On October 20, 2022, the Lumber River Council of Governments (LRCOG) celebrated 50 years of regional excellence and recognized individuals who have generously given their time and energy towards the work of the LRCOG. Robert Conoly, LRCOG Board of Directors Chairman, presided over the event.
The evening began with a recognition of leaders from across Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland counties, whose dedicated passion, creativity, advocacy, and leadership have allowed a return of more than $290,000,000 in federal and state funds through the LRCOG to the region in its 50-year history. In addition, the LRCOG’s work has supported grant awards and opportunities returning tens of millions of dollars back to its member governments directly. The individuals present were also treated to a video highlighting the continuing work of the LRCOG in supporting the region’s workforce development needs, local government service needs, and the needs of the region’s older adults.
Mayor Perry Blanks, of the Town of East Arcadia, was the recipient of the Calvin Haggins Award for Outstanding LRCOG Board Member of the Year. Ashley Matthews, clerk for the Town of Dublin, received the Annie Kohnen Regional Clerk of the Year award. Tyler Thomas, manager for the Town of Pembroke, received the John K. McNeill, Jr. Regional Manager of the Year award. John Alford, Scotland County Commissioner, was the recipient of the Leon Maynor Local Leadership Award. Angeline David, Commissioner of the Town of Dobbins Heights, was the recipient of the L.E. McLaughlin, Jr. and Bob Gentry Regional Leadership Award.
Additionally, each board and advisory council serving the LRCOG presented an award to their outstanding members. Those honored were Grady Hunt, of Robeson County, as the Rural Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee Member of the Year; Earlena Lowry, of Robeson County, as the Aging Advisory Council Member of the Year; and William Wright, Hoke County Economic Developer, who received the Dr. Stanley Richardson Award for Workforce Development Board Member of the Year.
Attached to this release is a brief description of each award and award winner as well as a photo of the presentation.
During the evening event, David Richardson, Executive Director for the Lumber River Council of Governments, announced that the work of the Lumber River Council of Governments had been recognized on the national level. The LRCOG received three National Association of Development Organization Innovation Awards. Three divisions of the LRCOG were recognized: the Lumber River Council of Governments’ Local Government Services Division, for its Lumber River Regional Broadband Study focused on improving the region’s broadband issues; the Lumber River Council of Governments’ Workforce Development Board, for the COVID-19 Employment program, which provided financial assistance to dislocated workers to obtain CDLs and on-the-job training support to the region’s employers; and the Lumber River Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging, for its Back to School Support for Grandparents, which provided school supplies to the region’s grandparents who are raising grandchildren.
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.
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