AnnualReport

2009

2010

The Council membership consists of the region’s sevencounty governments and nineteen municipalities. Onedelegate is appointed by each respective localgovernment to serve as a member of the Council’sExecutive Board of Directors.

The Board also includes a minority representative. TheExecutive Board conducts monthly meetings, whichare open to the public, to address opportunities, needs,and problems of importance to the regional community.

Board of Directors

OfficersRichard Blackburn ChairmanRobert Johnson Vice-ChairWilliam Winkler, III TreasurerGary Blevins Secretary

Alleghany County Ken RichardsonTown of Sparta John Miller

Ashe County Richard BlackburnTown of Jefferson Dana TugmanTown of Lansing Jason RingTown of West Jefferson Tom Hartman

Avery County Kenny PoteatTown of Banner Elk Brenda LyerlyTown of Beech Mtn. Rick MillerTown of Crossnore Tudor VanceTown of Elk Park Joel WhitleyTown of Newland Valerie JaynesVillage of Sugar Mtn. Gunther Jochl

Mitchell County Patrick PhillipsTown of Bakersville Charles VinesTown of Spruce Pine Phillip Hise

Watauga County William Winkler, IIITown of Blowing Rock J.B. LawrenceTown of Boone Loretta ClawsonTown of Seven Devils Richard DeMott

Wilkes County Gary BlevinsTown of N. Wilkesboro Robert L. JohnsonTown of Ronda Victor VarelaTown of Wilkesboro Sam Stroud

Yancey County Walter SavageTown of Burnsville Danny McIntosh

Minority Representative Paul Robinson, Jr.

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Bakersville

SprucePine

WestJefferson

Jefferson

Lansing

SevenDevils

BlowingRock

Boone

Burnsville

Regional Cooperation

Sparta

ElkPark

Newland

BeechMtn.

Crossnore

SugarMtn.

BannerElk

RondaNorthWilkesboro

Wilkesboro

The Council promotes regional

cooperation and provides services

and resources which might not

otherwise be affordable or

available to local

governments.

Ashe Alleghany

Avery

Mitchell

WataugaWilkes

Yancey

Regional Administration& Planning

The High Country Council ofGovernments (HCCOG) is designatedby both state and federal govern-ments as the official agency for theadministration of various funds andprograms. High Country COG is aLocal Development District of theAppalachian Regional Commission,an Economic Development Dis-trict of the U.S. Department ofCommerce’s Economic DevelopmentAdministration, and an AreaAgency on Aging.

The State of North Carolina recognizesHigh Country COG as the LeadRegional Organization for the sevencounties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery,Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, andYancey. In addition, the Council isdesignated by the Governor as theLocal Area for administering theWorkforce Investment Act. TheRegion D Development Corporation,Inc. is a nonprofit organization thatassists eligible small business

concerns through the Small BusinessAdministration’s 504 loan program.The Council provides regionaladministration and planning foraging, workforce development, andthe Community Development BlockGrant Program. The Council offerstechnical assistance to membergovernments upon request includingcomputer assistance through theRegional Computer System andRegional Geographic InformationSystem (GIS) Program.

Regional Organization

The HCCOG is a voluntary associ-ation of towns & counties located inthe northern mountains of NorthCarolina. The Council is one of 17multi-county planning regions in thestate & serves as a cooperativeextension of local governments. Theagency was established in 1974by the member governments asprovided for in NC General Statutes.Each member county & town isrepresented by one of their ownelected board members. A minority

representative, elected by minorityorganizations within the region, alsoserves on the Board.

Regional Catalyst

The HCCOG is involved in thecommunities of our region inmany ways; from the care of olderadults to water, sewer, and solidwaste to computer services. TheCouncil provides services andresources which might not other-wise be affordable or available tolocal governments.

Preparing for the future, the HighCountry Council of Governmentscontinues to assist our region bybringing together planners, electedofficials, and other key individuals toaddress the critical issues facingNorth Carolina’s High Countryregion.

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Annual Achievement Awards

On September 10, 2010, HighCountry Council of Governments(Region D) held its 36th annualawards banquet to recognizeoutstanding contributions andachievements by elected officials,local government employees, andadvisory committee members. HighCountry Council of Governments(COG) is a planning and developmentagency serving local governmentsin Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell,Watauga, Wilkes, and YanceyCounties. Award winners wereselected by elected and appointedofficials from the seven-countyregion. Executive board chairmanRichard Blackburn presented theawards, and applauded all localgovernment employees, localcommittee members, and citizenvolunteers for their hard work anddedication throughout the year.

Alleghany County resident PatriciaPolley was honored as the OutstandingNorth Carolina Senior Tar HeelLegislature/Advisory Committee onAging Member for the High Countryregion. The NC Senior Tar HeelLegislature consists of two rep-resentatives from each county whoadvocate �or the needs of olderadults to the North CarolinaGeneral Assembly. The HighCountry delegation also serves asthe Advisory Committee on Agingfor the region. Polley has been acommittee member for six years,

and currently chairs the group.Locally, Polley has been on theAlleghany Council on Aging Boardfor over eight years, and has heldgoverning and advisory positionswith community organizations suchas the Alleghany Memorial Hospitaland the Alleghany County PublicLibrary.

Wilkesboro county commissionerZach Henderson was recognizedas Outstanding Local GovernmentElected Official in the High Countryregion. The award honors outstandingleadership and service to thecommunity and region by a townor county elected official. Hendersonhas been commissioner for eightyears, and currently serves asboard chairman.

The recipient of the OutstandingRural Transportation AdvisoryCommittee Member was Jeffersonmayor Dana Tugman. The awardhonors exemplary performancewhile serving the High CountryRural Transportation PlanningOrganization (RPO). Mayor Tugman,representing all the municipalities inAshe County, has been an activemember of the Committee since itsinception in 2002. He has served aschairman for the past two years. TheHigh Country RPO is an organiza-tion of local governments working incooperation with NCDOT to providetransportation planning for theregion.

North Wilkesboro managerHank Perkins was recognizedas Outstanding Local GovernmentManager in the High Countryregion. Perkins has served his townwith skill and reliability since2002. The award recognizes thecontributions a manager hasmade to local government throughhis professionalism, leadership, and

Patricia Polley

Zack Henderson

Dana Tugman

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accomplishments as manager orchief administrator.

Bakersville mayor Charles Vineswas honored as the OutstandingHCCOG Executive Board Member.The award honors service andeffort in promoting cooperationamong local governments in theregion and the state. Vines hasbeen an executive board memberfor 20 years, including severalterms on the board’s advisorycommittee. He currently representsthe region on the North CarolinaMountain Resources Commission.

Avery County resident Sam Raywas this year’s recipient of theOutstanding Workforce DevelopmentBoard Member Award. The mem-bership of the High Country WorkforceDevelopment Board is primarilyprivate sector employers who workwith local governments and agenciesin the region to educate, train, andplace the region’s citizens in permanent,unsubsidized jobs. Ray, a formerAvery County commissioner andcounty manager, has served on theWorkforce Development Board

since 1986, making him thelongest-serving board memberever. During that time he has heldmany board leadership positions,including chairman.

Bakersville mayor Charles Vineswas honored with the prestigiousCharles Von Canon RegionalLeadership Award. Vines hasserved the Town of Bakersville formany years, and also is employedas the Mitchell County manager. Ona regional level, he has been amember of the High CountryCouncil of Governments ExecutiveBoard for 20 years; including severalyears on the advisory committeeand a term as chairman.

The Von Canon award was createdin 1990 to recognize the leadershipand unselfish contributions oflongtime Region D ChairmanCharlesVon Canon. It is presented only onrare occasions to a person who hasencouraged and facilitated regionalcooperation. Past recipients are (inaddition to Von Canon) Hugh Mor-ton (1994), Tracy Walker (1996),Dick Fender (2003), Phillip Frye(2004), John Miller (2007), andDana Tugman (2009).

The High Country Council ofGovernments’ Hall of Fame Award(otherwise know as the Old Timersaward) honors those who haveserved on the Executive Board for15 years or more. Three officialswere inducted this year: Jeffersonmayor Dana Tugman, Banner Elkcommissioner Brenda Lyerly, andCrossnore mayor Tudor Vance.

Hank Perkins

Charles Vines

Sam Ray

Dana Tugman

Edward Vance

Brenda Lyerly

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The American Recovery andReinvestment Act brought muchneeded resources to the sevencounty High Country WorkforceDevelopment Board (HCWDB) regionin Program Year 2009. The approx-imately $1.75 million allowed theregion’s youth to participate in asummer employment program anddoubled the High Country WorkforceDevelopment Board’s ability to servethe large number of unemployed adultsand dislocated workers affected bythe battered economy.

A year later the High Country regionis experiencing some renewal.During the past year, companieshave been retraining their currentworkforce and unemployed individualshave been retraining themselves aswell – whether by learning completelynew trades and skills or refreshingold ones. It’s been a time ofpreparation for the future.

