Blog

The Employment Security Commission (ESC) will receive federal grants totaling over $1 million so that our Labor Market Information (LMI) division can collect, analyze and disseminate labor market information focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, along with the associated green jobs.

Obviously, we are excited to receive these grants.  It will allow us to identify existing green jobs and the potential for more throughout North Carolina. We can then use this information to enhance our labor exchange function and let our partners know about changes, if any, which may be needed in our state’s job training programs to better equip our labor force and speed the establishment of these kinds of opportunities for the state’s employers.

One of Gov. Perdue’s goals is to grow the number of Green Jobs and related employers as quickly as possible. The information generated by these studies will speed that process. We will use the larger of the two grants — $946,000 — to conduct a Green Jobs survey and to perform research to determine state and local, as well as real-time, Green employment demand.

Another $71,000 grant was awarded to the ESC as part of a multi-state consortium and our LMI division will use that money to assist in modernization of the methodology used to estimate future green job demand. The two efforts will play an important role the ESC’s ability to provide the state’s workforce development and educational partners with the foundational information necessary to implement and enhance effective workforce development strategies that address the needs of North Carolina’s green employers.

Governor Beverly Perdue reported in her Thanksgiving greeting that on Monday she helped deliver the four millionth meal for the Winston-Salem Meals-on-Wheels program of Senior Services, Inc.  She noted that after she delivered the meal, the recipient—Ms. Nancy Hooper (83 years of age)—remarked how thankful she was for the volunteers who visit.

In helping Senior Services celebrate this important service milestone, Governor Perdue recognized several significant local contributors.  First, she honored Mr. Bill Magness, who lost his wife in a senseless incident more than a year and a half ago, when they walked in on a robbery in progress as they were attempting to deliver a meal.  Both the meal recipient and Anne Magness were killed, and Mr. Magness was seriously injured.  Today Mr. Magness is back delivering on that same meals route—at the age of 80.  Richard Gottlieb, President and CEO of Senior Services, asks that we imagine the “courage, grace and spirit” of Mr. Magness’ service.

Governor Perdue then recognized Vic and Roddy Flow for their leadership in eliminating the waiting list for home-delivered meals in Forsyth County.  Thousands are on the wait list for this service statewide but not in Forsyth because of the vision and dedication of such local donors and leaders.  Individuals, the faith community, and foundations fund about half of the meals each year, while federal, state, and local governments provide the other half.

Governor Perdue also thanked two of the original volunteers who helped start the Meals-on-Wheels program in Winston-Salem in 1962—Hellen Prichard and Juanita Gordon.  Forsyth’s program is the oldest home-delivered meals program in the Southeast and the third oldest in the nation.  Currently, more than 1,200 homebound elderly receive assistance through the efforts of more than 1,425 volunteers staffing 66 hot meal routes and 21 frozen meal routes in Forsyth’s Meals-on-Wheels program. 

Home-delivered meals can make the difference in allowing seniors unable to obtain or prepare meals for themselves to remain in the community.  Under the state’s Home and Community Care Block Grant this past year, nearly 17,300 frail seniors received nearly 2.7 million meals.  In the words of a Forsyth meal recipient, “I feel like it helps me to help myself.  It helps keep me at home longer and out of a nursing home.  It helps my daughter to know I have a meal each day while she has to do her job.  It helps me to know there are still people who care enough to do this.”

For more information about home-delivered meals, you can check out the web site of the Division of Aging and Adult Services at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/meals.htm, or contact your Area Agency on Aging, http://www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/aaa.htm.     

I wish you and your family many blessings and a very happy Thanksgiving weekend!  Please travel safely and eat well.  I will be with my family this weekend, and giving thanks for my many blessings. But I will also take a moment to remember those I've met recently who are less fortunate. 

On Monday, I helped deliver the four millionth meal for the Winston-Salem Meals-on-Wheels program.  After I delivered her meal, Ms. Nancy Hooper told me how thankful she is for the volunteers.  It’s more than just a warm meal those dedicated North Carolinians bring — it's a smiling face, a friendly conversation, a little bit of humanity. That can make all the difference. 

On Tuesday, I spent some time at the Raleigh Rescue Mission.  I spoke with many of the people there — some were recovering from addiction and others were unlucky families who are homeless for the holidays.  At the children's development center, I listened to pre-schoolers of homeless mothers.  Despite their situation, they were all able to list something they were thankful for — and there's nothing like the sincerity of a child to brighten your day and give you hope for the future.

Please count your blessings and give thanks this weekend. Remember your friends and neighbors who may be struggling this year; it's a rough time for many North Carolina families, but together, we will get through this. Let's all take inspiration and hope from stories like those from Meals on Wheels and the Rescue Mission — we all have something to be thankful for.

