The Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grants Program is a pilot targeting eastern local units of government to enhance the capacity to develop strategic and competitive CDBG proposals and grant administration. The aspects of enhancement include economic impact analyses, community survey research and design, grant administration and writing, and feasibility study preparation. This pilot program represents a partnership with East Carolina University’s Office of Engagement, Innovation, and Economic Development.
Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grants program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $600,000 and will be awarded through a first come, first serve competitive process. The Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grants are available to units of local government in Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne, and Wilson.
2009 Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grants Recipients
The following local units of government were awarded a Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grant:
Town of Aurora
Beaufort County
Edgecombe County
Hyde County
Jones County
Lenoir County
Pamlico County
Pitt County
For additional information on the Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grant Program, contact Charlie Thompson at 919-733-1334 or cthompson@nccommerce.com.
Talent Enhancement Grant Guidelines 
Grant Application Form
Mark A. Roberts, Executive Director
N.C. Department of Commerce
Office of Rural Development Programs
4301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4301