The North Carolina Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NC Neighborhood) has awarded a total of $7.5 million in grants to 10 localities. The program provides federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) to communities to help address economic and community development needs, primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate- income residents.
NC Neighborhood grants help communities overcome challenges that keep them from moving forward, whether that’s rehabilitation of long-vacant homes or infrastructure and road improvements,” said Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. “These projects will bring new energy and resources to communities across our state that need them most.
North Carolina received approximately $43.3 million in CDBG funds for 2017. Approximately $10 million of these funds are made available to local governments through NC Neighborhood grants. All counties and small cities are eligible to apply for funds except for 24 entitlement cities that receive direct funding from HUD. Each of the 10 selected non-entitlement communities will receive $750,000 in CDBG funds through the program.
Localities will use their allocated funds to address the most pertinent development needs of individual communities. Funds will be used for projects such as public housing construction, relocation assistance, rehabilitation of privately owned dwellings and sewer and street improvements.
To ensure sustainability and resiliency, projects receiving funds from the NC Neighborhood Program must incorporate at least one of the following livability principles in their projects:
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Promote equitable, affordable housing: expand location and energy-efficient housing choices for all people to increase mobility and cost-efficiency
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Support existing communities: revitalize existing communities with federal funds through strategies transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling
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Value communities and neighborhoods: invest in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods
The NC Neighborhood Program approved the following 10 localities to receive CDBG funds:
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Greene County
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Town of Tabor City
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Town of Windsor
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Town of Fair Bluff
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City of Wilson
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City of Washington
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City of Lumberton
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Tyrrell County
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Nash County
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Craven County
The CDBG program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program administered in part by N.C. Commerce. CDBG funds are awarded to enhance the vitality of communities by providing adequate housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities. The State must ensure that at least 70 percent of its CDBG grant funds are used for activities and projects that serve persons of low- and moderate-income.
For additional information about N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, visit http://www.nccommerce.com/rd.