RESOURCES

Staff
Nathan Ramsey
Executive Director

Danna Stansbury
Deputy Executive Director

Social Media

COVID-19 Resources and Updates

COVID-19 Weekly Response Meetings

March 18, 2021 featuring an update about the $130 million in local government relief that counties and cities/towns in our region will receive from the American Recovery Act. Representatives from the NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and the NC League of Municipalities (NCLM) will share the details about this funding. Audio

March 11, 2021 featuring an update about our local and state economy from Dr. Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor & Extension Economist, NC State University. Audio

December 10, 2020 featuring an update from the Economic Development Partnership of NC about their upcoming Onward As One Western Prosperity Zone meeting on Thursday, December 17. Audio • EDPNC Presentation

December 3, 2020 featuring an update from NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell. Treasurer Folwell oversees over $100 billion in the NC pension fund as well as the Local Government Commission, State Health Plan and other functions of the Treasurer's office. Audio

November 19, 2020 featuring an update from Land of Sky Regional Council. Audio

November 12, 2020 featuring an update from ABCCM Veterans Services of the Carolinas about their work to support veterans including Transformation Village and Veterans Restoration Quarters. Audio

November 5, 2020 featuring a federal/state legislative policy report and a presentation by NC State University's Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership. Audio

October 29, 2020 featuring an update about Pratt & Whitney's decison to locate in our region. Clark Duncan, Vice President of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Deborah Wright, Vice President at AB Tech will share the details and how this project has the potential to be a game-changing announcement for Western North Carolina. Audio

October 22, 2020 featuring an update from Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the NC State Board of Elections about voting in North Carolina. Audio

October 15, 2020 featuring a discussion about substance use disorders and how this health pandemic is impacting those with addiction. Audio

October 8, 2020 featuring an update from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce about the upcoming WNC Career Expo and a regional transportation update from the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization at Land of Sky Regional Council. Audio

October 1, 2020 featuring a Manufacturing Day program about companies who have pivoted to the production of PPE during the COVID-19 heatlh pandemic. Companies featured include Kitsbow in McDowell County, Sylvan Sport in Transylvania County and Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Haywood County. Audio

September 24, 2020 featuring a broadband presentation by Sara Nichols, Regional Planner with Land of Sky Regional Council. Audio • GREAT Grant Eligible Areas Map

September 17, 2020 featuring an update from Dr. Michael L. Walden. Dr. Walden is the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University and a member of the Graduate Economics faculty with The Poole College of Management. Audio

September 3, 2020 featuring a discussion about affordable housing and the pending eviction crisis. Audio

August 27, 2020 featuring and update from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Vice President. Audio • National and Regional Economic Update Presentation

August 20, 2020 featuring a discussion of childcare access with representatives from Buncombe Partnership of Children and the Children & Family Resource Center. Audio

August 13, 2020 featuring updates from the Governor's Census Liaison, NC Office of State Budget and Management (NC OSMB), and the Vice President for Strategic Development with Biltmore Farms LLC. Audio

August 6, 2020 featuring an update from the region's public health officials. Audio

July 30, 2020 featuring updates from our local school systems including Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools, Henderson County Schools and Franklin School of Innovation. Audio

July 23, 2020 featuring our region's municipalities and the impact of COVID-19 on their jurisdictions. Audio

July 16, 2020 featuring updates from Buncombe County, Henderson County, Madison County and Transylvania County. Audio

July 9, 2020 featuring update from several of our local state legislators depending on tomorrow’s legislative calendar. Audio

June 25, 2020 featuring a representative from Business Services, NC Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions - Audio

June 18, 2020 featuring representatives from NC Small Business Administration (SBA) District and National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) - Audio

June 11, 2020 featuring representatives from our region's higher education leaders and how our local universities and colleges are responding to the challenges presented by this global health pandemic and economic crisis. Audio

June 4, 2020 featuring Chris Chung, CEO, Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC) - Audio

May 21, 2020 featuring representatives from MANNA Food Bank and the NC Department of Commerce - Audio

