Core Values

CONNECT is based on values shared by the citizens and communities all over the region. Values reflect what people want for their lifestyles and communities - what they cherish and don't want to lose; what they'd like to protect for their children.

Core values were drawn from public documents, all of which were developed with citizen input. They cover a broad range of interests that help to shape a healthy region.

	Messages from our Leaders
	Joe Carpenter, Centralina Chairman Centralina COG serves as a leader for regional solutions on growth and quality of life issues for almost two million people in the Greater Charlotte region.  In the coming years we will deal with the modernization of the tax structure, see huge population growth and address transportation and land use issues. Regional partnerships will allow us to provide viable solutions to these issues and other critical concerns. As we have come together as elected officials, business leaders and concerned citizens, we have already recognized the depth of our shared values and seen the need for coordinated policies. I believe CONNECT is the best “next step” that our region should take to facilitate effective collaboration on the future  and the many opportunities that face us.   Growing up in Gaston County I have seen the region change over my life. Many of those changes have been strongly positive, and some not so great. However, I believe, as does the regional leadership of both Centralina and Catawba Regional, that the time has never been better to work together to enhance our region’s strengths, to address our region’s weaknesses and to serve our public needs. CONNECT with us as our region continues to grow and prosper.   Joe Carpenter Centralina Chairman
	Dora Martin, Catawba Regional Chairman As a native of Union County, South Carolina, and new Chairman of Catawba Regional COG, I welcome you to this Carolinas-Charlotte-CONNECT website and the significant undertaking that it represents.  We are happy to collaborate with Centralina Council of Governments on our region’s first comprehensive visioning project. Our region has grown by leaps and bounds over my lifetime, and will continue to grow.  This growth has brought many benefits to our area, including new opportunities for rural development.  At the same time, we are challenged in how to maintain our communities’ character and the quality of life that we cherish.  The Catawba Regional leadership believes that CONNECT offers us a framework for defining what we value, considering what that looks like in terms of community and societal development, and working towards those values and vision with specific, consistent policies and practices.  We invite you to become part of the CONNECT process now and in the next few months as we refine a vision for our region. Dora Martin Catawba Regional Chairman