The HCWDB has been doing itsown preparations: the RegionalInnovation Grant is conductingstudies on upcoming training needswithin the region; the State EnergySector Partnership is establishing afoundation for developing green jobtraining and employment opportunitiesin the High Country region; the HighCountry Workforce DevelopmentBoard is at the half-way point in itsthree-year strategic plan and ispreparing for the plan’s final stageto be as successful as it has beenso far.

After more than 24 months in aregional economic downturn andresponding to the business closingsand unemployed workers in ourregion, the High Country WorkforceDevelopment Board is lookingahead: towards recovery.

A Year of Recovery

Workforce Development

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Business Services by the NumbersCompanies assisted with Incumbent Worker Training Grants: 9$160,664 invested in training 126 workers455 total business customers using JobLink services

94% of Adult/Dislocated Workers trained in targeted high-growth sectors, exceeding the Board’s goal of 65%64% of Adult/Dislocated Workers obtained training-related jobs, exceeding the Board’s goal of 60%66.6% of youth participants enteredpostsecondary education or short-term training, exceeding the board’s 3-year goal of 50%44.3% of youth participated in internship, job shadowing, or other work experience activity, exceedingthe board’s 3-year goal of 30%

WIA Participants by the Numbers

6

recoveryinthehighcountry.com

A Tale of Two Businesses

Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Brushy Mountain Bee Farm is on aroll. In June 2009 the company wonan NC State Industrial ExtensionService $1 Billion Award for NorthCarolina, formally recognizing it forposting more than $2 million inincreased sales and for increasingits workforce from 27 to 50 employees.The Moravian Falls business expandedsignificantly last fall by opening anew distribution center in Pennsylvaniain October and with projected salesof $6.7 million for 2009, up 24percent from the previous year. Andon December 9, Business NorthCarolina Magazine named Brushy

Mountain Bee Farm its 2009 SmallBusiness of the Year.

At a statewide awards luncheon inBoone, Brushy Mountain’s owner,Steve Forrest, credited the HighCountry Workforce DevelopmentBoard for helping the businessobtain important training in leanproduction that led to its break-through success.

“It’s relationships that got us here,”Forrest said when he accepted hisNC Small Business of the Year awardfrom Business North CarolinaMagazine. “The High CountryWorkforce Development Boardhelped us get the grant that paid forthe training.”

Brushy Mountain Bee Farm inWilkes County is a stellar exampleof how incumbent worker grantscan help businesses thrive. BrushyMountain was awarded an incumbentworker grant from the High CountryWorkforce Development Board andthe NC Division of WorkforceDevelopment two years ago thatpaid for lean training provided byNC State’s Industrial ExtensionService. The resulting changes and

process improvements allowedBrushy Mountain Bee Farm tonearly double its staff and toprovide benefits for its workers.

“It’s amazing what they [HCWDB]did for our business,” Forrest said. “Ithink helping small business becomemore efficient should be one of thebiggest pushes of economic devel-opment because that can makemore positive changes for thepeople in the state. The differenceit can make is amazing.”

Recovery - For Businesses

Steven Forrest of Brushy Mountain Bee Farm ac-cepts the Business North Carolina Magazine

2009 Small Business of the Year Award.

Recovery Website

To ensure transparency and ac-countability and to more effectivelyassist all members of the community,the High Country WDB launchedRecoveryInTheHighCountry.com,the only local recovery-focusedwebsite in the state. The hyperlocaland detailed site content addressedjob search, entrepreneurship,training and skills upgrades, layoffsurvival, money management, andscam prevention tips. In addition,

the website’s calendar includednetworking, training, and smallbusiness events, as well as oppor-tunities for youth. The site wasdesigned as a temporary site andwas discontinued as of June 30,2010 as funding and demandbegan winding down. During itstime as a live site with regularweekly updates, thousands ofvisitors visited the site.

www.

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Gates CorporationThe Gates Corporation’s productionfloor is as far removed from people’sexpectations of manufacturing asfrom the days of black and whitephotos of 19th century work en-vironments. It’s neat, clean and freeof hazards; the air is clear; andemployees smile as they look upfrom their work. The manufacturingfloor’s appearance today has a lotto do with the lean manufacturingjourney Gates Corporation beganseveral years ago.

Thanks to incumbent workertraining grants that come throughthe HCWDB and the NC Division ofWorkforce Development, GatesCorporation has been able to trainmore than 20 employees in thetenets of the lean manufacturingprocess as Six Sigma GreenBelts. Gates’ most recent training,funded by its second incumbentworker training grant and GoldenLEAF funds, moved 5 Green Beltemployees up to the level of SixSigma Black Belts. Dwayne Howell,human resources manager atGates Corporation, confirmed theimportance of the grant awards, “Ifthe cost of this training had to comeout of pocket, it would have beenvery detrimental to our ability tocompete in the marketplace andwith other Gates facilities.”

Howell stated that lean manufacturingis an ongoing effort with no definedendpoint because of changingmarkets, materials, and priorities.Lean also teaches its practitionersnot to be satisfied with the statusquo. “The value of this program isthat it starts making you believe youcan go to zero defects,” Howell said.“To me, we will not quit working onthis process until we’re convincedthat every aspect of the process isinherent.”

HCWDB Hosts EconomicForum and Small BusinessTask Force

In conjunction with the SouthernGrowth Policies Board, the HCWDBheld a community forum on January26 to discuss local responses tocurrent economic conditions.The session saw participationfrom every county in the region.Attendees’ comments about theforum were extremely positive. Inresponse to the question, “Are youthinking differently about this issuenow that you have participated inthe forum?,” one participantwrote, “Discussion of differentstrategies helped me realizethere are steps that can be taken lo-cally,” and another answered, “Many

new ideas were put forth that Ihadn’t considered.”

Also on January 26, thir ty-fivebusiness, education, and communityleaders representing all sevencounties in the High Country work-force region participated in a l ivelyCommunity Par tners BusinessTeam forum. Attendees identifiedthe greatest needs of small business inthe region and pinpointed the gapsin resources for struggling businessowners during this period ofeconomic recession. As a directresult of the January forum, theHCWDB formed a Business TaskForce to follow up on ideas generatedat the forum.

An outcome of the task forcewas the development of localand regional business servicesdirectories to be posted on theHCWDB and county JobLinkwebsites.

The recently trained Six Sigma Black Belts at Gates Corporation are tackling complex and long-term projects with the dual goals of improving efficiency and cutting costs. In anticipation of thosegains leading to more business, areas of the production floor have been prepared for additionalequipment and workers.

“If the cost of thistraining had to

come out of pocket,it would have beenvery detrimentalto our ability to compete in the marketplace...”

“Discussion of different

strategies helpedme realize thereare steps that canbe taken locally”

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Recovery For DislocatedWorkers

The Future Forward Workforce Al-liance—a partnership including theHigh Country, Western Piedmont,and Region C Workforce Develop-ment Boards—is one of four projectteams in NC to win a significant U.S.Department of Labor grant focusedon developing green job trainingand employment opportunities inthe region.

The grant is funded through theAmerican Recovery and Reinvest-ment Act and provides training for

eligible individuals leading to indus-try- recognized certificates in areassuch as energy-efficient building,retrofitting industries, energy effi-ciency assessment, materials de-construction and reuse, renewableenergy installation, biofuels, andsustainable manufacturing.

The award of the Green Is Gold forNC grant begins a three-year work-force development initiative to builda new industry base in the region.Key components of the initiative in-clude tuition assistance for stu-dents, fees for green industrycertifications, incumbent workertraining for green businesses, on-the-job training, and opportunitiesto learn new skills in a new industrysector.

The grant provides resources foreach of the three partner workforcedevelopment boards to hire an en-ergy sector specialist to coordinateall aspects of the initiative. BusinessServices Coordinator Adrian Taitserves as the HCWDB energy sec-tor specialist.

Thermal camera images like this oneare important tools in the high-growthindustries of energy auditing andhome performance contracting.

Green Stats The renewable energy and energyefficiency industries currentlysupport 10,250 full-time equivalentemployees in NC. Research from the UNCG foundover 1,300 firms employing morethan 61,000 workers with the potential to manufacturecomponents for the solar, wind,biomass, and geothermal industries.2009 NC Renewable Energy &Energy Efficiency Industries Census:Over half of firms reportinganticipate new hiring needs in thenext 12 months; if current expectations are met, NC willproduce a 36% increase inemployment related to renewableenergy and energy efficiency;these growth expectations wouldproduce over 3,500 new jobs inNorth Carolina in the next year;and renewable energy installers,designers, and developers anticipatethe greatest growth, in absoluteterms, accounting for one-quarter ofanticipated new jobs.

