From Data Notes by Central Pines Rural Planning Organization (CPRPO) In a March 23, 2022 post, Dr. Michael Cline, NC's State Demographer provided an explanation of the difference between population count, estimates, and projections-- Dr. Cline started with "Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau conducts a census – a full count of the population, with the goal of counting everyone once, only one...

The transportation industry has benefited from moving toward a diversified and more efficient fuel solution. Propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are gaining traction as viable alternatives to gasoline and diesel. These fuels offer environmental and economic benefits, reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels while lowering emissions. But what exactly are propane and CNG vehicles...

Curious about Electric Vehicles (EVs)? Want to test drive one? Interested in the latest clean energy initiatives in the Triangle? Join us this spring for two exciting Ride & Drive events! Triangle Clean Cities is partnering with the City of Durham to bring electric vehicle test drives to two of Durham's biggest spring festivals: 1) Earth Day and 2) the Bimbe Block Party! These events offer a hands...

Since the change in Federal Administration, there has been a great deal of attention on government efficiency and federal spending. While the debate around spending continues in Washington, D.C., the direct impacts of actual, planned, and perceived federal cuts have already begun to significantly and potentially negatively impact our region’s economy. On February 13, 2025, RTI International...

There has been quite a bit of interest lately in the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG), informally known as CPRG. We wanted to answer a few of your burning questions and highlight work that is completed, underway, or upcoming. What exactly is CPRG? Who is funding it and how is Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) involved? CPRG is a two-stage program funded by the US Environmental...

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final rules on elective pay (otherwise known as “direct pay”). Elective pay is an important mechanism in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that helps enable state, local, and Tribal governments; non-profit organizations; Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories; and other entities to take advantage of clean energy...

All local governments that received State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), must submit reports to the U.S. Treasury by April 30, 2024. For many local governments, this ARPA reporting period will cover activity from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. Here are a few tips and reminders to consider as you prepare to submit this report: Local governments...

Recruiting and retaining talent has become a major challenge for many industries and career fields, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local governments in the Central Pines region faces unique hurdles, including limited funding for marketing open positions, a lack of public trust, and a general disinterest or confusion about local government careers. Despite these challenges, the...

The 205j Grant Program is one way to fund the development of a 9-Element Watershed Action Plan or Restoration Plan. These plans are important because the state is moving to a model where only projects in watersheds that have a 9-element plan are eligible for 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant funds. Want to know if your area is already covered by a watershed action plan? See this map! Below is...

Effective September 12, 2023, our organization fully transitioned from Triangle J Council of Governments to Central Pines Regional Council. Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) is now Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) and we have a new look! We are so excited to integrate the North Carolina state tree, the pine tree, into our name. We chose the pine tree not only because the pine tree is...

There is not a “one size fits all” model for implementation of micromobility and microtransit initiatives. Each of our local government members have special needs and face complex challenges. However, micromobility and microtransit modes are rapidly expanding to help cover “the last mile” and provide an option to communities who are often underserved by public transit, so it is important that...