As uncertainty reigned in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses were faced with shortfalls in revenue and meeting new standards for safety in short order, so in turn, counties stepped in to help convene resources and strategies to pull together support for their respective business communities. Joining us to unpack two stories of county response to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses are Tim Love, Director of Economic Development and Governmental Relations for Buncombe County and Sam Varner, Wellness Administrator Randolph County.  “County Governments Quickly Rally to Help Small Businesses” - CountyQuarterly Spring 2020 article “Randolph County Leads Innovative Effort to Help Businesses and Municipalities Reopen Safely” - CountyQuarterly Summer 2020 article One Buncombe Fund - Info Page Parker's Barbecue - Business Page 

S3 E2: Economic development in a changing landscape | “Bring down the silos”

CountyCast is a podcast series from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners designed to educate listeners about the level of government closest to the people – counties.

Join host Amber Harris as we share county stories from North Carolina, help people understand county government’s impact and why it matters, and attempt to entertain while celebrating counties and our members.

Government & Organizations

Non-Profit

National

Regional

Local

In this episode, we're joined by NC Senator Lisa Barnes, who is in her first term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner Sue Leggett, who is in her first term on the Nash County Board of Commissioners. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how backgrounds in agriculture and commitments to their communities have spurred connections between these two elected officials at the county and state levels.

S4 E2: Rooted in relationships with Senator Lisa Barnes and Commissioner Sue Leggett

 We kick off the fourth season of CountyCast with NC Representative Terry Garrison, who is in his third term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner T. Davis, who is in his second term on the Warren County Board of Commissioners and serves as NCACC First Vice President. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how collaboration between their respective branches of government can work together for the betterment of their communities.

S4 E1: Partnering in providing opportunities with Rep. Terry Garrison and Commissioner T. Davis

The basic principles of creating laws — bill drafting, committee discussion, and passage between the two chambers of the legislature — is fairly well understood. What happens in between, then? What exactly does it mean when proposed bills "go to marinate?" In the throes of the legislative short session, CountyCast host Amber Harris, NCACC's Director of Government Relations, sat down with NC Representative and Chair of the Rules Committee Destin Hall to find out the specifics of how legislation passes through the halls of the General Assembly. Relevant Links Rep. Destin Hall — Biography Page

Special Episode: An Insider Look at Passing Legislation with Rep. Destin Hall | "All about building relationships"

 In celebrating the most prominent Christmas decoration in the most distinguished house in the United States, we recap a special White House Christmas tree send-off from the Ashe County courthouse and talk with Tim O'Connor, Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Association, about the process to select the winning tree.   Relevant links    National Christmas Tree Association: realchristmastrees.org NC Christmas Tree Association: ncchristmastrees.com   Ashe County Government: www.ashecountygov.com "The Preacher's Wife": www.imdb.com/title/tt0117372  "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation": www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958   

Special episode: Little full, a lot of sap | “The Beyoncé of Christmas Trees”

The winding, lurching road of vaccine development quickly turned in to a speedy superhighway of vaccine distribution in the United States as the calendar turned to 2021, and true to much of the efforts to mitigate COVID-19, counties were placed at the front and center of the response. Speaking to how vaccination efforts have looked from the mobilization of large networks, to community administration, to the emptying of the vials, we're joined by Hattie Gawande, Senior Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor from NC DHHS; Gibbie Harris, the Public Health Director from Mecklenburg County; and Brandy Quinn, a Nurse Supervisor from the Onslow County Health Department. Our "Dish With a Commish" spotlight is on Randolph County Commissioner Darrell Frye.     NC DHHS Office of Government Affairs — www.ncdhhs.gov Mecklenburg County Health Department — www.mecknc.gov Onslow County Health Department — www.onslowcountync.gov/149/Health Redneck BBQ Lab — theredneckbbqlab.com 12 Bones Smokehouse — www.12bones.com Healthier Together - Health Equity Action Network — covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/nc-vaccine-strategy/healthier-together-health-equity-action-network  

S3 E2: Economic development in a changing landscape | “Bring down the silos”

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