Incumbent Worker Grants Awarded in Program Year 2009Business County Amount Awarded # of Workers to be Trained

Appalachian Reg. Healthcare System Avery & Watauga $25,000 18

Carolina Morning Designs Yancey $6,300 8

Carolina Timberworks Watauga $21,000 7

East Coast Moulding Wilkes $12,500 12

Gates Corporation Ashe $12,500 5

Key City Furniture Wilkes $25,000 48

Phillips Appraisal Ashe $20,390 7

Southern Industrial Corporation Ashe $13,810 6

Watauga Opportunities Watauga $24,164 15

Green Energy Grant Supports Turning Greeninto Gold in WNC

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Summer Jobs For Youth

The intent of American RecoveryReinvestment Act youth funding forthe summer of 2009 was to createsummer employment opportunitiesunder the guidelines of the Work-force Investment Act. Get REALYouth Services placed youth insummer jobs while building careerreadiness skills. Services targetedyouth whose family income fellbelow the federal poverty level andwho faced certain designatedchallenges to employment. Theprogram served youth and youngadults between 16-24 years of age.

Young people were placed atgovernment, non-profit, and privatesector work sites where real workand on-going supervision wereprovided. Wages were paid by theWorkforce Investment Act whileparticipants had the opportunity tolearn marketable job skills and worksites gained temporary workers.Placements were varied and includedwork such as entry-level clerical,grounds maintenance, and customerservice jobs. Workers also participatedin workshops that focused on jobreadiness skills and careerawareness, including opportunitiesin ''green'' jobs, customer service,and other demand areas. They also

prepared for the Career ReadinessCertificate (CRC), a nationallyrecognized certification confirmingthat an individual has the skillsneeded to be successful in today'sworkplace, such as applied math,reading for information, and locatinginformation.

A total of 184 youth participated inthe High Country Workforce Devel-opment Board summer employmentprogram at 105 different work sitesthroughout the region’s sevencounties. Sixty-seven participatingyouth received their CareerReadiness Certificate.

ARRA 12-in-6

During Program Year 2009, theHCWDB, along with other workforceboards across the state, collaboratedwith area community colleges toimplement the Governor’s JobsNow12-in-6 initiative. The initiative wasdesigned to ensure that during theeconomic downturn, North Carolina’sout of work citizens could takeadvantage of their unemployedstatus to obtain short-term skills (sixmonths or less) training andcertifications in any of twelve ca-reer fields.

The HCWDB met with key stafffrom Caldwell Community Collegeand Technical Institute, MaylandCommunity College, and WilkesCommunity College to identify rele-vant training fields and to developstrategies to upskill the workforce intheir service delivery areas. TheHCWDB also reviewed and approvedeach college’s training plan as aprerequisite for funding eligibility.The Board continues to review eachcollege’s 12-in-6 activities on amonthly basis.

Through June 2010, more than 900individuals have enrolled in 12-in-6classes in the High Country regionand more than 750 of those havenow completed their training. The12-in-6 program is funded fromNorth Carolina’s Division of Work-force Development Workforce In-vestment Act funds.

Recovery - For Youth

Watauga County Get REAL youth participantsdisplay their finds - including their award-win-ning lawn mower - from their Boone creekcleanup on Youth Service Day in April.

For their Youth Servie Day project, Get REALyouth from Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey coun-ties tilled a plot of ground above the MitchellJobLink Center and planted a garden. A por-tion of vegetables harvested were donated toa local food bank.

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Awarded US Department of Labor Regional Innovation multi-Boardcollaborative grant to jump start a literacy and lifelong learningcampaign based on skills needed in the 21st century workplace. Selected to participate in USDOL Recovery Act-funded EnergySector Partnership Grant as part of multi-Board collaborative.Fully implemented American Recovery and Reinvestment ActWorkforce Investment Act services for 543 adults and dislocatedworkers and 168 youth participants, including 156 SummerYouth Employment Program participants.Provided career guidance, training, and job search assistanceto 781 Workforce Investment Act adults and dislocated workersacross the region with regular WIA funding.Provided educational/career guidance and training assistanceto 240 Workforce Investment Act youth participants across theregion with regular WIA funding.Awarded nine Incumbent Worker Training Grants to businessesto upgrade worker skills.Achieved Workforce Investment Act federal performancemeasures(every year since WIA implementation in 2000).Achieved or exceeded all local strategic plan goals for the yearas identified by the Workforce Development Board.Planned and implemented three community-wide forums ontopical issues including local responses to economic conditions,business services, and North Carolina’s Benefit Bank.Prepared more than 20 workforce development news articles,which were published in regional news media, featuring workforcedevelopment issues, opportunities, and participants throughoutthe region.Selected to participate in panel discussion on implementationof Summer Youth Employment Program at NC Employment andTraining Association Conference.HCWDB program participant selected to receive Governor’sAward as NC Outstanding Youth Workforce DevelopmentParticipant of the Year.Staff Professional development and credentials include: Certi-fied Workforce Development Professionals, NC Workforce De-velopment Leadership Academy, NC Workforce DevelopmentLearning Network (for Leadership Academy graduates) and aGlobal Career Development Facilitator

High Country Workforce Development Board

At-A-Glance

Teresa Meija-Santos accepts the 2009 Governor'sAward for Outstanding Workforce Development OlderYouth in October.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act partici-pants and job site supervisors talk about their experi-ences at the High Country Workforce Development

Board's December meeting.

Left: After almost 2 years of being housed in separatelocations, all key partners of the Avery JobLink CareerCenter are now in one facility and open for business.The new office is located at 428 Pineola Street indowntown Newland. Right: The Yancey JobLink hasmoved to a new office located at 1041L East USHighway 19E in Burnsville since their previouslocation interfered with a road-widening project.

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Area Agency on Aging

The High Country Area Agency onAging (AAA) advocates, collaboratesand plans for the development of acomprehensive community-basedservice delivery system for olderadults and their caregivers in eachof the seven counties within RegionD. The AAA partners with the agingnetwork and local governments torespond to issues confronting therapidly growing older population asthis population is growing in diversitywith minimal, stagnant funding.

Planning and ResourceDevelopment

Among the key responsibilities ofthe Area Agency on Aging isplanning and resource developmentfor older adults. This responsibilityhas become even more critical overthe last couple of years with nogrowth in funding and even somereductions. The AAA has partneredwith the faith-based community andnon-traditional organizations to fill ingaps in the service delivery system.Sharp increases in the olderpopulation and the advancing babyboomers have required both strategicand comprehensive planning toaddress various needs as well asopportunities. The following highlightssome of the AAA’s planning andresource development activities andprojects this year:

Governor’s RoundtableThe AAA, in partnership with theGovernor’s Office, the Division ofAging and Adult Services, and theNC Institute on Aging, hosted oneof six Governor’s Roundtables heldacross North Carolina. The topicwas “Social and Cultural Engagement”and explored volunteerism, lifelonglearning as well as opportunities forsocial engagement. Information onthe issues identified at the Roundtableswill frame the Governor’s Conference onAging this fall, at which time solutionswill be identified and developed.Input from the Roundtables andConference will be the basis ofNorth Carolina’s State Plan onAging.

Senior Center DevelopmentThe AAA is the facilitator for theSenior Center Network, which wasestablished for the development ofsenior centers in all seven countiesto meet the changing and increasedchallenges as well as the opportunitiesprovided by the older population.Topics this year have been: 1) surveyingand marketing in changing commu-nities, 2) promoting federal/stateinitiatives and 3) transitioning toembrace social and cultural engage-ment opportunities as well as life-long learning.

Evidence-Based Health Promotion The AAA worked hard during theyear to expand the number of

evidence-based health promotionprograms in the region. Their effortsresulted in the region (all sevencounties) offering the ArthritisFoundation Exercise Program; twocounties (Ashe and Avery) addressingfall prevention concerns through AMatter of Balance while two othercounties (Wilkes and Yancey)began the Living Healthy Program,which is also known as the ChronicDisease Self Management Program(CDSMP). The AAA is also pleasedto announce that at the conclusionof the 2010 fiscal year, they wereawarded two EBHP grants from theNC Division of Aging and AdultServices with one grant’s objectivebeing to further the CDSMP in theregion, while the second EBHPgrant will offer the Fit and StrongProgram. Through the grantsleveraged by the AAA, they havebeen able to expand to four EBHPprograms that will offer older adultsmore options in managing theirhealth.

National Center on Elder AbuseAwardThe AAA received one of onlytwelve competitive grant awardsgiven by the National Committee forthe Prevention of Elder Abuse tobuild elder abuse preventioncoalitions in Mitchell and YanceyCounties. The purpose of theCoalitions is to build awareness ofthe prevalence of abuse, neglect

MISSIONTo enrich the quality of life of older adults andcaregivers in the High Country communities of Alleghany,Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties by providing education, empowerment, resource access and responsive services.

12

and exploitation as well as todevelop resources to assure theprotection of disabled, older adults.One of the activities was to host apresentation by North Carolina’sleading expert on the Adult ProtectiveService system, Nancy Warren,with the DAAS.

