Home Our Services News Contact Us About Us Advisory Committees & Boards Aging Advisory Committee The Aging Advisory Committee acts in an advisory capacity on all matters relating to the development of plans, programs, and services for persons 60 years of age and older in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba Counties. The committee assures regional compliance with the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. Committee meetings are held quarterly on the second Monday of the designated month from 11 am until 1 pm at the offices of the WPCOG. Tina Miller, WPCOG Area Agency on Aging Director, staffs the Aging Advisory Committee. Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) The Greater Hickory MPO serves the transportation needs for the four counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba, and the municipalities of Brookford, Cajah's Mountain, Catawba, Cedar Rock, Claremont, Conover, Connelly Springs, Drexel, Gamewell, Glen Alpine, Granite Falls, Hickory, Hildebran, Hudson, Lenoir, Long View, Maiden, Morganton, Newton, Rhodhiss, Rutherford College, Sawmills, Taylorsville, and Valdese. Working with the NC and US Departments of Transportation, the 28 local governments participate in a continuing planning process for the MPO. They ensure ensure that planning requirements established by federal authorizing legislation for transportation funding are met. The MPO develops the planning work programs (PWP), transportation plans, and transportation improvement programs (TIP) for all 28 local governments. Annual Reports Advisory Committees & Boards Local Government Directory Frequently Asked Questions Helpful Links Agenda & Minutes Policy Board Navigate Services Decisions are made by a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) with recommendations from a Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC). The TAC is a policy-making body made up of elected officials from each of the member governments, and the North Carolina Board of Transportation. The TCC is a staff-level committee that provides recommendations to the TAC regarding transportation decisions. The TAC and TCC participate in transportation planning for the MPO, and each of their meetings are held regularly. Staff assistance is provided by Brian Horton. Western Piedmont Sister Cities Association The Western Piedmont Sister Cities Association was organized in 1992 and incorporated in 1993 as a regional non-profit organization. Local governments in the region are invited to be members of the association, whose purpose is to exchange ideas and develop friendships with other cultures. An effort is made to involve the communities in a variety of educational, institutional, municipal, professional, technical and government projects. Current local government members include Alexander County, Morganton, Valdese, Catawba County, Hickory, Conover and Claremont. Each entity is represented by two members on the WPSCA board. The Western Piedmont Sister Cities Association has had a formal partnership with Altenburg in the former East Germany for several years. Altenburg was chosen because of the strong German and Lutheran heritage in this region. There have been many exchanges between the two areas, mostly related to art, sports, medicine, business and government. The WPSCA continues to pursue additional partnerships and promote the sister cities program in the region. The WPSCA is a member of Sister Cities International. Meetings are held monthly on the second Tuesday at 4 pm at various locations throughout the region. Western Piedmont Water Resources Committee The Water Resources Committee (formerly referred to as the Catawba River Study Committee) was established in 1986 and serves in an advisory role for local governments on water resources and watershed issues including water quality, water supply, water safety and recreation, and land use within the region's river basins. Meetings are typically held at the WPCOG offices on the second Wednesday of each odd numbered month beginning at 11:30 am. Johnny Wear, Natural Resources Programs Administrator, staffs the Western Piedmont Water Resources Committee. Workforce Development Board (WDB) The purpose of the Workforce Development Board (WDB) is to direct the use of Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act (WIOA) funds allocated to Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba Counties. The Board is legislated by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with 51% of the members representing the private sector. Meetings are held bimonthly on the fourth Thursday at 8:30 am at the WPCOG offices. Wendy Johnson, Workforce Development Board Director, staffs the Workforce Development Board. The Western Piedmont Council of Governments shall serve all local government members in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba Counties with professional, cost-effective assistance on a variety of local, regional, state and federal issues and programs. Share your thoughts! Telephone: 828.322.9191 Fax: 828.322.5991 Email: jason.toney@wpcog.org Mailing: P.O. Box 9026 | Hickory, NC 28603 Location: 1880 2nd Avenue NW Hickory, NC 28601 Get social with us! Driving Directions In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, and reprisal. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410 Washington, DC 20250-9410 Or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.