Seeking Proposals for Resilience Planning Process — Phase II

The Southwestern Commission is seeking the professional planning services of a qualified consultant to explore approaches to Resilience Planning for the 7-County Region (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties in North Carolina).  The Southwest region is vulnerable to multiple hazards, and Phase II of this Resilience Planning effort is the continuation of … Read more

Request for Proposals – Strategic Plan for Opioid Settlement Funds

The Southwestern Commission requests proposals to create a strategic plan for the utilization of opioid settlement funds for Region A. Geographic area to be served: The Region A counties in North Carolina to include Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain. Background: In the summer of 2021, national settlements were reached with opioid distributors … Read more

Input Needed to Prioritize Community Needs for Housing Funding

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

Seeking Proposals for Resilience Planning Process

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

Public Comment for HOME Consortium CAPER Report

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

Request for Proposals – Grant Writing Services

The Southwestern Commission invites qualified candidates to submit proposals for contractual grant writing services.  The Commission is seeking to contract with an individual or firm that specializes in the writing and management of the overall grant process and can assist the Commission to maximize the benefits of grant funding and augment the work already being … Read more

2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

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

AAA Discusses the Elder Abuse Awareness Walks

On May 26, several members of the Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging staff were able to take part in a radio session on WKRK.  Lisa Allen, Health and Community Educator, and Anna Rogers, Long-term Care Regional Ombudsman, joined Denise Cross, Director of Cherokee County Senior Services, to discuss the topic of elder abuse in order … Read more

Rural Transformation Grants Now Available

The NC Department of Commerce has announced a new funding program– Rural Transformation Grants.  Applications for these grants are due on May 2, 2022, and they should be submitted through the Rural Connect Portal. Rural Transformation Grants can support: Main Street and downtown investment and revitalization efforts; Initiatives that help create resilient neighborhoods; Community enhancements … Read more

Anna Rogers Shares Visitation Guidance on WKRK

Anna Rogers, Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Southwestern Commission’s Area Agency on Aging, was recently a guest on the WKRK radio show.  Anna joined Denise Cross, Cherokee County Senior Services Director, to talk about Visitation Guidance for Assisted Living Facilities. The full audio file of the show is available below: