Regional organization served thousands through workforce development, aging services, housing assistance, and transportation planning
HERTFORD, NC – The Albemarle Commission released its Fiscal Year 2024-25 Impact Report today, highlighting significant achievements in workforce development, services for older adults, community development, and regional planning across its 10-county service area.
“This year’s results demonstrate our commitment to strengthening communities throughout northeastern North Carolina,” said David Whitmer, Executive Director of the Albemarle Commission. “From helping job-seekers find employment to ensuring seniors can age safely at home, our work touches thousands of lives across Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.”
Workforce development drives economic growth
The Northeastern Workforce Development Board served 4,458 job-seekers who received 35,468 services, including career counseling, résumé assistance, and interview preparation. The agency also supported 265 employers with 3,466 services designed to recruit, train, and retain quality employees.
Notable workforce achievements include:
- $83,339 in financial assistance helping participants afford books, uniforms, transportation, childcare, and other necessities
- $48,728 in grant funding awarded to local businesses for training new hires and upskilling current workers
- 29 NextGen success stories featuring young adults who secured employment
- 26 hiring events hosted across regional NCWorks Career Centers
- 92 participants in the Real World simulation program
The NENC Career Pathways initiative strengthened regional workforce ecosystems through major events, including the Career Pathways Challenge with 150+ participants, the NCWorks NextGen Youth Forum with 100+ attendees, and two Military Workforce Panels focusing on maritime and industrial base readiness.
Area Agency on Aging supports independent living
The Area Agency on Aging served 2,521 clients through comprehensive services designed to help older adults remain independent and safe in their homes:
- 87,042 meals delivered through the home-delivery program, plus 34,799 congregate meals served
- 34,592 hours of in-home aide services provided
- 10,527 transportation trips for medical appointments and general activities
- 156 hours of legal services
- 9 home modification projects completed
- 53 family caregivers supported with 2,582 hours of respite care and 764 supplemental services
- The agency’s Ombudsman program received 118 complaints from long-term care facility residents and opened 57 cases, while the Digital Navigator Program reached 562 individuals.
Housing programs address critical needs
Community Development programs completed 61 housing projects totaling $696,506:
- 32 Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation projects ($459,458) providing major repairs for elderly homeowners and those with disabilities
- 29 Urgent Repair projects ($237,048) helping low-income homeowners address safety hazards and avoid displacement
Looking ahead, the agency secured funding for 26 additional rehabilitation projects in Gates and Tyrrell counties, projected to rehab 22 homes in 2026.
The Commission also received 140+ flood mitigation applications from homeowners in Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties seeking FEMA grants to elevate or purchase their homes.
Regional planning advances transportation and economic development
The Albemarle Regional Planning Organization (ARPO) submitted 63 projects for Prioritization Cycle 8.0 of the Strategic Transportation Improvement Program. It updated the Functional Classification of roadways across the region—a federal process conducted every 10 years, with 21 updates submitted.
ARPO initiated a regional Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Pasquotank, Camden, and Currituck counties to identify major transportation needs and develop solutions for the next 25-30 years.
Supporting local government success
The Commission expanded its support for local governments through:
- 26 grant strategy meetings helping identify funding opportunities and strengthen applications
- Launch of Commission Connection email newsletter (April 2025)
- Launch of Legislative Watch updates (April 2025)
- ARPA Toolkit for Local Governments (June 2025)
- New searchable grant database
- 5 letters of support for transportation-related grant applications
- 2 trips to Raleigh to advance regional priorities with the General Assembly
- Updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to guide regional economic growth
The Commission passed 2 resolutions supporting regional industries and reached 2,000+ local government contacts with valuable information about funding and training opportunities.
About the Albemarle Commission
The Albemarle Commission serves Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties and their municipalities. The regional organization provides workforce development, aging services, community development, and planning services to improve the quality of life throughout northeastern North Carolina.
For more information, visit https://albemarlecommission.org/