Falls Prevention CoalitionThe High Country Falls PreventionCoalition recently formed to increaseawareness of this issue and promotemultidisciplinary strategies toprevent falls, such as: exerciseprograms to improve balance andhealth, management of medications,vision correction, clinical assessmentsand reduction of home hazards.

Solution for SeniorsIn 2010, AAA assisted partners infinalizing Mitchell County’s com-prehensive plan for older adults:Solution for Seniors. Three resulting

ini t iat ives have already beenimplemented: 1) Caring HandsGroup Respite to assist familycaregivers; 2) development of atask force to eradicate prescribeddrug abuse and accompanyingelder abuse; and 3) development ofthe Mitchell Adult Safety Coalition toensure the protection of vulnerableadults in the county.

Relay for Extra HelpThe AAA received a grant to assistolder adults in the region who arepotentially eligible for Low IncomeSubsidy (LIS) which helps pay forprescription drugs, Medicare co-payments and deductibles. Thechallenge is to take the LIS messagebeyond the usual agency basedefforts to reach a broader audience.

Contract Agencies and Funding AmountsAlleghany Council on Aging, Inc. $ 160,214 Ashe Services for Aging, Inc. $ 269,402Avery Senior Services $ 194,188 Mitchell Senior Center $ 186,462Wilkes County Providers: $ 541,323 Watauga County Project on Aging $ 262,997

Wilkes Senior Citizens Council Yancey County Committee on Aging $ 196,280Wilkes Senior Center and Respite Legal Aid of North Carolina $ 14,000Care of Wilkes County, Inc.Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission

Contracted Services - The following services are provided through agency contracts:Congregate & Home Delivered Meals: A hot, nutritious meal five days a week.In-Home Aide: Provides home management assistance and personal care services.Adult Day Care/Adult Day Health Care: Provides a group setting to promote social, physical and emotional well-being.Medication Management: Promotes the importance of taking medications as prescribed and educates older adults regarding drug interactions.

A key responsibility of the AAA is to provide oversightof the counties’ use of the Older Americans Act monies,Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG),and other federal and state funds appropriated forservices for older adults and their family caregivers.This oversight includes assisting the counties and thelead agents with planning for HCCBG services;

contracting for services with provider agencies asspecified by the Board of County Commissioners;providing technical assistance in managing funds andfor compliance with service standards to assure qualityservices; and conduct annual assessments/monitoringof all service providers.

Management and Funding Oversight

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Transportation: Provides travel to and from agencies (senior centers, congregate sites, grocery store, etc.)Senior Center Operations: provides a broad range of activities and services in the senior center.Housing & Home Improvement: Provides minor home repair and applicances.Legal Assistance: Provides legal advice, representation and referrals.In-Home Respite Care: Provides temporary relief for caregivers to enable them to meet personal needs and supports their efforts.Health Promotion: Promotes active living and provides education for older adults to remain independent.

The Family Caregiver SupportProgram (FCSP), enacted in 2000by an amendment to the OlderAmericans Act, provides services tofamily caregivers of older anddisabled adults as well asgrandparents and other relatives,over the age of 55, who have takenon the responsibility of raising aminor child. The Act identifies fivesupport service areas for funding.They are: 1) information aboutavailable services; 2) assistance ingaining access to these services; 3)counseling, organization of supportgroups, and caregiver training; 4)respite care; and 5) supplementalservices, on a limited basis, tocomplement the care provided bycaregivers. The High Country AreaAgency on Aging contracts withservice providers in each of theseven counties to provide respiteservices to caregivers, allowingthem to enjoy a temporary breakfrom their caregiving duties.

Last year, the Family CaregiverSupport Specialist continued toaddress the needs of familycaregivers by collaborating withlocal organizations to providetraining seminars and educationalsessions for employers, faith-basedorganizations, civic clubs, andcommunity members. Educationalsessions presented included TheAlzheimer’s Project, Getting YourAffairs in Order, Elder Care & Work:Finding the Balance, CaregiverBasics, a Dementia Education

Forum and several lunch & learnworkshops. Other outreach effortsinclude participating in health fairs,facilitating support groups, servingon key advisory committees, workingwith the media to raise publicawareness of caregiving issues andhelping to organize communityevents that support older and dis-abled adults as well as those whocare for them.

Special Projects created to increaseand enhance available services tofamily caregivers in our regionincluded continued operation ofAnna’s Place (formerly the DamonHouse) and the newly implementedgroup respite programs, Day Breakat Deerfield and Caring Hands.These programs are social-modelgroup respite sites for older adultswith memory impairment intendedto allow the family caregiver a muchneeded break from their caregivingduties while providing supervision,care and stimulating activities forthe program participants. In addition,G.R.A.C.E. (Great Respite for theAshe Caregiver Experience) wasimplemented. G.R.A.C.E. is acollaborative effort by the churchesof Ashe County, Ashe Services forAging, Inc. and the Area Agency onAging to provide supportive servicesfor family caregivers as well as olderadults who live alone.

The Family Caregiver Councils(FCC) continued in their efforts tobuild infrastructure within their

communities, while hosting a variety ofevents such as: the Avery CaregiverAppreciation Dinner, Ashe andWatauga Caregiver AppreciationLuncheons and the Wilkes CaregiverRetreat. Plans were also initiated tohost a Mitchell/Yancey CaregiverAppreciation Reception to be heldin November 2010.

There was also significant growthand progress of the High CountryCaregiver Foundation (HCCF).HCCF is a 501(c)3, public, nonprofitorganization whose mission is tocreate awareness of caregivingissues and improve the quality oflife for caregivers and those theycare for through advocacy, informationand referral, education, emotionalsupport, and supplemental andrespite services. HCCF receivedgrants from Blue Ridge ElectricMembers Foundation and Wal-Mart

Family Caregiver Support Program

Brenda Reece

14

to help supplement fundraisingefforts. Since its inception in 2007,HCCF has raised more than$60,000 and awarded eighty-seven(87) $500 respite vouchers to familycaregivers in Avery and WataugaCounties.

High Country RAPP (Relatives asParents Program), the region’s firstprogram exclusively for grandparentsraising grandchildren and otherrelatives who have taken on theresponsibility of surrogate parentinghas continued to expand. Fundingfrom the Blue Ridge Electric Member’sFoundation and the BrookdaleFoundation was awarded to RAPP.At the close of fiscal year 2009,thirty-eight families were enrolledand benefiting from the program.High Country RAPP was able toassist these relative caregivers with

expenses for summer camps,school supplies, field trips, annualsand photographs, opportunities forrecreational activities, assistancewith legal fees and the annual Holidayfor Kids. It is estimated that in NorthCarolina there are more than150,000 children living in grandparent-headed households. There areanother 50,000 children living inhomes headed by other relatives.These caregivers may face a variety ofchallenges, such as: legal, social,financial, emotional, marital andphysical health problems, in theirefforts to raise grandchildren,younger siblings, cousins, nieces or

nephews. High Country RAPP offers awide range of programs andservices to assist them in success-fully parenting the children in theircare. Services currently availableare monthly support groups, infor-mation and assistance, educationalseminars, financial assistance withlegal fees and school-relatedexpenses, recreational activities, aresource lending library, as well asan annual toy drive, Holidays forKids. A Grandparent’s Breakfastwas held at Mabel School and aGrandparents Raising GrandchildrenTask Force was initiated in AsheCounty.

The 09-10 fiscal years ended withnotification from the state that twonew projects, Project Care andReach II, will be coming to theregion. These projects are intendedto assist family caregivers to addressthe personal, social and healthimpacts of caregiving and will focuson caregivers of people with pro-gressive memory loss and confusionsuch as Alzheimer’s disease.

The Regional Long Term CareOmbudsman Program works toenhance the quality of care and thequality of life of the region’s 2,000residents of long-term care facilities.This goal is accomplished throughinteraction with the resident, theirfamilies, concerned citizens,nursing and rest home care staff,and public agencies.

A Long Term Care Ombudsman isa professional who serves as anadvocate for long term care residents.Advocacy efforts include educationindividuals about their rights as wellas the complex rules and regulationsthat govern the long term caresystem.

The Ombudsman receives requests toinvestigate concerns and serves asa mediator for conflict resolution ifresidents encounter difficulty inexercising their rights. The Om-budsman also provides technicalassistance to facility staff, CommunityAdvisory Committee members, andthe general pubic on issues relatedto individuals in long term carefacilities.

Over the past year, the High CountryOmbudsman Program investigated34 complaints concerning longterm care facilities in the sevencounty region, provided technicalassistance to 145 people, visitedthe long term care facilities 142

times, and provided 58 trainingsand workshops. Additionally, theCommunity Advisory Committeemembers volunteered 1,100 hoursof service.

Ombudsman Program

Alex Jernigan

15

The General Assembly establishedthe North Carolina Senior Tar HeelLegislature (STHL) in 1993 to serveas a representative body of citizenswho voice the needs of older adultsto the General Assembly. Modeledafter the state legislature, thedelegation meets three times peryear at the state capital.

