The Southwestern Commission Council of Governments (the Southwestern Commission) is planning multiple public engagement activities and stakeholder consultations to develop an Allocation Plan that will detail community priorities for use of the region’s Home Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funding. This supplemental funding is part of The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, … Read more
The Southwestern Commission is seeking the professional planning services of a qualified consultant to explore approaches to Resilience Planning for the 7-County Region. This effort will be conducted in Phases, and this Request for Proposals is for services conducted in Phase I, which will seek to identify hazards and community assets for subsequent assessments, planning, … Read more
The Southwestern NC HOME Consortium is accepting public comment for its Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. This public comment period will remain open until November 11, 2022, at 5:00 PM. The report is available below: Southwestern NC HOME Consortium CAPER
The Southwestern Commission serves as the Economic Development District for the U.S. Economic Development Administration. One of the functions that we carry out as part of that role is to create the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region. The plan is a 5-year strategy, and updates are completed annually to reflect implementation and … Read more
An important reporting deadline is approaching regarding the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program. The Project and Expenditure Report is due April 30, 2022. For many local governments, this will mark the first time filing reports with the U.S. Treasury. It is crucial that all North Carolina cities … Read more
It’s no secret that broadband connectivity is a challenge in western North Carolina, directly affecting the education system. But the Southwestern Commission is working with our regional partners to alleviate some of those challenges. In the last quarter of 2021, more than $180,000 was distributed across project sites in six counties for public internet access. … Read more
Forty students in the Clay County school system are sporting new Chromebooks to assist with their academic growth, thanks to a grant from the Southwestern Commission. The $55,000 grant also enabled the County to expand broadband capabilities out to the Clay County Recreational Park. The Rec Park is used by numerous families with children throughout … Read more
Eighty Graham County students are sporting new Chromebooks to assist in their academic growth, thanks to a grant from the Southwestern Commission. The $30,000 Graham County award was one of six projects the Southwestern Commission funded within its service area, which includes the seven far-westernmost counties in North Carolina. The state of North Carolina awarded … Read more
Swain County residents can now find a new hotspot to connect to at the Swain County Recreational Park, thanks to a grant from the Southwestern Commission. Leonard Winchester, a member of the Swain County Broadband Committee, says the addition of a hotspot at the Swain Rec Park is an ideal location. “It’s conveniently located, everybody knows … Read more
The new year brings free Wi-Fi internet to downtown Sylva, providing a safe, public space for students and residents who may not have access in their homes, and allowing visitors to stay in town longer. The new service is a result of a partnership between SkyFi, Inc., BalsamWest, the Southwestern Commission, Jackson County Economic Development, … Read more