Reflections from the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum

At the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water, one theme was clear: water infrastructure is essential to economic performance.

Water systems may not always be visible, but they matter. Businesses need dependable water and sewer service to operate and expand. When systems are outdated or unreliable, growth becomes harder. When they are strong and well maintained, communities are more competitive.

Infrastructure Readiness Shapes Investment Decisions

Site selectors and expanding industries consistently evaluate infrastructure capacity alongside workforce and land availability. Questions about treatment capacity, regulatory compliance, flood risk, and long-term system sustainability directly influence where jobs go.

Communities that invest proactively in water infrastructure position themselves for growth. Those that defer upgrades risk higher long-term costs, not only financially, but economically.

Governor Josh Stein’s remarks at the forum reinforced this connection, highlighting continued statewide investment in drinking water and wastewater systems as essential to protecting both public health and economic vitality.

Governor Stein also referenced several strategies for strengthening water infrastructure recommended by the Institute for Emerging Issues Water Infrastructure Advisory Council. 

Together, these strategies recognize that reliable water systems are not only an environmental or public works priority, but are also essential to economic growth and community stability across the state. 

These include improving regional collaboration among water systems, modernizing infrastructure standards to better withstand future conditions, investing in the next generation of water professionals, strengthening the financial sustainability of water utilities, and encouraging innovation and data-driven solutions in water management.

Planning for Future Conditions — Not Past Assumptions

A recurring theme was the need to modernize standards. Rainfall patterns are shifting. Flood events are more intense. Infrastructure designed for yesterday’s benchmarks may not perform under tomorrow’s conditions.

For growing regions, watershed-based planning helps reduce risk and protect economic growth. When infrastructure is resilient, it protects housing, commercial corridors, industrial parks, and critical facilities and provides greater certainty for investors.

The Workforce Gap Is Real

Even the best-designed water systems depend on trained operators and technicians to keep them running. Across the state, many experienced workers are retiring, and there are not enough new workers entering the field to replace them.

This is more than a staffing issue. If communities do not have qualified professionals to operate and maintain their systems, reliability suffers and so does economic stability.

Expanding certification pathways, building stronger partnerships with community colleges, and promoting water careers as stable, well-paying professions will be essential to keeping systems dependable and supporting long-term growth.

Moving from Planning to Implementation

The forum emphasized moving beyond plans toward implementation-ready projects. Funding opportunities are competitive. Communities that are grant-ready and can demonstrate regional coordination, project readiness, and long-term viability will be better positioned to secure investment.

Since water systems operate across jurisdictional lines, planning and investment strategies must do the same. Coordinated regional approaches reduce risk and strengthen long-term economic stability.

Water infrastructure is more than physical systems. It protects local economies and reduces long-term risk. Smart investment today helps prevent costly challenges in the future. 

These conversations align closely with Centralina’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which emphasizes infrastructure readiness, resilience, and long-term competitiveness as foundational to regional prosperity. Water is essential to growth and long-term economic success.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has opened applications for its FY25 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, with $1.45 billion available nationwide. This competitive program supports communities recovering from federally declared disasters in 2023 and 2024 by funding projects that not only restore what was lost but also strengthen resilience for the future.

Opportunities for Centralina

The Centralina region felt residual impacts from the Helene disaster, which disrupted supply chains, strained infrastructure and created ripple effects across our local economy. Through this program, local governments and regional partners have the chance to pursue projects that:

• Rebuild and modernize critical infrastructure.
• Expand workforce training and job readiness programs.
• Support business growth and innovation.
• Strengthen planning and organizational capacity for recovery.

Why Act Now

EDA generally funds up to 80% of project costs, with the remainder covered by cash or in-kind match. Because funding will be awarded on a rolling basis until exhausted, early preparation is key. Aligning proposals with the Centralina Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) will strengthen competitiveness.

Learn More

Communities interested in applying should review the full NOFO and connect with Centralina EDD staff for guidance on project ideas and alignment.

For more information: EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program

Centralina Invites Communities and Engineering Firms to Support Regional Flood Resilience

The Centralina Regional Council is launching two coordinated requests for Letters of Interest (LOIs) to strengthen regional resilience through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Project Planning funds made available under Tropical Storm Helene (DR-4827-NC).

For Communities – Get the LOI for Jurisdictions

Local jurisdictions are invited to submit LOIs if they have current or potential flood-related hazard mitigation projects that could benefit from technical assistance, engineering support or benefit-cost analysis. This regional application process is designed to help communities advance projects identified in their Hazard Mitigation Plans and prepare for federal funding opportunities.

Participation can help communities:

• Access technical and administrative support to strengthen project readiness.
• Align local hazard mitigation priorities with regional solutions.
• Join a collaborative regional effort to address flooding and inland storm impacts.

For Engineering Firms – Get the LOI for Engineering Firms

Centralina is also seeking qualified engineering firms to provide on-call services, including feasibility studies, design development, cost-benefit analysis and GIS hazard risk mapping. Selected firms will play a key role in supporting communities with limited in-house capacity and ensuring projects meet FEMA and NCEM eligibility requirements.

Engineering partners can expect to:

• Conduct hazard assessments and develop project designs.
• Support FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) packages.
• Provide rapid mobilization and technical assistance on short timelines.

Why This Matters

Engaging both communities and engineering partners positions the Centralina region to accelerate flood resilience planning and project readiness. By working together, jurisdictions and technical experts can better leverage federal and state resources, reduce flood risks and strengthen long-term community resilience.

LOIs are due by the end of business on August 29, 2025.
For more resources visit: Centralina Regional Council – Resilience

Education Is Rising, but so is the Need for Skilled Trades

Across the Centralina region, educational attainment is on the rise. In counties like Cabarrus and Iredell, more residents are earning degrees than ever before, reflecting a strong commitment to learning and long-term community investment. This growth signals progress, but it also comes at a time when the job market is evolving.

Access to affordable, high-quality child care is a pressing challenge for working families and businesses across North Carolina. Recognizing this, Centralina Regional Council, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) and the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions joined forces to host two Centralina Learns webinar events, creating a space for dialogue and action on this critical issue.

The November 2024 session, “Bridging Child Care and Business,” explored innovative child care models like Tri-Share partnerships, which splits child care costs between employers, employees and the State of North Carolina. Experts from Cleveland County Partnership for Children and NC Department of Commerce shared insights on how businesses can support working parents while strengthening workforce participation.

In January 2025, “Child Care Solutions for Employers” took a more hands-on approach, offering practical steps for businesses to evaluate employee child care needs, explore tailored solutions and implement impactful benefits. Speakers from TOOTRiS and Patch Caregiving provided actionable strategies to enhance workplace retention and productivity.

These conversations directly support the Centralina Economic Development District’s  “Prosperity for All” Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) objectives by addressing child care as an economic development priority. By fostering public-private collaboration, Centralina and its partners are working to create a more resilient, family-friendly workforce ecosystem.

For more information, on The Role of Child Care in the NC Economy visit our website or reach out to Anna Lu Wilson at alwilson@centralina.org