The High Country Council ofGovernments delegation is madeup of 14 older adults – one delegateand one alternate from each of theseven counties. The Area Agencyon Aging serves as the administra-tive support body for the STHL. TheSTHL also serves as the AdvisoryCommittee on Aging for the High

Country Council of Governments.Throughout the past year, the AAAprovided training opportunities forthe regional STHL members andassisted with the development ofresolutions that were presented to theGeneral Assembly for consideration.

Other AAA Activities

AAA and STHL hosted the 2nd Annual Legislative Brunch to provide information on aging issues to theGeneral Assembly members and allow the community an opportunity to express their concerns/desires.Worked on an anti-ageism project in Watauga and Yancey Counties’ Public School System in partnershipwith Appalachian State University’s Gerontology Program and the Reich College of Education.Collaborated with DAAS to expand heat relief/fan money to the entire region.Provided workshops for the community on such topics as Alzheimer’s Disease, ElderCare & Work, Caregiver Basics, and a Dementia Education Forum.Serves as a collaborative for Ashe’s Community Resource Connections.Provided resolutions honoring persons 100 years of age and older.Provided information and assistance to older adults and their family members needing assistance in locating resources.Supported the 5th Annual Ashe County Elder Abuse Conference and assisted Watauga County in their2nd Community Resource Forum for Provider and Caregivers of Adults to identify abuse and educatethe community on the resources available.Participated in the 8th Annual Adult Services Coalition of Watauga County’s Expo to educate and recognize older adults as well as to address the challenges/barriers to service delivery.Received $83,558 in ARRA funds for Congregate and Home Delivered Meals and monitored the use of the funds.Continued to provide technical support to the G.R.A.C.E. faith-based program.Formally conducted a mid-point review and revised the 2008-1012 Regional Plan for Older Adults.

NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature/Advisory Committee on Aging

16

The Planning Department providesgrant writing assistance for severalstate and federal economic devel-opment programs, includingCommunity Development BlockGrant – Economic Development(CDBG-ED) and Infrastructure(CDBG-I) categories, AppalachianRegional Commission (ARC), U.S.Department of Commerce’s EconomicDevelopment Administration (EDA),GoldenLEAF Foundation, NorthCarolina Clean Water ManagementTrust Fund (CWMTF), North CarolinaDepartment of Commerce– IndustrialDevelopment Fund (IDF), and theNorth Carolina Rural Center. In FY2009-2010 planning staff assistedthe following:

CrossnoreHelped the Town of Crossnoresecure funding to replace theTown’s aging wastewater treatmentplant. The Rural Center ($417,750)and ARC ($300,000) awardedgrants. The new treatment plant willserve residents, Crossnore ElementarySchool, and the 100-residentCrossnore School for Children.

WilkesboroAssisted the Town of Wilkesborowith an ARC application for$300,000 to fund water & sewer linereplacements. The project will helpcreate 75 jobs and retain 350 atTyson Foods.

SpartaPrepared an ARC application forthe Town of Sparta. The $66,500grant will help pay for a water pumpstation, resulting in the retention of264 jobs, including the workforce ofMagnolia Manufacturing.

Seven DevilsPrepared a Rural Center applicationfor $8,000 for the Town of SevenDevils to fund mapping of theTown’s water system.

Beech MountainCompleted a $40,000 NC RuralCenter Planning Grant for the Townof Beech Mountain, to be used forthe development of a Water andSewer Master Plan.

WilkesPrepared a $615,000 grant applicationto EDA and performed a detailedenvironmental review for infrastructureextensions at Wilkes County Airpark fortwo expanding businesses – MXAircraft and Dove Air. The EDAgrant award will be combined withfour other COG-authored grants forthe $1.35 million project.

With a regional approach to projectadministration, the HCCOG managesseveral projects through a trainedstaff at the Council’s offices. Followingare the HCCOG administeredprojects for FY 2009-2010:

RondaContinued to assist the Town ofRonda with Rural Center grantadministration for a new town-widesewer system.

WilkesProvided ARC, GoldenLEAF, NCDepartment of Commerce (IDF),and NC Rural Center grant admin-istration services to Wilkes Countyfor the $1.35 million Wilkes CountyAirpark infrastructure extensionproject.

BurnsvilleContinued to administer CDBG, NCRural Center, GoldenLEAF, andAppalachian Regional Commissiongrants for the Town of Burnsvilletotaling over $1.8 million for utilityextensions to Altec, Inc.

SpartaContinued to work with the Town ofSparta on the establishment of anew water treatment plant; a jointproject of the Town, AlleghanyCounty, the Town of Independence,Virginia, and Grayson County underan entity named the Virginia CarolinaWater Authority.

CrossnoreProvided Rural Center grant admin-istration for the Town of Crossnoreto develop a new water supply well.

Planning & Development

Infrastructure

Grant administration

17

Photo credit: MX Aircraft.

Planning

Council staff assist local govern-ments in many areas of planning,including land-use, recreation, andsolid waste management. Planningprojects typically include publicinvolvement efforts, GIS mappingcomponents, and involve coordinationwith multiple local governmentdepartments and State agencies.During the past year, HCCOG:

Land-Use� Worked with the Town of

Seven Devils to review and revise the Town’s zoning, construction, and subdivision ordinances.

� Assisted the Town of West Jefferson in establishing Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.

Recreation & EnvironmentWorked with the Town of Sparta to complete a $53,000 North Carolina Parks & Recreation Trust Fund (PARFT) application for improvements to Crouse Park.

� Prepared a PARTF application for the Town of North Wilkesboro for improvements to Smoot Park, including a section of the Yadkin River Greenway.

� Completed a successful $172,480 PARTF application for Alleghany County for the developmentof a new park.

� Began work on the High Country Regional Water Resources Plan. COG staff prepared a $40,000 grant application to the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance for the Town of Wilkesboro to purchase recycling containers and a

truck in order to establish acurbside recycling program.

Group FacilitationHigh Country COG staff providesassistance to local governments inthe area of group facilitation. Councilstaff also promotes regionalism bymaking presentations on planningand development issues at workshopsand conferences.

Last year, HCCOG staff assistedWatauga County, the Towns ofBoone, Blowing Rock, Seven Devils,and Beech Mountain, and Ap-palachian State University by facili-tating two IntergovernmentalRetreats. The retreats convenestaff and elected officials to discussissues of mutual interest. The tworetreats this past year focused onHealth Care, Recreation, and LocalComprehensive Plans.

Other Planning & DevelopmentProjectsAs a result of the availability offederal funding (ARRA) for energy-related projects, COG staff conducteda workshop for local governments,schools, and community collegeson How to Develop an Energy Con-servation and Efficiency Plan. Grantguidelines required submission of aplan along with the application. The

workshop also included instructionson applying for and administeringthe energy grants.

� Developed a Strategic Energy Plan for the Town ofBurnsville and submitted a $10,520 application to the NC State Energy Office to fund various energy efficiency measures, including the replacement ofheating/cooling units.

� Prepared a $67,000 grant application on behalf of theSpruce Pine Main Street program to the NC State Energy Office to fund the installation of 66 solar panels on the roof of a formerly vacant building in downtown Spruce Pine. Energy generated from the solar panels will be used topartially offset the grid energy required to operate Highland Craftsmen’s 5 drying kilns, which the company uses to manufactureexterior siding products.

� Assisted Watauga County with a $94,500 application to the NC State Energy Office to fund a methane gas to electricity conversionproject at the Watauga County Landfill.

� Developed a Strategic Energy Plan for Yancey County and submitted a $181,000 grant application to the NC State Energy Office to fund various energy efficiency improvements at the Yancey County Courthouse, including the upgrading of heating/cooling system, windows, and lighting.

� Prepared an ARC application for Mayland Community College to initially fund an instructor position for healthsimulator training. The

A major infrastructure need for many years,Crossnore’s new well ensures a reliable watersupply for the town.

18

High Country Council of Governments provides staff to the Region D Development Corporation, Inc. (RDDC).Activities of this nonprofit organization focus on aiding eligible small businesses in developing US Small BusinessAdministration (SBA) 504 loan packages. The RDDC has also served as the fiduciary in delivering cash incentivesto industries locating in the region. The RDDC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representativesfrom local government, private lending institutions, and private business from the seven counties.

During the past year, the RDDC approved the following SBA 504 loans:

1) $161,000 for Tri-State Components in Sparta; project consists of expansion of existing business to accommodate new product line development

2) $1,927,000 for Vision Two Hospitality, Inc. in Charlotte; project consists of purchase of existing Quality Inn Hotel.

Region D Development Corporation

health simulators are complex,technologically-advanced mannequins that are used to train a wide variety of health care providers.

