Alabama Association of Regional Councils

Regional Councils in Partnership Throughout Alabama

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NARCOG June News

JUNE NEWS:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NARCOG has been busy submitting grant applications, helping older adults stay active and healthy, introducing new career opportunities, and more. Check out what we’ve been doing in June!
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 Lawrence County Awarded $1.5MLawrence County was recently awarded $1.5 Million in Community Development Block Grant funds to support a solar energy project. First Solar, Inc. will be producing solar panels and offering the community 715 jobs. The company is expected to be up and running by 2025.
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Masters GamesThe recently concluded District Events of Masters Games of Alabama took place throughout the month of June in various cities over North Alabama. Adults 50 and older were encouraged to get up and get active. This Olympic-like game brings not only competition but also fun and fellowship. Game winners have a chance to compete at State Games.
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Business Opens with Help from USDA-RBEG LoanSmith Lake Zip Lines has officially held their grand opening, and invites guests to partake in adventures in the trees. This company used a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Enterprise Grant, prepared by NARCOG, to fund this dream.
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TRIO Wins Senior Meals ContractAlabama Department of Senior Services has announced that TRIO Community Meals won a meal contract and will be the official meal provider for over 300 senior centers across Alabama, with 22 being in the NARCOG Region.
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SCSEP SpotlightNARCOG partners with the Center of Workforce Inclusion to provide work to older adults through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan County.
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Hospital to Home TransitionNARCOG recently added a new position under the Medicaid Waiver Program, a Hospital to Home (H2H) Transition Coordinator. The goal of the H2H program is to help older adults and individuals with disabilities return to the community and remain in the community safely while reducing long-term placement and re-hospitalization.
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Upcoming and Past Aging EventsBingocize and the Aquatics Program are officially in full swing and open to the public. Wellness classes offered through NARCOG are free! Join us July 21st for the Morgan County Senior Health Fair at the Hartselle Civic Center.
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Senior Centers to Receive Picnic TablesNARCOG is in the process of providing eight-foot picnic tables to all 22 senior centers in our Region to promote outdoor time and increase attendance. 
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Your TARCOG E-Newsletter for July

Annual Report: Our Impact in 2022
Last year, TARCOG made a difference in the lives of more than 700,000 residents throughout our five-county region. Whether providing legal assistance to our seniors or securing funding for our economic development partners, we helped strengthen this region through our work every day.
Our impact in 2022 was significant, and the results speak for themselves. Check out the full Annual Report to learn even more about how we’re serving the region.Read the Report 
Serving People: Welcome to Sheila Dessau-Ivey, Director of Aging Programs!
We are pleased to introduce Sheila M. Dessau-Ivey, MSSA, LICSW, as TARCOG’s new Director of Aging Programs.
Sheila has dedicated the last 30 years of her career to advocating for and protecting elder rights while supporting case management, geriatric social work, and program development services throughout the Greater Cleveland, Ohio, area. 		Sheila is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW, Alabama) and a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (LICSW-S, Ohio). She holds a B.S. in Social Work from Tuskegee University and an M.S. in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.
At TARCOG, Sheila oversees all operations, services, and programs that assist with improving the quality of life for older citizens throughout our region. 
Sheila relocated to Madison, Alabama, after marrying her husband, Winston. In her free time, she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, reading, watching movies, and spending time with her 11-year-old Maltese, Bentley. 
Please join us in welcoming Sheila to the TARCOG team!
Explore Our Aging Programs
Improving Communities: New Geospatial Analysis Services
Have you heard the news? We have expanded our geospatial services to include onsite, real-time data collection with drone and Trimble capabilities. These new tools enable our GIS specialists to collect aerial and point data and allow them to map and analyze our region in more detail than ever before.
To learn more about our expanded geospatial and mapping services, or to discuss potential drone or Trimble projects, contact James King, Associate Planner, at james.king@tarcog.us or 256-326-6105.
Learn More About Our Community Planning Services
Growing Our Economy: Jackson County Receives Funds for Comprehensive Planning
Our Economic Development & Planning team worked closely with partners in Jackson County to apply for $150,000 of U.S. Economic Development Administration funds for a countywide comprehensive plan. Beginning later this summer, the planning effort will enable Jackson County to define its vision and strategically plan for future growth.
Areas for assessment include infrastructure, housing, business and industry needs, school system and workforce development needs, outdoor recreation, tourism opportunities, and more.
Are you working on your own economic development project? Click below to learn more about how TARCOG can help. 
Discover Our Economic Development Programs
Upcoming Events Virtual Dementia Tour Multiple dates, July 11 – August 249 a.m. – 11 a.m.Multiple locations
The Virtual Dementia Tour is a hands-on experience that provides an understanding of the physical and mental challenges of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. 
Click below for more details, or contact the DeKalb County Council on Aging at 256-845-8593.

