Community Development
The Community Development Division provides a variety of resources and services for economic prosperity, growth management, and customized community development assistance. The division provides local communities with a variety of resources and services to help them realize economic prosperity, plan for new growth and address community needs. For detiled information regarding community development programs and services click on a name below.
Community Investment and Assistance
Community Investment and Assistance (CI) administers the State of North Carolina's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to local governments in non-entitlement areas. Non-entitlement areas are cities with populations of less than 50,000 (except cities that are designated principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas), and counties with populations of less than 200,000. The Commerce Finance Center administers the Economic Development CDBG Category.
The primary statutory objective of the CDBG program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities. These grants primarily serve persons of low- and moderate-income, as the State must ensure that at least 70 percent of its CDBG grant funds are used for activities that benefit these persons.
Urban Development
The Division of Urban Development provides downtown development assistance through the NC Main Street Center and the Small-Town Main Street Program. Urban Development also administers the Main Street Solutions grant program.
Community Planning
Community Plannning provides technical assistance to North Carolina's small town and rural local governments. A variety of services is offered to help local governments meet their planning and growth mangement needs.
Rural Development
Rural Development provides a variety of programs to help rural areas prepare for economic development and prosparity. Signiture programs include the 21st Century Communities Program, Talent Enhancement Demonstration Initiative, N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program, and the Partnership for Small Towns collaborative.
Appalachian Regional Commission Programs