In collaboration with other government agencies and Western North Carolina tourism businesses, chambers of commerce, and economic development agencies, the NC Department of Commerce's Division of Tourism continues to focus energy and resources in response to the I-40 rock slide. Efforts are well underway for additional communications in key markets to be sure prospective travelers understand their access to North Carolina’s mountains is unimpeded during the holiday and winter seasons.

Research conducted by the Division of Tourism, in partnership with the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Biltmore Company, in key markets including Atlanta, Knoxville, Columbia, Greenville/Spartanburg, Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro/Winston-Salem determined that many potential travelers believe the road closure would be a major inconvenience or require a detour for travel to the region.

To stimulate holiday and winter travel to this region and to support the tourism-related businesses that directly benefit from this travel, the Division is implementing a cooperative advertising program to reach key visitor markets for the mountains. The program will include advertising on Metro Radio Networks using a broad range of stations with accessibility as the key to the message.

Yesterday morning, the Governor visited the Raleigh Rescue Mission (RRM), and Executive Director Lynn Daniell gave the Governor a tour of the day-to-day operations of the Mission’s good work.  With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it was a humbling experience to hear the stories of the men, women and children who talked about how grateful they are to have shelter and food.

The Governor spoke to two women who are making great strides to overcome addiction.  One woman told of her one-year progress and shed a few tears of happiness.  Another woman asked the Governor for prayer and thoughts because she was approaching her third month of recovery.  She discussed the difficulties she faces every day, but she also was optimistic that she could beat the addiction and turn her life around.  Both women were grateful to have another chance at RRM.

The Governor visited the children’s development center and listened to the pre-schoolers of homeless mothers talk about what they were thankful for—one child was thankful for a brother and others were thankful for their mothers.  While the Governor listened to the children talk about their blessings and watched them make turkey hats, she saw hope in the eyes of the children and listened to their infectious laughter as they talked about Thanksgiving.

The Governor stopped to listen to every person she met along the tour of the facilities.  She heard their story and learned about their lives, both past and present.  She met a young lady with four children who is determined to complete nursing classes, and working with staff at RRM, it is obvious she will complete her classes and be gainfully employed.  She and the Governor talked about the example she is setting and how it encourages her older children to learn and study.

Then, we were outside where we met a gentleman from Bunn delivering a pickup truck load of collards and turnips.  He said he makes deliveries from his farm weekly to the RRM and that he enjoys giving back to the community and providing food to those in need.  The Governor called him an angel—she called many of the volunteers at the RRM angels.  And we met the guys cooking turkeys to serve on Thanksgiving—must have been 10 turkeys on each large cooker.

The RRM helps more than 6,000 homeless and near-homeless individuals per year (men, women and moms with children) and has a residential capacity per night of about 100 individuals.  About 62 percent of those served at RRM are women and children.  RRM depends very heavily on donations of food, clothing, miscellaneous supplies, medical supplies, etc., and of course, volunteers are needed to supplement the work of a great staff.

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving season, it is important to practice safe food preparation measures when preparing holiday meals. This is a time for good food and fellowship, so you don’t want it marred by food-borne illness.

There are five main tips to remember when preparing food for family and friends: clean, separate, cook, chill and discard. Be sure to wash your hands and cutting surfaces with soap and water often as bacteria can spread from knives, cutting boards and hands. Separate raw and cooked or ready-to-eat foods to prevent the spread of bacteria during preparation and serving. Cooking foods to a high enough temperature for a long enough time will kill harmful bacteria and prevent food-borne illness especially for raw meats, poultry and shellfish. Use a food thermometer when cooking meats and poultry to ensure they reach proper temperatures. Chill or refrigerate leftover foods within two hours. Finally, it is important to discard food left out at room temperature for more than four hours.

If you develop symptoms of food-borne illness such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever, contact your health care provider or local health department. Very young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of developing serious illness, and should visit a health care provider immediately if they develop these symptoms.

For more food preparation tips and tricks for cooking a turkey, go to www.foodsafety.gov. Most companies that produce turkeys also have turkey tip hotlines that provide help for storing, thawing and cooking turkeys.

On Monday, November 23, 2009 the community of Princeton celebrated a National Thanksgiving Turkey Sendoff, Bryant & Debbie Worley greeted folks from all over at their farm to celebrate the Turkey they raised that will be sent to Washington, DC for a Pardon by President Obama.