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TARCOG’s Monthly News

 Welcome to TARCOG!
We are pleased to bring you TARCOG’s new monthly e-newsletter. You will find updates about current projects, announcements of upcoming events, and information about the impact we are having in our communities.
Our website is also new and improved, redesigned to help you find the information you need.
TARCOG exists to serve as a unifying regional partner that helps improve the quality of life throughout northeast Alabama. We are proud to serve you, and we look forward to building a stronger region together. Visit Our Website 
Serving People: Celebrating Older Americans Month
Observed every May, Older Americans Month was first established in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country.
To celebrate Older Americans Month this year, TARCOG staff assisted with events in all five county regions: Jackson County: Luau on the Lake on May 5; Madison County: 24th Annual Retirement Lifestyle Expo on May 9; Marshall County: Older Americans Festival, Football Blast on May 11; Limestone County: Countywide Bingo on May 12; DeKalb County: Countywide Bingo on May 17.		Each event was highly successful with great staff support and community involvement. A total of 1,730 seniorsattended events across the five-county region. 
The events were also supported by community leaders, including Mac McCutcheon, Chairman of the Madison County Commission; Collin Daly, Chairman of the Limestone County Commission; and Nick Nyberg with the Alabama Department of Senior Services.
These events were made possible by our partners throughout the region: Jackson County Council on Aging, Studio 60 Senior Center, Marshall County Council on Aging, Limestone County Council on Aging, DeKalb County Council on Aging, and Fort Payne Parks and Recreation.
We look forward to next year’s Older Americans Month celebrations!
Growing Our Economy: How We’re Helping Our Community
Our Economic Development & Planning (ED&P) team provides an array of services to local governments and acts as an advocate for partners and citizens throughout the region. Check out some of our recent successes: 
U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) Receives Funds for New Space Camp Operations CenterThe ED&P team helped the USSRC receive $1 million of Appalachian Regional Commission funds to support expanded STEM-based programming for Space Camp. The funds will be used to purchase equipment for a new, state-of-the-art Space Camp Operations Center, where students will train in aviation, aeronautics, robotics, cyber, and related career pathways.
Pryor Field Regional Airport Receives Funds for New Industry GrowthWith help from the ED&P team, partners in Limestone County received $1 million of Community Development Block Grant Economic Development funding and $1 million of Appalachian Regional Commission Southern Aviation and Automotive Workforce funding. Along with local matching funds, these grants will enable the Pryor Field Regional Airport to extend the wastewater system to the airfield. The project will leverage $25 million in private investment and create 250 well-paying aviation-related jobs in Limestone County.		TARCOG Initiates Regional Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action PlanThe TARCOG Rural Planning Organization received $400,000 of U.S. Department of Transportation funding to conduct a regional transportation safety plan for all municipalities in the service area. The action plan is a requirement of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. All participating jurisdictions will be eligible to apply for SS4A implementation funding. This region-wide planning effort will address transportation safety issues across the TARCOG region.
Learn More About Our ED&P Programs and Services
Save the Dates2nd Annual PEACE Conference & Fraud Summit
Wednesday, June 288 a.m. – 3 p.m.First Baptist Church of Huntsville
The PEACE Conference (Preventing Elder Abuse and Criminal Exploitation) & Fraud Summit is open to the public. CEUs will be offered, and lunch will be provided. Registration opens in June. 
Check the TARCOG website for more details coming soon! 
See Our Events CalendarMasters Games of Alabama, District 2
June 14 & 16Athens Rec Center in Athens, AL
June 20Monrovia Community Center in Huntsville, AL
June 22Brahan Springs Rec Center in Huntsville, AL
June 26AMF Pin Palace Bowling Lanes in Huntsville, AL
Come cheer on the District 2 teams for the Masters Games! All events are free to attend.
For more information, contact Emily McCamy at 256-845-8590. 

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MAY NEWS: Community Impact from NARCOG

Celebrating Older AmericansOn May 10, 2023, NARCOG hosted the Annual Older Americans Month Luau. Over 500 seniors from Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan County attended. Various organizations in the community sponsored this event to provide seniors with fun and games.
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Pop-Up Shop USDA GrantThe USDA Rural Business Development Grant will offer Pop-Ups, coaching, and education for rural entrepreneurs in Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan Counties. South Vinemont and Somerville will execute a “Pop-Up” event that will support existing businesses in the area.
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Aging & Disability Resource CenterThe Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) assists with questions on aging, disabilities, and caregiving. This program, known as One Door Alabama, provides free information, counseling, and access to programs and services provided by the Alabama Department of Senior Services.
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Accelerate Business Growth FundLocal realtor Chase Grisham recently purchased a fire station, home to the Decatur Fire & Rescue Engine Company 5 since 1960, as his new home base office. This was possible with a traditional loan from the Accelerate Business Growth Fund provided through NARCOG.
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Senior Center Pallet GardensNutrition is an essential part of healthy living, especially as individuals age. Therefore, NARCOG is supplying pallet gardens for senior centers in Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan Counties. Gardens will include easy-to-grow vegetables and Marigolds for centers to enjoy.
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Eva Receives CDBG FundsGovernor Kay Ivey recently awarded the Town of Eva $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to expand the town’s sewer system on Eva Road. This project will allow local company, J and J Fiber, to expand their company and hire at least 10 new employees.
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Upcoming and Past Aging EventsAlong with Bingocize, Wellness Coordinator Stephanie King is introducing a new Aquatics Class starting June 7, 2023. This program is free to the public and is suitable for every fitness level. NARCOG will continue to attend or host health and community fairs.
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Improve the FCC Broadband MapThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently released an interactive map that shows where Internet service providers say they deliver broadband. Errors were found in the map with missing addresses and overstating the availability of service at specific locations.
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Celebrating GraduatesNARCOG celebrates three team members for continuing their high education and graduating earlier this month. One received her Associate’s Degree from Calhoun Community College, and two received their Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Alabama.
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