May 14, 2020 featuring representatives from The Supply Connector and COVID Mobilize as well as representatives from local schools who will discuss student mental health during these challenging times - Audio - COVIDMobilize Presentation

covidmobilize.com - supplyconnector.org

May 7, 2020 featuring a legislative update and economic developers from our region - Audio - Chat Box

April 30, 2020 featuring our region's public school superintendents and leaders - Audio

April 23, 2020 featuring Graham Fields and Staff from AdventHealth Hendersonville - Audio - AdventHealth Community Letter - How To Handwash - Employee Screening Sheet - Use of Cloth Face Coverings

April 16, 2020 featuring representatives of Dogwood Health Trust, NC County Commissioners Association (NCACC) and the NC League of Municipalities (NCLM), state legislators, local government leaders - Audio - NC Association of County Commissioners COVID-19 Revenue and Budget Updates - NLC & USCM The Economy and Cities: What America's Local Leaders Are Seeing

April 9, 2020 featuring US Senator Thom Tillis and NC State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson - Audio (starts at 24 second mark)

WNC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply Chain Update - Western Carolina Medical Society

Smart Restart Toolkit

A section-by-section of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

A summary of the emergency appropriations for coronavirus health response and agency operations.

The focus of Land of Sky Regional Council is supporting our region's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and the resulting economic crisis. The offices of Land of Sky Regional Council are closed to the general public effective at 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 19, 2020 until further notice to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidance regarding COVID-19 mitigation. All meetings conducted by Land of Sky Regional Council will be conducted by remote participation consistent with NC open meetings law (Coates' Canons: NC Local Government Law). All program work will take place remotely and staff is teleworking when possible.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of resources pertaining to the COVID-19 response. This guide will be updated regularly.

National Updates - Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
North Carolina Updates - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services - North Carolina Health News
World Health Organization COVID-19 Resource Page
John Hopkins University COVID-19 Map

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Publications
Coping During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During an Infectious Disease Outbreak

Government

National League of Cities - Coronavirus Response Resources for Local Leaders
usa.gov - Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19
International City/County Management Association - Coronavirus Resources: Plan and Prepare Now Before it Hits Your Community
NC League of Municipalities - COVID-19 Resources

County Specific Resources

We want to encourage you to be proactive in your efforts to prevent the spread of sickness as well. For more information, get the latest reports and safety suggestions from your county.

Buncombe County
Henderson County
Madison County
Transylvania County

Information for Older Adults

ACL's (Administration for Community Living) COVID-19 Resource Page

Many regional services and supports for older adults are closed due to COVID-19 including congregate and nutrition sites, senior centers, health/wellness classes, volunteer services, and adult day care centers. All aging providers are making wellness checks on a regular basis.

At this time, the Long Term Care Ombudsmen are working with residents, facility staff, and community members by phone and email. If you need the assistance of a long term care ombudsman, contact:

Cori Search, Ombudsman for Henderson, Madison, and Buncombe counties.
cori@landofsky.org or 828.251.7433
Telle King, Ombudsman for Transylvania and Buncombe counties
telle@landofsky.org or 828.251.7430

Questions related to Land of Sky Regional Council aging programs, call the Area Agency on Aging at 828.251.7436.

NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina is the best resource for people to call for assistance related to the COVID-19 coronavirus. This includes older adults and caregivers. NC 2-1-1 can refer callers to the organizations in their local community best equipped to address their specific health and human services needs including food, shelter, energy assistance, housing, parenting resources, health care, employment, substance abuse treatment, as well as specific resources for older adults and for persons with disabilities, and much more. 2-1-1 or TTY 888.892.1162 for assistance.

NC Baptist Aging Ministry Hope Line: 866.578.4673

The national Disaster Distress Helpline crisis counseling & emotional support continues to be available for anyone experiencing distress or other mental health concerns during the ongoing COVID-19 infectious disease outbreak. Call 1-800-985-5990 (press "2" for Spanish).

