Governor Stein Highlights Key Housing Grants in Bethel, North Carolina
In a recent visit to Bethel, Governor Josh Stein underscored the significance of a new grant aimed at revitalizing housing in Pitt County. Bethel, along with Elm City, La Grange, and Nashville, is set to benefit from a $950,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) designed to enhance housing and public amenities. This initiative aims to foster community stability and drive economic growth over the long term.
Governor Stein emphasized the need for infrastructure updates, stating, “Updating old housing and public infrastructure is vital to ensuring neighborhoods remain safe and prosperous.” He noted that the Neighborhood Revitalization program would alleviate the financial burden on families by providing safer homes, modern infrastructure, and reduced energy costs.
Bethel Mayor Carl Wilson expressed optimism about the impact of the funding, saying, “These investments are about strengthening Bethel’s neighborhoods and supporting the families who call this town home.” He highlighted the program’s role in repairing aging homes and improving community safety.
Assistant Secretary of the Rural Economic Development Division, Reginald Speight, added, “Safe, stable housing is the foundation of strong rural communities.” He pointed out that the CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization program addresses urgent housing needs while promoting sustained economic development.
In a broader context, the North Carolina Department of Commerce recently distributed over $12 million in CDBGs to eight local governments. These grants aim to enhance housing and public infrastructure for low- and moderate-income residents across the state.
Funded by the federal government, the CDBG-NR program allows municipalities to customize development projects based on specific community needs. A detailed breakdown of the awards includes:
| Community | County | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Avery County | Avery | $5,000,000 |
| Town of Bethel | Pitt | $950,000 |
| Town of Elm City | Wilson | $950,000 |
| Jackson County | Jackson | $2,530,647 |
| Town of La Grange | Lenoir | $950,000 |
| Town of Nashville | Nash | $950,000 |
| Town of Sandyfield | Columbus | $143,412 |
| Town of Wallace | Duplin | $556,400 |
While in Bethel, Governor Stein walked through areas set to benefit from the grant, engaging with homeowners who are poised to see improvements through the CDBG funding.
The CDBG program, under the administration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, has been instrumental in revitalizing North Carolina communities. Since 2017, the program has distributed over $355 million to enhance housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities throughout the state.
Read More Here
