Land of Sky Regional Council has recently been recognized with a 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for The Remembrance Project, Energy and Communications After A Storm, and Senior Companion Program Caregiver Project.

The Remembrance Project

Project Partners: Isothermal Community College, Mars Hill University, Warren Wilson College, UNC Asheville, Western Carolina University

Summary: The Remembrance Project preserves, recognizes, and celebrates African American cemeteries and the final resting place of Veterans throughout Western North Carolina.  Over 300 volunteers participated in the 9/11 Day of Service in 2024 to honor those who came before us.  These 35+ cemeteries across Western North Carolina from Murphy to Rutherfordton need repair and clean-up.  Flags were placed at the graves of Veterans in these cemeteries.  By honoring our past, we are better able to move forward into the future.    

Energy and Communications After A Storm

Project Partners: Footprint Project; North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association; Spark Robotic; Critical Services Microgrid, ITDRC

Summary: In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Land of Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) provided immediate relief to its region by delivering temporary microgrid solutions that restored power, water purification, and communications capacity to communities in need. Many of these systems consist of portable battery generators interconnected to solar modules. LOSRC staff leveraged their local knowledge, resources, and industry relationships to quickly identify sites that had gone offline and needed energy or communications technology. To date, the team and its partners have deployed nearly 40 microgrid solutions to community centers, essential supply distribution points, fire stations, and a mental health facility. These deployments helped thousands of residents reconnect to resources such as medical, jobs, education, and family during the hardest days of the storm. 

Senor Companion Program Caregiver Project 

Project Partners: Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty) and the Family Caregiver Support Program with the Area Agency on Aging 

 Summary: Land of Sky Regional Council’s (LOSRC) Senior Companion Program Caregiver Project provides one-on-one support to caregivers by pairing them with trained older adult volunteers aged 55 and up. Funded by AmeriCorps Seniors, the project is designed to offer meaningful relief to caregivers through weekly assistance that includes companionship, education and resource navigation, transportation, respite care, and light housekeeping - while also giving older adults the opportunity to stay active and engaged in their communities. LOSRC manages the program by coordinating volunteer training and orientation, building community partnerships, overseeing finances, and leading recruitment and volunteer recognition efforts. Unlike traditional caregiving models, this innovative initiative focuses specifically on supporting caregivers themselves, recognizing the emotional and physical toll of caregiving responsibilities. By helping both caregivers and volunteers remain connected and supported, the program promotes aging in place and contributes to local economic vitality as older adults continue to participate in and strengthen their communities.

Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through innovative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.   

This year’s cohort included 90 impactful projects led by 79 organizations across 24 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2025 Annual Training Conference, held this coming October in Salt Lake City, Utah. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at www.nado.org/2025impactawards/. 

“The Impact Awards are an annual reminder of the creativity and commitment that regional development organizations bring to their communities,” said 2024-2025 NADO President Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Region XII Council of Governments in Iowa. “This year’s awardees show how local and regional partnerships, driven by vision and collaboration, can lead to lasting positive change across our country.”

Land of Sky Regional Council Board of Delegates Chair and City of Brevard Mayor says, “These awards acknowledge the outstanding work by our region to meet the needs of our local communities.  Our Board is committed to being innovative and good stewards of taxpayer dollars.  These three NADO Impact Awards demonstrate the Council again is a national leader in regional economic and community development.”  

The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.

Source: LOSRC.