Courage the turkey will travel to DC to kickoff the Thanksgiving White House Celebration. If for some reason he is unable to fulfill the duties he can rely on his alternate, Carolina. Both Turkeys were raised by the Worley family of the Goldsboro area, Bryant & Debbie’s five grandchildren helped in raising the turkey so it became acclimated to a lot of people, travel and bustle. This bird is ready for the big time!

The celebration included Chairman of the National Turkey Federation, Walter Pelletier and the guest of honor, besides Courage, was NC Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.

After Courage is Pardoned he will fly (via aircraft) to California where he will participate in the 121st Rose Parade and retire at the Walt Disney resort. Not a bad gig for an Eastern Carolina Turkey.

North Carolina is the second largest producer of poultry in the Nation, the work of farmers in North Carolina provides all the fixins for Thanksgiving tables all over America.  Take the time this Holiday Season to thank a farmer, without them Thanksgiving would just not be the same.

In the picture starting from the left: Walter Pelletier, Steve Troxler, Courage the Turkey, Bryant & Debbie Worley

The holiday season is almost upon us, and with tempting treats at our fingertips, many North Carolinians gain between one and five pounds each holiday season. And that’s hard to reverse – most people who gain weight during the holidays never manage to return to their pre-holiday weight.

This year, don’t be afraid of the holidays! To counter holiday weight gain, Eat Smart, Move More NC is gearing up for the fourth annual free Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge. Rather than focusing on trying to lose weight—a difficult task at this time of year—this free six-week challenge is designed to help North Carolinians maintain their pre-holiday weight from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

To sign up for the Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge, go to www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com.

From November 23 through December 31, participants will receive practical tips, recipes and strategies to help them successfully avoid pitfalls leading to holiday weight gain. By recording their activity, meals, snacks and weight, participants are able to track their progress throughout the six-week program.

The Holiday Challenge is open to everyone – those with a few pounds to lose, those who have already lost weight and are looking to keep it off, and those already at a healthy weight.

And it’s free. All you need is an email address.

In 2008, more than 5,400 people from all 100 North Carolina counties and 47 other states took part in the Challenge. At the end of the program, 79% reported maintaining their weight.

The Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge is a part of the Eat Smart, Move More NC movement to increase healthy eating and physical activity wherever North Carolinians live, learn, earn, play and pray. Find out more at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com.

Two of our most frequently asked questions we get at the lottery are how much money has the lottery raised for education and where does the money go. Since inception, the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) has raised over $1.25 billion for the state. In Fiscal Year 2008-2009, the NCEL transferred over $410 million to the State Education Lottery Fund.

The Lottery Act, which was written by the State Legislature, designates that the State Education Lottery Fund be used for these beneficiary programs: More at Four; class size reduction; school construction; and need-based college scholarships. The Department of Public Instruction manages the distribution of the funds for all the beneficiary programs except the college scholarships, which is handled by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

To help answer the questions about where the money goes, the NCEL has produced a beneficiary brochure that breaks down how much each county has received by program. Citizens may either access the brochure on the NCEL website at: http://www.nc-educationlottery.org/uploads/docs/Beneficiary_Brochure_fy2009.pdf or they may call the NCEL player hotline at 1-877-962-7529 to request that a brochure be mailed to them.

Everyone’s mission here at the lottery is to maximize sales and raise as much money as possible for the designated education programs. We are thrilled that in just three years the lottery proceeds have funded over 6,200 teachers; served nearly 54,000 four year olds in More at Four; provided approximately 60,000 need-based college scholarships; and generated over $432 million for school construction and school renovation projects.

They say music creates order out of chaos, and here at the State Surplus Property Agency, we believe it. Until a year ago, we dealt with the weekly cacophony of crowded bid openings, which regularly included a chorus of jangling fax lines for last-minute bids. There was dissonance between bidders who failed to complete their bids accurately and staffers obligated to follow every note on the page.

All that racket might have inspired Stravinsky but, to be honest, it drove us a little nuts.

Today, thanks to electronic bidding, we enjoy the silence, as the system processes data and identifies the highest bidders – and even notifying them – from our pool of more than 13,000 pre-screened, registered bidders. There are no more arguments about a smudged or “intended” entry that looks like a different number. And there is an increase in the number of transactions completed and items claimed.

Even in difficult economic times, our online sealed bid system has generated a steady stream of revenue – more than $11.4 million since October 2008 – from the sale of surplus goods that helps to refill state coffers.

It is, if I may say so, music to my ears. As we celebrate the first anniversary of this system, we again sing the praises of our colleagues at Management Information Systems, Dell Pinkston and her staff in particular, whose hard work streamlined and improved the speed and accuracy of the bidding process. We look forward to introducing additional improvements in the future.