Local Governments Honored at CDBG-Recovery Event
September 24, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — North Carolina communities have safe and affordable housing, connection to critical public infrastructure, and access to neighborhood facilities as a result of the accomplishments of 26 non-entitlement local governments that invested Community Development Block Grant Recovery (CDBG-R) funds distributed by the Office of Community Investment and funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The Office of Community Investment in the Division of Community Assistance, a division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, released the CDBG-R project achievement report earlier this year at an event that honored local government participants for their achievements. “We celebrated the essential partnerships and successful outcomes of the CDBG-R program which expended nearly $11.5 million,” said Vickie Miller, Director of Community Investment. “Local governments worked expeditiously to spur the economy by installing 66,660 linear feet of public infrastructure, developing three neighborhood facilities, providing 240 quality affordable housing units, and providing 42 homeowners with foreclosure prevention assistance.”
Projects honored at the event included:
• City of Sanford, Special Projects Category: In partnership with Haven Inc. and Brick Capital Community Development Corporation, the City of Sanford used approximately $700,000 of CDBG-R funds to build a 29-unit facility for domestic violence victims. The shelter not only provides a secure environment for families, but also includes design features that promotes safety, incorporates sustainability, and enhances energy conservation.
• Town of Fairmont, Housing: Located in southeastern Robeson County, the Town of Fairmont used $500,000 to create 11 full-time jobs and acquire and renovate a deteriorated single family home. Five other homes were also rehabilitated.
• Stanly County, Infrastructure Category: Stanly County used $927,935 of CDBG-R funds to create 34 jobs and install 17,020 linear feet of waterline to assist 120 low-and moderate-income households. Prior to funding, the Stanly County Health Department and the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources had documented incidences of coli form bacteria and elevated arsenic levels in the area.
• Town of Mount Olive, Special Projects Category: The Town of Mount Olive used $430,254 of CDBG-R funds to relocate and renovate the downtown 1910 train depot into a civic center that will be used for community activities such as the driving license office, meals on Wheels, English as a second language classes, computer training, and health care services. The project’s central location allows accessible services for the elderly, handicapped, low-income, young, and disadvantage.
CDBG-R was a single cycle program and closes on September 30, 2012. Below is a full list of the local governments that received CDBG-R funding:
Madison County
Town of Yanceyville
Randolph County
Town of Forest City
Town of Hobgood
Rockingham County
City of Newton
Cherokee County
City of Kings Mountain
Town of Sawmills
City of Rockingham
City of Cherryville
Village of Pinehurst-Jackson Hamlet City of Sanford
Burke County
Town of Fairmont
Hyde County
Jones County
Rowan County
Town of Clarkton
Town of Maxton
Town of Mount Olive
Stanly County
Alexander County
Town of Saratoga
Village of Alamance
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law (Public Law 11-5) by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009. The Recovery Act’s appropriation to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) included a special allocation of funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to states and entitlement local governments to undertake eligible CDBG activities on an expedited basis. This supplemental allocation was separate and distinct from the regular CDBG program. CDBG-R funds were required to be invested in economic development, housing infrastructure and other public facilities activities that would quickly spur economic investment, increased energy efficiency, and job creation or retention.
Learn more about the impact of these initiatives in the CDBG-R Project Achievements report at www.nccommerce.com/cd.
Contact:
Chris Mackey
919-733-5612
