Citizens seek grants for tutoring, restaurants, senior services

Janet Imrick
Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council can request grant funding to cover building the David and Pauline Center City Garden. On Sept. 5, they will hold a public hearing for other projects proposed by community members that could be eligible for Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds left in the hands of the state.

"Time is of the essence" was the message shared by Community Development Director Trevor Nuttall during the Aug. 8 city council meeting. He told city council members that roughly $1.5 million in CDBG-CV funds remain uncommitted with the Department of Commerce. If that money is not doled out, the federal government may recapture it. Nuttall said the state might also make other funds available for CDBG-eligible projects.

The CDBG-CV funds must go to projects that support low- to moderate-income families. Asheboro was awarded $900,000 for rent, utility and food assistance and has spent $657,000.

The city council voted to ask if they can reassign the remaining $243,000 and receive an additional $788,000. That would be enough to match a pending Land and Water Conservation (LWC) Fund grant for the garden.

Development staff prioritized the garden because most other federal funding sources would not be allowed to match with the LWC grant. Furthermore, the garden is already designed, which would allow them to move quickly on building given the short notice.

"We don't expect to have a whole lot of time to comply with all the rules that come with this funding, and they are onerous to say the least," Nuttall said.

A second pool of funds falls under Community Development Block Grant-Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR). The state has about $5 million uncommitted. Asheboro has already received $950,000 to renovate CASPN Homes.

Mayor David Smith opened the floor to anyone who wished to propose projects. Five proposals were made for CDBG-CV and CDBG-NR funds.

• Randolph Senior Adults Association — Executive Director Mark Hensley asked for at least $25,000 to go toward the rising costs of its services, which include RCAT transportation and meals.

• George Washington Carver Enrichment Center — Asheboro/Randolph County NAACP President Clyde Foust asked for $30,000 to fund an after-school program for the center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and $300,000 to build two new classrooms and a storage room.

• Eastside Improvement Association — Mary Rush said their Brewer Street property needs remodeled restrooms and a new roof. She requested $210,000 to replace the roof or at least $45,000 to repair the existing roof.

• Downtown eateries — Malcomb and Tammie Coley requested $900,000 to convert three downtown buildings into restaurants. Malcomb Coley said these would include event space and create or preserve 40-45 jobs, while also enhancing the downtown experience.

• Asheboro Housing Authority — Executive Director Robert Lawler asked the city to request another CDBG-NR grant totaling $320,560 to replace windows in CASPN Homes' 50 units.

The city council could only approve a project amendment for the garden at the August meeting because each project must have a public hearing advertised. Therefore, all other proposals approved will have their public hearing on Sept. 5.

Mayor Pro Tem Walker Moffitt asked if it's up to municipalities or the state to prioritize requests. Nuttall said the state will make those evaluations.

"If they're going to pick and choose, is there no reason we don't support them all," Moffitt said. The council agreed to hear public comment on all the proposals at the Sept. 5 meeting.

Nan and John Revell, co-chairs of the Jarrell Garden's community fundraising efforts, were there to support the garden. Nan reiterated their mission and vision statements to create a downtown greenspace, a space for residents and visitors, and a protected habitat for local plants and wildlife.

Former Mayor David Jarrell also spoke, saying, "It's going to be a great asset for the city. It's going to be a facility that is available for school kids to use, for people to just go and enjoy nature."