 counties. In September, NCDHHS announced it is extending the grant program that is supporting early care and learning teacher pay through December 2023. The NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education will use about $150 million in discretionary ARPA funding allocated for workforce initiatives to continue one component of the grants – compensation supports, which have helped to boost teacher pay and benefits.
This funding to support child care programs will be fully expended in October 2023.
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Governor Cooper Prays for Hedingham Victims, Calls for End to Gun Violence
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“North Carolina continues to grieve for the victims of last week’s senseless gun violence, and our hearts remain with those survivors who are enduring unimaginable pain right now” – Governor Cooper via twitter
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Governor Cooper Announces 440 New Jobs and $85 Million Investment for Scotland County as Food Processing Company Expands to North Carolina
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SO-PAK-CO, Inc., a food processor and packager, will create 440 new jobs in Scotland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced October 18th, 2022. The company will invest $85 million to build a state-of-the-art processing and packaging facility in the City of Laurinburg.
“This announcement is great news for Scotland County and our state,” said Governor Cooper. “With our manufacturing legacy, diverse workforce, and transportation infrastructure, SO-PAK-CO can confidently expand their operations here to serve even more nutritious meals to our men and women in uniform."
SO-PAK-CO, Inc. is a world leader in the design, processing, and packaging of shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals and is one of the largest suppliers of combat rations to the U.S. military. With more than 50 years in the food-processing industry, SO-PAK-CO offers turnkey food processing solutions to not only federal, state, and local agencies, but also to a growing number of commercial retail customers. SO-PAK-CO’s new state-of-the-art facility in Scotland County will increase its manufacturing capacity and is key to the company’s long-term growth, while also creating new jobs in the Laurinburg area and maintaining existing jobs in South Carolina.
“We are so pleased to be working with Governor Cooper and the State of North Carolina to establish this new world-class facility,” said Lonnie F. Thompson, President of SO-PAK-CO. “With the new Laurinburg facility, in addition to our South Carolina campuses, we will be better able to serve our existing customers while also expanding our capacity to position ourselves for growth. SO-PAK-CO is appreciative of the support we have already received from state and local partners, and look forward to making a positive impact on these economies through this project.”
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North Carolina’s Passenger Rail Service Breaks Record for Ridership
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Governor Cooper says more people rode the N.C. Department of Transportation’s intercity passenger rail service in September than any previous month in the 32-year history of the NC By Train service.
The Carolinian and Piedmont trains handled 48,488 passengers last month, which marks an increase of 32% over the average pre-pandemic monthly ridership levels from 2014 to 2019. The service is operated by Amtrak.
“It’s great to see record ridership on North Carolina’s passenger rail,” Governor Cooper said. “A strong and growing state needs efficient transportation options and it’s clear that more people are choosing NC By Train. We should continue to invest to connect our communities with high-quality passenger rail.”
NC By Train provides multiple trains throughout the day between Raleigh and Charlotte with stops in Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury and Kannapolis, as well as daily service connecting Charlotte, Raleigh and New York via the Carolinian. The service has operated since 1990.
To meet the increasing demand, NC By Train launched a fourth daily round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte in 2018, making passenger rail even more convenient for travelers seeking transportation options. NCDOT is also planning to expand its passenger rail service along the S-Line, a high-performance passenger rail corridor being developed between Raleigh and Richmond. That line will better connect rural and urban communities and increase passenger rail services with shorter travel times between North Carolina, Virginia and the Northeast.
Visit NCByTrain.org for more information and to buy tickets.
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Textile Equipment Manufacturer to Establish Global Headquarters in Rowan County with $5 Million Investment
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Fab-Con Machinery Development Corporation, a manufacturer of textile finishing equipment, will create 27 new jobs in Rowan County. The company will invest $5.3 million to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing operation to Salisbury.
“Fab-Con Machinery’s decision to create a home in Rowan County validates our reputation as the best state to do business,” said Governor Cooper. “When woven together, our state’s skilled workforce, quality of life, and textile supply chain create a foundation of success for global manufacturers like this.”
Serving the knitwear industry for more than five decades, Fab-Con designs, builds, and exports finishing machines for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, outerwear and underwear. Fab-Con has a global footprint that supports a major market share of more than 200 customers in Asia, and North, South, and Central Americas. This relocation will be the new home of the company’s global headquarters in a 90,000 square-foot facility as well as its machine manufacturing, administration, and sales operations.
A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with Fab-Con’s expansion. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.
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Governor Cooper Announces 131 New Jobs as American Woodmark Expands in Richmond County
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“Our skilled workforce and strong transportation network continue to attract companies like American Woodmark. This investment of over $35 million will bring good paying jobs to Richmond County for years to come” – Governor Cooper via Twitter
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On Tuesday, October 18th, Governor Cooper announced American Woodmark Corporation (NASDAQ: AMWD), one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of cabinets, will expand its operations in Hamlet, North Carolina creating 131 jobs in Richmond County.
"Strong rural communities like Hamlet provide manufacturing companies a great environment for expansion and growth,” said Governor Cooper. “From our skilled workforce to our superior transportation network, American Woodmark knows North Carolina well and their decision shows that we have the right ingredients for success.”
Founded in 1980, American Woodmark, with headquarters in Winchester, Virginia, became a public company in 1986. Today, the company operates 18 manufacturing and distribution centers and eight primary service centers across North America, distributing products under more than a dozen brand names across the country. American Woodmark’s expansion project in Hamlet will help the company meet growing demand, increasing the company’s finished goods production capacity for its east coast networks.
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The NC Department of Health and Human Service's Climate and Health Program has opened applications for Climate Change Adaptation in the Sandhills. All applications must be received via email by 5:00 pm ET on October 31, 2022.
Find out more information about this funding opportunity here.
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North Carolina is Aging. Will We be Prepared?
Our population is aging. Approximately 1.7 million North Carolinians are age 65 or older and that number is growing. By 2030, fully one in five will be older than 65 and for the first time ever, North Carolina will be comprised more of older adults than children.
Our state’s aging population has become a cause for concern, as the nature of urban and rural development, daily living, work, leisure and retirement are expected to change in order to keep up.
In addition to our growing metro areas, North Carolina is a rural state, with 80 of our 100 counties being outside major metropolitan areas. Approximately 2.2 million people call rural North Carolina home.
What is Age My Way NC?
Age My Way NC is a collaborative effort between the State of North Carolina and AARP NC to help identify priorities for making our neighborhoods, towns, cities, and rural areas great places for people of all ages.
Age My Way NC is surveying people 45 plus all across the state to identify priorities such as safe and walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.
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