Grady Hunt
                                 Courtesy of David Richardson

Grady Hunt

Courtesy of David Richardson

<p>John Alford</p>
                                 <p>Courtesy of David Richardson</p>

John Alford

Courtesy of David Richardson

<p>Robert Conoly, left, looks at Perry Blanks with a smile as Blanks poses with his award.</p>
                                 <p>Courtesy of David Richardson</p>

Robert Conoly, left, looks at Perry Blanks with a smile as Blanks poses with his award.

Courtesy of David Richardson

<p>Tyler Thomas</p>
                                 <p>Courtesy of David Richardson</p>

Tyler Thomas

Courtesy of David Richardson

The Lumber River Council of Governments (LRCOG) celebrated 50 years of regional excellence on Thursday, using the opportunity to recognize individuals who have generously given both time and energy towards the mission and doing the work of the LRCOG. Robert Conoly, Chairman of the LRGOC Board of Directors, presided over the event.

Beginning the evening on a high note, leaders from across Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland counties were recognized for their dedicated passion, creativity, advocacy, and leadership which has allowed a return of more than $290,000,000 in federal and state funds to the region by way of the LRCOG in its 50-year history.

Additionally, the LRCOG’s work has supported grant awards and opportunities which have returned tens of millions of dollars directly back to its member governments.

Present individuals were also able to enjoy a video highlighting the continuous work of the LRCOG in supporting both the region’s workforce development and local government service needs, as well as the needs of the region’s senior residents.

East Arcadia Mayor, Perry Blanks, was the recipient of the Calvin Haggins Award for Outstanding LRCOG Board Member of the Year.

Ashley Matthews, clerk for the Town of Dublin, was presented with 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.

The Leon Maynor Local Leadership Award was presented to John Alford, Scotland County Commissioner.

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, outstanding members were presented with an award by each board and advisory council serving the LRCOG. Grady Hunt, of Robeson County, was honored as the Rural Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee Member of the Year. Earlena Lowry, of Robeson County, was the Aging Advisory Council Member of the Year, and William Wright, Hoke County Economic Developer, received the Dr. Stanley Richardson Award for Workforce Development Board Member of the Year.

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 was honored for its Lumber River Regional Broadband Study, which focuses on improving the broadband issues of the region.

The Lumber River Council of Governments’ Workforce Development Board was recognized for the COVID-19 Employment program. The program provided financial assistance to dislocated workers to obtain commercial driver’s licenses and on-the-job training support to the region’s employers.

The Lumber River Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging was recognized for its Back to School Support for Grandparents, which provides school supplies to grandparents living in the region who are raising their grandchildren.

The LRCOG provides a plethora of programs and services to the region’s member governments: Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland counties. It serves as an administrative and service delivery arm for its member governments’ federal, state, regional, and local programs.