Resources for Caregivers:

"Lets Talk COVID" – tip sheet designed for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities; created by the Washington State Council on Developmental Disabilities
COVID-19 Resources for Caregivers and Older Adults—compilation site of resources, articles, etc.; curated by the John A. Hartford Foundation—updated earlier today
FAQs on Medicare and COVID19—question/answer listing related to Medicare coverage of COVID-19 needs; developed by the Kaiser Family Foundation
COVID Terminology –alphabetic listing of terminology specific to COVID-19; also developed by the Kaiser Family Foundation
COVID-19 Resources for Advocates —catalog of resources for advocates of older adults/caregivers; developed by Justice in Aging
Professional Self-care During COVID19—tips for professionals—specifically social workers as we navigate this pandemic; developed by the National Association of Social Workers
"Love Thy Neighbor Now" –article with ideas for breaking down social isolation during COVID19; written by PBS-Next Avenue
COVID-19 Respite Resources–compilation of articles and ideas regarding respite during this pandemic; compiled by ARCH, being updated often

Job Seekers and Unemployment

Employer Re-opening Guide

Companies Now Hiring - English - Spanish - Updated December 2020

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, beginning Monday, March 23, 2020 the NCWorks Career Centers will be closed to the public/walk in customers. NCWorks Career Center staff will continue to report to work as normal. Employers and Job Seekers are welcome to call the NCWorks Career Centers during normal business hours from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Questions regarding unemployment insurance benefits should be directed to the NC Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security.

Rules to apply for and obtain unemployment benefits in North Carolina are being scaled back to help people whose jobs have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Roy Cooper said Tuesday. Click here to apply for unemployment.

Contact your NCWorks Career Centers:
Asheville - 828.251.6200
Henderson County - 828.694.1755
Madison County - 828.782.2632
Transylvania County - 828.883.2550

Transportation

Mountain Mobility has worked diligently to balance the need for transportation with the mandate for social distancing and self-isolation. In addition to updated and more strenuous cleaning procedures of all vehicles, we have also asked our passengers to postpone any unnecessary travel and to check with their destination to make sure it is open or, in the case of medical appointments, if the physician still wants the passenger to come to the office, prior to scheduling their trips. We have seen a drop in overall trips of close to 50%, which is a positive step to keep our community safe and healthy. At this time, there is no plan to cut service unless absolutely necessary. We understand it is a difficult time for our most vulnerable passengers who must travel with us in order to get necessary food and supplies when they know staying home is the best option for their health and safety; however, Mountain Mobility is committed to assisting our passengers and community in any way possible. Please reach out to Vicki Jennings, Mountain Mobility Program Manager here at Land of Sky, with questions or concerns.

FTA Emergency Relief Docket for Public Transit

Broadband

In response to COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus, many North Carolina residents are being asked to work and learn remotely. To help ensure they can access high-speed internet, we have compiled a list of new and existing free or affordable service offerings from vendors in our region.

Many of our local cellular and broadband providers are participating in Chairman Pai’s pledge to help keep people connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact the local provider in your area for additional information.

WNC without internet access - We have developed a WiFi Lot Map that will help more folks find locations to do homework, business, and healthcare. If you have a facility that could offer this service we'd love to help with that too.

Federal Communications Commission - Chairman Pai Launches the Keep Americans Connected Pledge
NC Broadband Response
Charter 60-day Spectrum
Comporium 60-day - Call 1-888-403-2667 or contact customer service team.
AT&T

Businesses and Economic Development

Small Business Resources: A Guide for WNC Business Owners During COVID-19

Asheville Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19 Business Resources
Small Business Administration - SBA COVID-19 Disaster Assistance
Economic Development Partnership of NC - NC Business Relief Resources
Mountain BizWorks - COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loans and Reduced-Cost Tools for Remote Work
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina - Emergency and Disaster Response Fund

Small Business Loans

Thread Capital (NC Rural Center) - (919) 212-4950 - connect@threadcap.org
Sequoyah Fund - (828) 359-5006
Mountain BizWorks - (828) 253-2834
Small Business Administration
Self-Help Credit Union - Telephone: (800) 476-7428
Carolina Small Business Development Fund - (919) 803-1437
NC Community Development Initiative - (919) 828-5655