On Aug. 14, 2024, the National Association of Development Organizations announced the winners of the 2024 NADO Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards. The NADO Impact Awards recognize creative approaches to the advancement of regional economic development and the improvement of quality of life. This year, only 97 projects from across the country were recognized, with the Lumber River Council of Governments receiving three of these awards.
The Lumber River Council of Governments received awards for its Lumber River Supplemental Services Subscription Program, Lumber River Wetlands Restoration Study, and Lumber River Resilient Roads Study.
David Richardson, executive director of the Lumber River Council of Governments, stated, “The Lumber River Council of Governments is delighted to be recognized for the fifth consecutive year by the National Association of Development Organizations for the creative approaches that our agency is taking to impact our member governments and the citizens of our five-county region, including Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties.”
The Lumber River Council of Governments’ Aging Division was recognized for its Supplemental Services Subscription Program in Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties. The program provided incontinence supplies including adult diapers and wipes, as well as liquid nutrition products throughout the five-county region to unpaid family caregivers. The program has provided more than 1,600 items since October 2023.
The Lumber River Council of Governments’ Local Governments Services Division was recognized for its Lumber River Wetlands Restoration Study. This work examined potential areas for wetland restoration or wetland development across Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties that may be utilized to alleviate the impacts of significant flooding across the region.
The Lumber River Council of Governments’ Local Governments Services Division was also recognized for its Lumber River Resilient Roads Study. This study identified key transportation corridors during disasters across Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties that are susceptible to flooding. The study also worked to identify potential solutions and funding opportunities to make these routes more resilient.
The LRCOG provides an array of programs and services to the member governments located within its region: Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties. It serves as an administrative and service delivery arm for federal, state, regional, and local programs of its member governments.
