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• Developing strategies for growth around new /revitalized job centers; and, • Creating strategies to revitalize commercial /industrial sites. Q. How would CONNECT Our Future further support vibrant communities? A. CONNECT Our Future will bring communities together to: • Develop a "consensus- based" preferred growth scenario that addresses the shared values, concerns, and challenges identified by local communities; • Develop tools and strategies to help address critical issues such as infrastructure investment, housing needs, air and water quality, and open space; and, • Develop an ongoing system to collaborate and coordinate on shared problems. Q. What is the structure of CONNECT Our Future? A. The CONNECT Consortium — a broad -based group of more than 100 governments, businesses, non- profits, educational institutions and organizations — is responsible for guiding the work in the process. The Centralina Council of Governments (CCOG), which was the grant recipient on behalf of the Consortium, and the Catawba Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG) will coordinate, facilitate and staff the process. Extensive public engagement with more than 80 events regionwide is being designed to ensure communities and organizations of all sizes throughout the region, including traditionally under - represented groups, participate in the building of a regional growth framework. Q. Where are the $7.9 million in CONNECT Our Future funds coming from? A. Of the total $7.9 million, $4.9 million is a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant program. The remaining $3 million is an in -kind match being provided by various CONNECT Consortium members who are contributing time, expertise and other resources toward this project. The $3 million in -kind match has already been committed by Consortium partners and does not represent a cost to any new organizations that are considering joining the Consortium. Q. How is the $7.9 million in CONNECT Our Future funds being spent? A. The funds will be used to create a regional growth framework. Some of the elements that we expect to be a part of the framework include land use, transportation, housing, job creation and workforce training, energy efficiency, air and water quality, food systems, as well as other physical and social infrastructure within our region. hl order for communities, businesses, non - profits and others to create a consensus - based preferred growth framework for the region, the funds will be used for: • Public engagement forums throughout the process and throughout the 14- county region, to engage the communities, businesses, non - profits, other public and private sector organizations as well as the general public, in creating a regional framework. • Technical studies to assess, problem -solve and develop strategies in areas of challenges facing the region such as the economy, housing, air quality, energy, food /agriculture and public health. • Data collection and analysis including compilation of local land use and transportation maps and plans into a regional database; modeling and mapping software to project current land use trends into the future; identification of current trends, opportunities and challenges in the region; development of multiple regional growth scenarios based on local input and feedback; and analysis of how those scenarios impact the issues deemed important to local governments in the region. • Identification of grant funding opportunities to support implementation and development of a framework for continuous improvement. • Public meeting logistics, facilitation, and process communications. The grant funds are received on a reimbursable basis, meaning, as work is completed to create the regional growth framework, they are reimbursed by HUD. The Sustainable Communities grant from HUD is not comprised of "pass- through" funds that are divided among communities, rather the funds are used for specific tasks and activities to help achieve the broader regional framework. 01 Attachment number 6 G -2 Page 318