12 | ReCOGnition Newsletter
Area Agency on Aging Advertises Medicare Savings Programs The High Country Area Agency on Aging has been marketing the Medicare Savings Program and Low Income Subsidy available under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). MIPPA was enacted in 2008, in part, to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries access programs to make Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and prescription medications more affordable. There are many circumstances that force older and disabled adults to choose between paying for health care costs or paying for food and utilities. By calling your local SHIIP (Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program) office or Department of Social Services, you may find that you or your loved one qualifies for some assistance. The Area Agency on Aging recently sent out a targeted, direct mailing to potentially eligible households. For more information on how and where to apply for assistance, contact Diane Tilson (dtilson@regiond.org; 828-265-5434 x141).
2016 High Country COG Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy The High Country Council of Governments Executive Board adopted the 2016 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) on August 15, 2016. The CEDS is developed to provide guidance to HCCOG and its member local governments in all areas of economic development. The document is required by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) for HCCOG to maintain its designation as an Economic Development District. The CEDS is used as a basis for guiding EDA financial investment in the High Country region.
2016 High Country COG CEDS available online www.regiond.org
To gather input on the CEDS, HCCOG staff held local input meetings in each County. At the meetings, stakeholders provided input on current programs and projects, infrastructure needs, workforce capacity, business climate, and recommended strategies. Stakeholders included local government staff, NC Cooperative Extension agents, USDA Rural Development staff, Chamber of Commerce Directors, Community College Presidents, ASU staff, High Country Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) members, private-sector business owners, and commercial lenders. The CEDS also incorporates elements of other local, regional, and State plans related to economic development, infrastructure, and workforce development. The HCWDB serves as the CEDS Strategy Committee, guiding development of the CEDS and making formal recommendation for its adoption. The CEDS contains socio-economic data for the region, information on existing infrastructure, description on industry clusters, a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) Analysis, and six economic development goals. The document’s Action Plan includes 80 specific recommendations, organized within the following six economic development foundations – Workforce, Physical Infrastructure, Tourism, Industry, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Agriculture. The Action Plan also includes recommendations on economic resiliency, and a list of regional priorities. HCCOG will begin a 5-year update of the CEDS in Fall 2020. Questions or comments on the CEDS can be directed to Phil Trew, Director of Planning and Development, (828) 265-5434 ext. 121, ptrew@regiond.org.