On April 9, 2019, more than 120 leaders from across North Carolina are anticipated at the Lumber River Council of Governments in Pembroke for the North Carolina Disaster Recovery Roundtable. The event is an opportunity for community leaders to learn about the recovery process and rebuilding after a disaster. It will provide a targeted discussion on cost of recovery and financial concerns of disaster recovery.
The event has been coordinated through a partnership between the Lumber River Council of Governments, Triangle J Council of Governments, Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, the National Association of Counties, the International City Managers Association, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and the University of North Carolina School of Governments. The day will include sessions starting at 10 a.m. presented by well-respected leaders within the field of disaster recovery including Gavin Smith, PhD, of N.C. State University; Norma Houston, of UNC School of Government; Mary Glasscock, of N.C. Division of Emergency Management; and Jim Prosser, former executive director of Centralina Council of Governments.
The day will conclude with a resource fair at 3 p.m. for attendees to speak with representatives from various disaster recovery organizations about long-term disaster planning and recovery. Resource fair participants are anticipated to include the N.C. Department of Emergency Management/N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency, Economic Development Administration Disaster Recovery Coordinators, Economic Development Administration Grants and Technical Assistance, Golden LEAF Foundation, International Economic Development Council, University of North Carolina- NC Growth, N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Broadband Infrastructure Office, N.C. Rural Center and Thread Capital, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
David Richardson, executive director of the Lumber River Council of Governments, explained that the organization is delighted to have the opportunity to present this valuable, relevant, and critical information to not only representatives of Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties, but to individuals from across North Carolina, especially in light of the recent hurricanes our region has encountered.
