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Swain County approves $5.37 million agreement with Beverly Grant for Mariana Black Library project
Summary
Commissioners approved a construction contract that sets a $5,370,212 contract figure and moves the Mariana Black Library fundraising campaign into a public phase; the project budget is about $7.07 million with roughly $800,000 remaining to be raised, officials said.
Swain County commissioners approved a contract on July 1, 2025, to proceed with the Mariana Black Library project and authorized an agreement with contractor Beverly Grant, county staff said during the meeting.
The contract presented to the board showed a contractor figure of $5,370,212 and a total project budget of $7,069,217 (described in the presentation as “about $7.1 million”). County representatives reported that the campaign has raised about $6.3 million during a quiet phase of fundraising and expects to need roughly $800,000 more to meet the project budget. With contract approval, the library campaign will enter a public fundraising phase, county staff said, which will include a groundbreaking event and broader community outreach.
The county attorney and the finance director reviewed the contract documents, and staff reported no outstanding legal questions. The contract package included both the agreement with the contractor and a separate conditions/terms document. The county manager asked for a motion to approve the agreement; a motion and a second were made on the record and the chair called for a voice vote. The motion passed.
During the discussion, staff said the consultant and contractor had worked to reduce costs since an earlier presentation in December so the project could meet the lowered contract figure. County staff identified Beverly Grant as the listed contractor and described Swain County as the owner for the Mariana Black Library project.
Staff did not present a project schedule or an anticipated construction start date at the time of the vote; they said the public fundraising and campaign activities would follow contract approval. Officials also said they would continue to pursue grants and private gifts to close the remaining funding gap.
