COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO HELP 208 FAMILIES

RALEIGH – Commerce Secretary Jim Fain today announced that nine North Carolina communities will share a total of $596,000 in Community Development Block Grants to connect 208 families to public water and/or sewer lines.

“This program is helping us ensure that all of our residents have access to safe, clean drinking water and environmentally sound sewer systems,” Fain said. “These are basic necessities that are critical to building strong, vibrant communities.”

Local governments applied for the Community Block Development Infrastructure grants to allow residents in predominantly low- to moderate-income neighborhoods to connect to existing utility lines they might otherwise be unable to access. Grants ranged from $35,000 to $75,000, depending on the number of houses being connected, their location and the area’s topography.

The following communities received grants:

• The City of Brevard has been awarded $35,000 to connect three households
• Brunswick County has been awarded $75,000 to connect 27 homes
• Burke County has been awarded $75,000 to connect 21 houses
• The Town of Kingstown has been awarded $75,000 to connect 20 homes
• The City of Lexington has been awarded $75,000 to connect 20 houses
• The City of Marion has been awarded $75,000 to connect 17 households
• McDowell County has been awarded $36,000 to connect 10 homes
• Rutherford County has been awarded $75,000 to connect 20 homes
• Surry County has been awarded $75,000 to connect 70 households

CDBG funding is allocated to the state from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance administers the program for the state.

Communities seeking more information about the CDBG award program and how to apply for grants can visit the Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance website at http://www.nccommerce.com/en/CommunityServices/CommunityDevelopmentGrants/index.htm.

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