RICHMOND COUNTY- In the last 18 months, Richmond County has received in excess of $15 million in grants to benefit local citizens and businesses in the community.
Recently, the County received notice of denial of their request for a grant to address needs and upgrades to East Rockingham Park.
“We put in for a pretty substantial grant about four months ago, only 22 projects were funded state-wide and they were mainly smaller projects,” stated county manager Bryan Land.
The grant request for ERP was for $500,000, with plans for a $1,406,000 match from the county. There was only $6,000,000 awarded state-wide and it went to mainly small projects.
“I assure you we will be submitting (this project) again in next year’s cycle,” Land explained.
The grant application was made to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). This trust fund provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to local governments to be used for parks and recreational projects that will serve the general public.
Plans for East Rockingham Park initially included major renovation to the swimming pool and pool house, as well as new facilities such as a batting cage, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, new restrooms and changing areas and a new parking lot.
While this grant denial is disappointing, especially to the East Rockingham community, Land noted there have been many successful grants in the last 18 months.
The county has received funding for numerous projects totaling over $15 million. These grants include $475,000 to build and equip the new Sandhills AGInnovation Center, an FAA grant of $1.1 million for improvements to the airport, and $967,000 for a road widening and relocation project on US 1.
The North Carolina 911 Board provided funding for the new consolidated Emergency Services Complex, with just this project alone being worth $6,357,537. The Infant Mortality Program provided $120,000 to be used for cribs and safe sleep education.
Under the Community Development Block Grant, $2.4 million was granted to extend natural gas, waste water and water lines, and provide road construction in Richmond County.
A smaller, but worthwhile project, is being funded by former Richmond Raider and now NFL player Dannell Ellerbe. Ellerbe personally funds a program designed to bring Christmas to low-income children in his home county. This grant is responsible for providing Christmas for 59 low-income children and others within the school system.
Land noted that he and his county staff will continue to seek grants that bring the community better facilities and services without driving the county tax rates higher.
