By : Dave Vieser
Source : http://www.charlotteobserver.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Despite a healthy dose of public hearings and red tape, Statesville and Troutman have recently begun the process of applying for federal Community Block Development Grants.
The federal funds are customarily used to ensure decent affordable housing, provide special services to vulnerable citizens, upgrade municipal infrastructure and create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses.
The impetus for Statesville's action was a recent announcement by the Pate Dawson Co., which plans to spend $9 million building a food distribution facility at the Statesville Business Park. The city will seek $466,000 in CBDG funds to help the company relocate to Statesville.
The process required by the federal government to qualify for the funds meant that the City Council had to adopt nine separate programs, including a new "language access program."
This program requires the city to post signs in "regularly encountered languages" such as Spanish, in waiting rooms, reception areas and other spots in City Hall and the city office building on South Center Street.
The requirement prompted some grumbling among city officials. "What you are saying is that we really have no choice but to approve these measures if we want to access the federal funds," said Councilman Cecil Stallard at a council meeting in February.
City Manager Rob Hites concurred with Stallard's analysis, adding that "this is one way the federal government can impose their agenda on local governments."
Goldsboro-based Pate Dawson is one of the largest independent food-service distributors in the Southeast, serving customers in 14 states. The company carries some 6,500 items, from fresh and frozen meats, poultry and seafood to paper products and cleaning chemicals. As a result of their expansion into Statesville, the company plans to create 49 new jobs with an average salary of $47,000.
Meanwhile, in January, Troutman Town Board members conducted a public hearing to discuss and receive public input on federally funded programs that the town can apply for.
Gary Wilson of Benchmark CMR, the town's CDBG consultant, said those programs include scattered site housing, infrastructure improvements, utility connections, small business and entrepreneurial assistance and catalyst programs. "Out of all those categories, I think the town would mostly likely apply for the infrastructure improvement and catalyst categories," he said.
Wilson will work with the town's planning staff during the next several weeks to determine if there are any funding possibilities. If so, a second public hearing will be required.
Troutman is no stranger to the CDBG program. Two years ago, it received $400,000, which it used to do full rehabs on seven houses plus emergency repairs, such as roofs, bathrooms, etc. on eight others.
Source : http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/04/3059815/statesville-troutman-seek-federal.html
Source : http://www.charlotteobserver.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Despite a healthy dose of public hearings and red tape, Statesville and Troutman have recently begun the process of applying for federal Community Block Development Grants.
The federal funds are customarily used to ensure decent affordable housing, provide special services to vulnerable citizens, upgrade municipal infrastructure and create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses.
The impetus for Statesville's action was a recent announcement by the Pate Dawson Co., which plans to spend $9 million building a food distribution facility at the Statesville Business Park. The city will seek $466,000 in CBDG funds to help the company relocate to Statesville.
The process required by the federal government to qualify for the funds meant that the City Council had to adopt nine separate programs, including a new "language access program."
This program requires the city to post signs in "regularly encountered languages" such as Spanish, in waiting rooms, reception areas and other spots in City Hall and the city office building on South Center Street.
The requirement prompted some grumbling among city officials. "What you are saying is that we really have no choice but to approve these measures if we want to access the federal funds," said Councilman Cecil Stallard at a council meeting in February.
City Manager Rob Hites concurred with Stallard's analysis, adding that "this is one way the federal government can impose their agenda on local governments."
Goldsboro-based Pate Dawson is one of the largest independent food-service distributors in the Southeast, serving customers in 14 states. The company carries some 6,500 items, from fresh and frozen meats, poultry and seafood to paper products and cleaning chemicals. As a result of their expansion into Statesville, the company plans to create 49 new jobs with an average salary of $47,000.
Meanwhile, in January, Troutman Town Board members conducted a public hearing to discuss and receive public input on federally funded programs that the town can apply for.
Gary Wilson of Benchmark CMR, the town's CDBG consultant, said those programs include scattered site housing, infrastructure improvements, utility connections, small business and entrepreneurial assistance and catalyst programs. "Out of all those categories, I think the town would mostly likely apply for the infrastructure improvement and catalyst categories," he said.
Wilson will work with the town's planning staff during the next several weeks to determine if there are any funding possibilities. If so, a second public hearing will be required.
Troutman is no stranger to the CDBG program. Two years ago, it received $400,000, which it used to do full rehabs on seven houses plus emergency repairs, such as roofs, bathrooms, etc. on eight others.
Source : http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/04/3059815/statesville-troutman-seek-federal.html