� Worked with Graham Children’s Health Services of the Toe River in preparinga successful grant applicationto ARC for the MY Health-e-Schools project. The $89,460 grant will provide funding for the establishment of a school-based remote telehealth network in Mitchell and Yancey counties using state of the art medical diagnostic equipment.

� Completed a $72,000 Building Reuse and

Restoration Grant application (NC Rural Center) for Allegany County. Funds will be used to restore a family-oriented bowling/gaming center.

� Assisted with the Town of Wilkesboro’s $300,000 application to the North Carolina Main Street Solutions Fund for the rehabilitation of a business,a downtown plan, and a façade grant program.

� Assisted the Town of Elk Park with a Local GovernmentCommission application related to financing the construction of a new town hall.

SBA 504 Loan BasicsFor small businesses – less than $7 million net worth and net annual profit under $2.5 millionLoans can be made for land, buildings, and equipment – fixed assetsLoans are collateralizedRDDC works with private lender (bank) to develop loan packageThe SBA/RDDC portion of the loan limited to $1.5 million; $2 million for projects where borrower meets public policy goals (female, minority, veteran); $4 million for a manufacturing operationSBA/RDDC portion goes up to 40% - typical project is 10% from borrower, 50% from bank, 40% from SBA/RDDC Higher injection from borrower is required in some instances, such as start-up businessesTerms 10-20 years; 10 on equipment, 20 on real estateInterest rate is set when debenture sells – in October 2010, fixed rate for 20 year term was 4.52%Advantages to borrower: low down payment (10%); long term; and low, fixed rateAdvantages to bank: exposure limited to 50%; first position lien on all collateral

MY Health-e-Schools is a new program designedto make accessing health care services easier forparents of school-age children through telemedicine.

19

High Country Council of Gov-ernments, working closely withcounty recreation depar tmentdirectors and town management,recently completed individualrecreation plans for the Town ofBanner Elk, Avery County, andWatauga County. Students fromAppalachian State University’sDepartment of Health, Leisure, &Exercise Science conducted citizensurveys that provided input to thecounty plans, and High CountryCOG Planning Staff conductedstakeholder interviews and citizensurveys for the Banner Elk plan.The plans include an inventory ofexisting facilities and programs,demographic statistics, geographicanalyses, and recreational needsassessments. A major recommen-dation in both county plans is formore indoor recreation facilities,due primarily to outdoor limitationsimposed by the counties’ climate.

Additional walking trails wereidentified as a priority in the BannerElk plan.

These plans were developed inorder to help county and towngovernments make informed decisionsregarding recreation. Benefits ofhaving a recreation plan include:maximizing the use of existingfacilities by identifying underutilizedresources, ensuring that new facilitiesare needed and will be used, avoidingduplication of facilities where it isunnecessary, and maximizing theimpact of each dollar spent onrecreation. The plans also increasethe local governments’ chances forreceiving grant funding from thestate’s Parks & Recreation TrustFund program. Other recreationproviders, such as schools andcamps, may find the plans useful fortheir own recreation planning.

New recreation plans for Banner Elk, Avery& Watauga Counties

20

Shawneehaw Creek.

Wildcat Lake.Above: Planning adequate facilities for team sports, such as this softball game in Watauga, is animportant aspect of recreation plans. Above right: Many parks provide both active and passiverecreation opportunities, such as this one in Newland.

Greenway entrance at Millpond.

Tate-Evans Park

The North Carolina Department ofCommerce’s Division of CommunityAssistance (DCA) managesCommunity Development BlockGrant (CDBG) awards from theUnited States Department ofHousing & Urban Development.Counties receive $400,000 on athree-year cycle to repair or replaceindividual, owner-occupied, low- ormoderate-income housing throughthe Scattered Site Housing Program.

In the Scattered Site Housing ProgramCounties have the option to setaside up to 10% of the programfunds (or $40,000) to assist low andmoderate-income homeowners withsmall repairs to their home. Therepairs may not exceed $5,000.Examples of eligible repairs include:a new roof to replace a leaking one,a handicapped ramp to assist anewly disabled homeowner, newenergy efficient windows, repair orreplacement of a damaged HVACsystem.

Participants of the Scattered Siteprogram are selected from a pool ofapplications submitted by home-owners. Each county with an activeprogram has a Selection Committeeappointed by the Commissioners.Each committee is unique; all musthave a representative from theCounty and each participatingmunicipality; the makeup of the restof the committee is to the discretionof the individual county. Committees

typically consist of representativesfrom Social Services, Tax Administra-tion, Planning, Building Inspections,Law Enforcement, EnvironmentalHeath Department, CooperativeExtensions, and at times the privatesector.

Infrastructure

DCA also has funding available tolocal governments to make waterand/or sewer improvements to lowand moderate-income residentialareas to correct problems that posea severe health or environmentalrisk. The High Country Council ofGovernments coordinated theadministration of one infrastructureprogram in 2009-2010:

Town of Ronda - Continued to ad-minister a CDBG Infrastructuregrant for the Town to fund sewer lineextension project to serve approxi-mately 34 homes within the Town.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Programs

The HCCOG provided ad-ministrative services for6 Scattered Site HousingPrograms in 2009-2010,including:

Alleghany County– Continuedadministration of the County’s 2007program, with the rehabilitation ofthree homes.

Ashe County– Continued admin-istration of the County’s 2008program, with the replacement ofthree homes

Avery County– Continued admin-istration of the County’s 2009program, with replacement ofone home.

Watauga County– Continuedadministration of the County’s2009 program, with replacementof one home.,

Wilkes County– Coordinatedrehabilitation services for theCounty’s 2007 program. Assistedthe County in the rehabilitation offour homes.

Yancey County– Continuedadministration of the County’s2008 program, with the replacementof two homes.

Scattered Site Housing

Watauga County. Pre -1978 mobile homes cannot be rehabilitated, but can be replaced.

Watauga County. Mobile home replacement inprogress

Ashe County. It is unfeasible to rehabilitate somehomes on the program. Demolition and replace-ment on the same footprint is the best option toprovide a homeowner with a safe and sanitaryhome.

Ashe County. All replacement homes are placedon a permanent foundation.

21

Before

Before

After

After

The High Country Council ofGovernments provides specializedGeographic Information System(GIS) and Global PositioningSystem (GPS) services throughoutits seven county region on acontract basis.

The HCCOG maintains the hardware,software and professional staff tomeet GIS/GPS needs includingConsulting, Data Conversion,Spatial Analysis, GPS Collection,Data Creation and Management,and Cartographic Production Serv-ices.

Through maintaining an ESRIArcInfo license, the COG has fullcapability of conducting 3Dmodeling and spatial analysis suchas site suitability, land-use analysis,demographic analysis, transportationanalysis, and more. Also, HCCOGdesigns and produces numerouscustom maps at a variety of scales

and sizes every year for planningefforts, grant applications, wide-circulation publications, and otherspecialized needs. On a regularbasis, HCCOG maintains an ex-tensive library of local, state, andfederal GIS datasets. Within ourregion, HCCOG has maintainedvarious municipalities’ GIS data,such as zoning, town limits, andutilities.

Water & Sewer SystemMapping

The High Country Council ofGovernments has been assistingmember municipalities withmapping utility assets. During thewinter of 2009-2010, HCCOGcompleted Water and SewerSystem Mapping projects in thetowns of West Jefferson and Jefferson.Mapping the towns’ water andsewer system using GIS/GPS

technology provided an inventoryand geographically-accurate viewfor the entire as-built system.Previously, the towns did notpossess any such data. COG staff,with the assistance of Public Workspersonnel in each Town, locatedand inspected every feature of theentire town-maintained water andsewer systems capturing sub-meterquality data with a Trimble GeoXTGPS unit. Features located includedmeters, valves, hydrants, manholes,piping, and network structures.Associated attribute data recordedwas specific to the Towns’ requestsand included pipe diameter, pipematerial, installation dates, manholedepth, meter size, valve type, etc.

Subsequently, the towns are able toview feature locations and analyzetheir existing network for capacityplanning and capital improvementplanning. The system databasescan be queried for specific statisticssuch as the total footage of pipingby diameter, material, or installationdate. Operations such as leak andnearest valve detection, repairs,valve exercising and inspectionscan be managed more efficiently.Periodically, COG staff can visittowns to capture new systemconstruction to easily keep thenetwork current.

Upon completion of the field work,West Jefferson and Jeffersonreceived various customized 34” x44” maps of the entire water andsewer systems, the GIS geodatabaseof the system data, and an indexedmap book that can be kept in thePublic Works’ vehicle to reference inthe field.

Section of the complete water and sewer system in the Town of West Jefferson. Feature call-out boxeshighlight typical attributes collected.

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GIS/GPS Services

22

Priority conservation HUCs within the High Country region include East Prong Roaring River, Middle Prong Roaring River, Elk Creek, and Buffalo Creek.

