Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. Do you have grants to help me fix my house, pay my mortgage, or provide down payment assistance? Not at this time.  Please check with your local housing authority or the South Carolina Housing Finance and Development Authority.
  2. Who can I contact regarding care, assistance, or meals on wheels for my aging parent? Please contact the Catawba Area Agency on Aging.

Planning

  1. How can I be involved in planning for the future of my community? Residents can volunteer to serve on their local Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, and Historic Commission and be involved in planning for their town, city, or county.  Also, residents can volunteer to serve on committees when plans are being developed and updated in their community, such as Comprehensive Plans, Transportation Plans, Neighborhood Plans, and other special district plans. 
Transportation Plans and Programs

  1. Why is transportation planning important in the Catawba Region? Transportation planning is important because the Catawba Region is growing and becoming more diverse. Its location near Charlotte, North Carolina, access to Interstate 77, and connections through major U.S. and South Carolina highways make coordinated transportation planning essential to support growth, mobility, and regional vitality. 
  2. What does CRCOG do in transportation planning? Catawba Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG) helps communities across the region plan for transportation needs and pursue funding for important transportation improvements. This includes supporting the expansion and rehabilitation of key transportation corridors and helping ensure transportation funds are used prudently.
  3. What is CRCOG’s role in the rural portion of the region? CRCOG works with local jurisdictions in the rural portion of the region to identify transportation priorities and recommend highway and transit projects for funding consideration by SCDOT.
  4. What transportation services does CRCOG provide? CRCOG provides or supports: Transportation corridor planning; Long-range transportation plan development; Regional transportation coordination; and, Funding recommendations for transportation projects. 
  5. How does CRCOG work with SCDOT?  CRCOG has a long-standing cooperative relationship with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Through this partnership, CRCOG assists SCDOT with long-range planning for regional transportation improvements and helps identify and prioritize local transportation needs in the rural portion of the region.
  6. Does CRCOG decide which transportation projects receive funding? CRCOG helps prioritize local needs and makes recommendations to SCDOT for funding of highway and transit projects in the rural portion of the region. Final funding decisions are made through the applicable state and federal processes. 
  7. What is the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)? The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) is a regional committee maintained by CRCOG. It includes representatives from: local governments; transportation providers, and special interest groups.  The TAC helps review transportation issues and project needs across the region.  
  8. What is the CRCOG 2025–2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)? The 2025–2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is CRCOG’s comprehensive transportation planning document for the rural portion of the region’s four counties. It establishes long-term transportation goals, identifies current and future needs, and allocates projected revenue to programs and projects.

Workforce & Job Training

  1. Where do I find information about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act? Please visit the SC Works page by clicking here.
  2. How do I apply for unemployment insurance? If you need assistance applying for unemployment benefits, claims representatives are available through Telclaim at 1-866-831-1724 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.  Job seekers can file for unemployment benefits by clicking here.
  3. What services does SC Works offer?  SC Works offers job search help (resume writing, interviews, job listings), career training (GED, skills, On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships), unemployment assistance, veteran support, and services for those with barriers to employment, all aimed at connecting skilled workers with employers and advancing careers through state-funded programs and partner agencies. 

For Job Seekers

    • Job Search & Placement: Finding jobs, career counseling, resume help, interview practice, job fairs, and online resources.
    • Training & Education: GED/High School Equivalency, Basic Skills, Occupational Training, On-the-Job Training (OJT), Apprenticeships, English as a Second Language (ESL).
    • Specialized Programs: Support for veterans, individuals with disabilities (Vocational Rehabilitation, Commission for the Blind), justice-involved individuals, and low-income families (TANF and SNAP links).
    • Unemployment: Assistance and resources for filing for benefits. 

For Employers

    • Recruitment: Finding candidates, screening, matching, and assessments.
    • Training: Incumbent worker training, skills upgrading, and entrepreneurial training.
    • Business Services: Access to business centers, interviewing facilities, and hiring events. 

At SC Works Centers

    • Resources: Free internet, computers, fax, printers, and knowledgeable staff.
    • Workshops: Job search, career readiness, and other professional development sessions. 

Business Lending

  1. What small business lending programs does Catawba Regional offer, and how do I know if my business is eligible to apply for a loan? Catawba Regional offers five small business lending programs that collectively cover the entire state of South Carolina. Loan sizes range from $50,000 - $5,000,000, depending on the lending program. A small business is categorized as a business with a net worth of less than $15.0 million and an average two-year profit of less than $5.0 million. 
  1. Can a start-up business receive a loan from Catawba Regional, and can you help me with developing a business plan? Catawba Regional does lend to start-up businesses; however, a business plan and financial projections will be requested as part of the loan application process. Catawba Regional does not offer business planning services but does refer applicants and inquiries to the nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the development of their business plan. 
  1. Can Catawba Regional partner with my bank to provide project financing? If so, what equity injection and collateral is required? Catawba Regional lending programs can partner with a bank to provide up to 95% of total project financing. Total equity injection from the borrower is determined on a per-loan basis, but a minimum equity injection of 5% of total project costs is required for all loans. Catawba Regional can serve as a primary or secondary lender. Catawba Regional does require collateral for all loans made, as no loans can be unsecured under the lending programs.
  1. What Credit Score do I need to qualify for a loan, and will I have to personally guarantee the loan? Catawba Regional reviews all loan applications submitted. A credit score of 650 or higher is preferred for all loan programs. Any slow pays or collections will require a written explanation. Catawba Regional will also require personal guarantees from all shareholders with a 20%+ ownership stake in the company and any affiliate corporate organizations of the business applying for the loan.
  1. Who do I contact to learn more about Catawba Regional’s loan programs? For all inquiries about Catawba Regional’s loan programs, please contact our lending staff by calling the office at 803-327-9041. Questions and applications can be submitted to Catawba Regional at crcog@catawbacog.org. 
Grants
  1. Does Catawba Regional provide any other grant services besides Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)? Yes. Catawba Regional also assists with Rural Infrastructure Authority grants; South Carolina State Revolving Fund loans; Economic Development Administration grants; United States Department of Agriculture grants; transportation grants; South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism grants; highway safety grants; and other public funding.
  1. If I discover a grant for which I, as a government employee, or elected official (with the full support of my local government), would like to apply and CRCOG does not already apply for this type of grant, can I get CRCOG to assist with the grant application? It depends on the source of the funding and the scope of the project. Please contact our community development staff to discuss the grant opportunity.
  1. If I want Catawba Regional to assist with a grant project, what steps should I take to make this happen? First, contact Catawba Regional to speak with a community development staff member to determine if the project is viable. Catawba Regional only provides grant services for local governments, special purpose districts and institutions of higher education. Please contact your town, city, or county government and ask the government to get in touch with Catawba Regional.
For additional information, please contact our office at crcog@catawbacog.org or 803-327-9041.