Upper Yadkin-Pee DeeRiver Basin RestorationStrategies Initiative

High Country Council of Governmentscoordinated with Centralina COG,Northwest Piedmont COG, andPiedmont Triad COG to complete aYadkin-Pee Dee River BasinRestoration Strategies Initiativesupported with the N.C. Division ofWater Quality. The Yadkin-Pee DeeRiver Basin is the second-largestriver basin in NC covering diverselandscapes and land uses from theHigh Country headwaters to theCharlotte metropolitan area.

The goal for this basinwide assess-ment was to utilize GIS to rank the232 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes(HUCs) within the N.C. portion ofthe Yadkin River Basin both for their

conservation potential and theirstress vulnerability. An assortmentof data was used in the GIS analy-sis to reflect watershed stressesand conditions. This data includedimpervious surfaces, forest cover,conservation lands/easements,hydric soils, erodible soils, 500 yearfloodplains, steep slopes, significantnatural heritage areas, greenways,trout/ high quality/ outstandingresource waters, major roads, wet-lands, animal operation permits,high impact zoning, and estimatedpopulation density change from2009 to 2014.

The top 23 stressed HUCs and top23 conservation HUCs were furthercharacterized in a portfolio todescribe the watershed, factorscontributing to impaired waterquality conditions, and recommendedmanagement planning efforts for

each sub-basin. In the HCCOGregion, four sub-basins were amongthe top 23 conservation HUCs,including the East Prong RoaringRiver, Middle Prong Roaring River,Elk Creek, and Buffalo Creek HUC.No sub-basins in the High Countrywere among the top 23 stressedHUCs.

A final Yadkin-Pee Dee River BasinPriority Watershad Atlas wascompleted to fulfill the project’s goalof addressing current water qualityneeds and give river basin stake-holders guidance, while leveragingresources and funding in support ofwork at the local level. This project’sdocumentation complements theNC DWQ Basinwide Planning Unitwith guidance in regard to basin-wide water quality priorities andstrategies to improve or protectwater quality.

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Yadkin River Basin

23

Rural Planning Organization (RPO)

The High Country RPO worksclosely with NCDOT and localgovernments on transportationplanning in the region. RPO staffprovides technical assistanceduring development of Compre-hensive Transportation Plans (CTP).CTPs are county-level long-range,multi-modal transportation plansthat are mutually adopted by theCounty and NCDOT. During 2009-2010, High Country RPO staffassisted with development of AsheCounty's CTP. RPOs also are involvedin prioritizing projects for inclusionin the State's Transportation Im-provement Program (TIP). RPOstaff works with local governmentsand NCDOT in development of theHigh Country RPO Priority NeedsList every two years.

Ashe County Comprehensive Transportation PlanAshe County and the Towns ofJefferson, Lansing, and WestJefferson working in coordinationwith NCDOT and the High Country

Organization

High Country Council of Governments is the designated Lead Planning Agency for the High Country RuralTransportation Planning Organization (High Country RPO). The Council provides staff, technical support, andGIS services to the RPO. The RPO’s functions are conducted through the Rural Transportation CoordinatingCommittee (local government and NCDOT staff), and the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (localgovernment elected officials and NC Board of Transportation member).

Core Functions

The High Country RPO has four legislated responsibilities:

Develop long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans in cooperation with NCDOT;Provide a forum for public participation in the rural transportation planning process;Develop and prioritize suggestions for transportation projects that the RPO believes should be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); andProvide transportation-related information to local governments and other interested organizations and persons.

Transportation Planning Process

24

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Big Laurel Rd

SR-1315

Idlewild Rd

SR-1003

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oad

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Rail Road Grade RdSR-1106

Cranberry Springs RdSR-1100

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Proposed NC 16 Connector

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Proposed NC 194 Bypass

Ashe County

Park

Refer to CTP document for more detailsBase map date: 01-20-2009

Ashe County

Highway Map

Comprehensive Transportation Plan

Existing

Needs Improvement

Recommended

Freeways

Existing

Needs Improvement

Recommended

Expressways

Boulevards

Other Major Thoroughfares

Minor Thoroughfares

Existing Grade Separation

Proposed Grade Separation

Existing Interchange

Proposed Interchange

Existing

Needs Improvement

Recommended

Existing

Needs Improvement

Recommended

Existing

Needs Improvement

Recommended

��������

Jefferson-West JeffersonInset

Jefferson-West Jefferson Inset

Plan Date: January 19, 2010

0 1 2 3 4 5Miles

�0 10.5

Miles

Sheet 2 of 5

DRAFTPartial view of Ashe County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Highway Map. Please visit ourwebsite at: http://www.regiond.org/rpo_Ashe.html to view full size map.

Council of Governments completedand approved their first Compre-hensive Transportation Plan(CTP). The County’s EconomicDevelopment Commission alongwith representatives from NCDOTand the High Country Council ofGovernments served as the steeringcommittee for the development ofthe plan. The Ashe CountyComprehensive Transportation Plantook approximately 18 months todevelop and is the second CTP tobe completed in the High CountryRegion. The local approvals werefollowed by an endorsement fromthe High Country RPO and approvalby the NC Board of Transportation.

Comprehensive TransportationPlans were developed to replaceThoroughfare Plans due to recentrevisions in state law (G.S. 136-66.2).CTPs consist of a mutually adoptedset of vision maps designed toserve present and anticipated futuretravel demand in a safe and effectivemanner. CTPs differ from thorough-fare plans by recommending ac-cess control for future roads.

Benefits of a CTP include:Common long range vision for multi-modal facilities between NCDOT, MPOs, RPOs and local governments.Better project information for Programming and Project Development.Better integration of transportation planning withland use planning.Reduced project cost associated with right-of-wayand construction activities.Minimized impacts to propertyand community appearancewith future road improvements.Stronger ties to local priorities.

AppalCART MapsThe High Country RPO producesmaps for AppalCART annually.AppalCART is the designatedpublic transportation provider inWatauga County. This is the fifthyear that the High Country RPO hasbeen involved with producing themaps. The goal is to provide riderswith maps that are easily managedand easy to understand. Each yearAppalCART and the High Country

RPO make efforts to improve themaps and make them more userfriendly. The latest improvementinvolves the use of Watauga County’supdated aerial photographsoverlayed with the individual busroutes and stop to make it easier forriders to identify transit stops.

The maps are sent to ASU studentseach year prior to the start of the fallsemester, and are posted in the busshelters.

Coordinated Public Transit-HumanServices Transportation PlanThe High Country RPO continuedto prepare Coordinated PublicTransit-Human Services Trans-portation Plans for the region's transitagencies. Avery, Mitchell, Watauga,Wilkes, and Yancey Counties wereprovided with the plans this year. ACoordinated Public Transit-HumanServices Transportation Planidentifies public transportationneeds, provides strategies formeeting local needs, and prioritizestransportation services for fundingand implementation.

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12

LEGEND") SHELTER

!( NO SHELTER

BLUE ROUTE

AppalCART Blue Route

OPERATES M-F DURING ASU'S FALL ANDSPRING SEMESTER FROM 7:30 AM UNTIL 5:49 PM

ON ASU HOME FOOTBALL GAMES IT BEGINS FIVE HOURSBEFORE GAME AND CONTINUES UNTIL TWO HOURS AFTERGAME ENDS ON A MODIFIED SCHEDULE (3)

BROYHILL INN ANDCONFERENCE CENTER

APPALACHIANHEIGHTS

LIVINGLEARNINGCENTER

RALEY HALL

Map Created by

Partial view of AppalCART ‘s Blue Route Map. To view full maps, brochures can be obtained at the AppalCART office in Boone.

25

Projects in the High Country region listed in the draft 5 year work program include:

Project Number Project Description Let Date

R-3101 US 21, ROARING GAP TO SPARTA. UPGRADE ROADWAY TO TWENTY-FOUR FEET WITH TWO FOOT PAVED SHOULDERS.

2013

R-4060 SPARTA WESTERN LOOP, GRANDVIEW DRIVE TO US 21. 2015

R-2915 US 221, US 421 IN WATAUGA COUNTY TO US 221 BUSINESS - NC 88IN JEFFERSON. WIDEN TO FOUR LANES DIVIDED.

2015

U-3812 JEFFERSON - NC 88 FROM NC 194 TO US 221 BUS. UPGRADE EXISTING ROADWAY

2012

R-2237C US 321 FROM SR 1500 (BLACKBERRY RD) TO US 221 AT BLOWINGROCK. WIDEN TO MULTI-LANES.

2011

R-2603 NC 268, NC 18 TO AIRPORT ROAD. WIDEN TO MULTI-LANES. 2015

R-3405 NC, 18, SR 1002 (MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD) TO SR 1717. WIDEN TOTHREE LANES.

2013

R-2519A US 19E FROM SR 1336 (JACKS CREEK RD) TO SR 1186 (OLD US 19) 2011

R-2519B US 19E IN YANCEY AND MITCHELL. 2014

In addition to the TIP, NCDOT produces a 5 Year Work Program and Let List. The 5 Year Work Program is acomprehensive work plan that includes projects, programs, and services that NCDOT plans to provide basedon current revenue projections, and is produced every year.

The plans are developed through aprocess that includes representativesof public, private, and nonprofittransportation agencies and humanservice transportation providers, aswell as members of the public. Therepresentatives participated inpublic workshops and providedinput that assisted in developingthe plans.

After a plan has been completed,agencies covered by the plan cansubmit applications to NCDOT forfunding from the following programs:

The Elderly Individuals andIndividuals with Disabilities program seeks to improve mobility for elderly individualsand individuals with disabilities.The Job Access and ReverseCommute program seeks to

improve access to transportation services to employment and employment related activities for welfarerecipients and eligible low-income individuals, and to transport residents of urbanizedareas and non-urbanized areas to suburban employments opportunities(reverse commute). The New Freedom programseeks to reduce barriers to transportation services andexpand the transportation mobility options available topeople with disabilities beyond the requirements ofthe Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA).

Mitchell County Locally Coordinated PlanWorkshop

Yancey County Locally Coordinated PlanWorkshop

26

Regional Computer System

Finance

Revenues Percent of TotalFederal Funds $ 5,855,960 91%State Funds $ 240,480 4%Local Funds $ 339,780 5%Total $ 6,436,220 100%

Expenditures Percent of TotalPlanning & Devel. $ 595,463 9%Workforce Devel. $ 3,345,642 52%Area Agncy on Aging $ 2,450,555 38%Local Activities $ 44,560 1%Total $ 6,436,220 100%

Staff provides assistance with computerized records in the following areas:Tax records for 6 municipalities Landfill tipping fees for 4 countiesUtility billing for 5 municipalities Building inspection records for 3 countiesProperty & automobile tax records for 3 counties

The High Country Council of Governments’ website describes the agency’s purpose and programs. Separatepages are dedicated to each town and county, containing information that includes:

Contact information Demographics Economic statisticsAgricultural statistics Housing statistics Health information

The Regional Computer System consists of fourteen local government users/participants. The staff provides a wide range of computer services to member towns andcounties; from maintenance to systems analysis & programming. The RegionalComputer System’s staff assists local governments in system analysis, programming,user training, equipment installation, hardware maintenance, and advice on system changes.

27

Advisory Committees & Boards

Thanks to all the

volunteers and

appointed

members who

serve on High

Country COG

boards and

advisory

committees.

These

individuals are

essential for

the success

of our

programs.

High Country Caregiver FoundationBoard

Gigi BarkerCarol BernsMary BlalockLinda BretzR.D. DanielsKay DecherdJoRhetta GardnerJulie GettyL.D. HagamanEllen HarrellCarol SchafferCarol SmithGarrick SmithSharon WellbornPatty Wheeler

STHL/Advisory Committee on Aging

Clifford Phillips (D) Alleghany Patricia Polley (A) AlleghanyClara Miller (D) Ashe Jo Ann Alexander (A) Ashe Rachel Deal (D) Avery Ina Winters (A) Avery Mary Tichenor (D) Mitchell Clarence Tichenor (A) Mitchell Pat Coley (D) Watauga Ed Rosenberg (A) Watauga Betty Knight (D) Wilkes

Glenn Mitchell (A) Wilkes Maryallen Estes (D) Yancey Gail Elkins (A) Yancey (D) Delagate (A) Alternate

High Country Workforce Dev. Board

Barbara BarlowMike BirkmireKathy BishopAnne BowlinDavid EdwardsSkip GreeneMarie GwynJim HalseyJennie HarpoldFonda HarrisDwayne HowellClark HunterCarl JenkinsJoallen LowderCharley NashBryan PetersonJamie PhillipsJayne Phipps-BogerWanda ProffittSam RaySandra ReeseTruman RobbinsJulia RowlandStacy SearsAmanda SmithEarl TiptonDon WilliamsSallie Woodring

28

Rural Transportation Advisory Committee

Gary BarberJohn BradyJudy BuchananLoretta ClawsonRichard DeMottKeith ElmoreSam HalseyGlenn JohnsonRobert L. JohnsonBrenda LyerlyMarvin MillerJohnny RiddleSteve RotenDana TugmanGeorge WilsonWilliam Winkler III

Rural Transportation Coordinating Committee

Local GovernmentsAlleghany Co. Don AdamsSparta Bryan EdwardsAshe County Dan McMillianJefferson Cathy HowellLansing Bernice PrestwoodWest Jefferson Greg McGinnisAvery County Robert WisemanBeech Mountain Randy FeierabendBanner Elk John MejaskiCrossnore Rachel DealElk Park Connie GuinNewland Brenda PittmanSugar Mountain David LaneMitchell County Charles VinesBakersville Crystal CraigoSpruce Pine Richard CanipeWatauga County Rocky NelsonBoone Greg YoungBlowing Rock Scott HildebranSeven Devils Ed Evans

Wilkes County John YatesNorth Wilkesboro William H. PerkinsRonda Lahoma O’LagueWilkesboro Kenneth NolandYancey County Nathan BennettBurnsville Tom Storie

Chambers of CommerceAlleghany Bob BambergAshe Cabot HamiltonAvery/Banner Elk Susan ZalewskiBeech Mountain Peggy CosciaMitchell Shirley HiseBlowing Rock Charles HardinBoone Dan MeyerHigh Country Host Karin MossWilkes Linda CheekYancey Ashley Grindstaff

Public Transit ProvidersAlleghany April HammAshe Sue ThompsonAvery Linda CuthbertsonMitchell Barbara BuchananAppalCART Chris TurnerWilkes Bruce EilertYancey Lynn Austin

NCDOTPlanning Branch Sarah SmithDiv. 11 Engineer Michael PettyjohnDiv. 11 Proj. Mgr. Joe LawsDiv. 13 Engineer Jay SwainDiv. 13 Proj. Mgr. Mike CallowayReg. Traffic Engr. Jimmy Hamrick

MiscellaneousHigh Country COG Rick HerndonAppalachian State Patrick BevilleBlue Ridge Parkway Gary Johnson

29

Staff Listing

AdministrationRick Herndon, Executive Directorrherndon@regiond.org Ext. 125

Kathy Combs, Receptionistkcombs@regiond.org Ext. 100

Sabrina DiCarlo, Office Cooridinatorsdicarlo@regiond.org Ext. 101

Area Agency on AgingAnita Davie, Directoradavie@regiond.org Ext. 122

Tonia Cook, Contracts Manager/AgingProgram Coord. tcook@regiond.org Ext. 113

Alex Jernigan, Ombudsmanajernigan@regiond.org Ext. 126

Brenda Reece, Family Caregiver Support Specialistbreece@regiond.org Ext. 128

Diane Tilson, Program Assistantdtilson@regiond.org Ext. 137

Regional Computer SystemFred Sides, Info. Systems Specialistfsides@regiond.org Ext. 110

Finance & PersonnelLaura Graham, Directorlgraham@regiond.org Ext. 107

Beth Norris, Assist. Finance Officerbnorris@regiond.org Ext. 109

Melanie Johnstone, Accounting Assist.mjohnstone@regiond.org Ext. 103

Planning & DevelopmentPhillip Trew, Directorptrew@regiond.org Ext. 121

Michelle Ball, Community Dev.elopment Plannermball@regiond.org Ext. 115

Jessica Brannock, GIS Plannerjbrannock@regiond.org Ext. 134

Duncan Cavanaugh, Regional Plannerdcavanaugh@regiond.org Ext. 138

Kelly Coffey, Senior Plannerkcoffey@regiond.org Ext. 114

Craig Hughes, Transportation Plannerchughes@regiond.org Ext. 135

Workforce DevelopmentCarole Coates, Directorccoates@regiond.org Ext. 130

Misty Bishop-Price, Youth Systems Mngr.mbishop-price@regiond.org Ext. 119

Rebecca Bloomquist, Special ProjectsCoordinatorrbloomquist@regiond.org Ext. 136

Sherri Dees, Youth Career Coachsdees@regiond.org (336) 651-2540

Drew Edwards, Youth Career Coachdedwards@regiond.org (336) 982-4834

Ruby Greene, Adult Systems Managerrgreene@regiond.org Ext. 129

Don Sherrill, Operations Directordsherril@regiond.org Ext. 120

Adrian Tait, Business Services Coord.atait@regiond.org Ext. 141

Mary Ann Urka, Program Assistantmurka@regiond.org Ext. 118

468 New Market Boulevard �Boone, NC 28607 Phone: (828) 265-5434 Fax: (828) 265-5439

email: regiondcog@regiond.org web: www.regiond.orgHours: M-F 8:30 am-5:00 pm

30

Cover photograph by Tom Fowler, additional photography by HCCOG staff.

31

Serving local member governments with a helpful,

knowledgeable and friendly attitude since 1974

HCCOG Staff

www. regiond .org