Nash County meeting: library director updates; grants overview and a slate of approvals including project center building reuse

The Nash County Board of Commissioners heard an informational presentation from the newly permanent Braswell Memorial Library director and a comprehensive grants briefing, and then approved a series of administrative and capital measures, including a building reuse application for “Project Center,” changes to capital project funding and several budget amendments.

Library update: Melissa Corso, who introduced herself as the permanent director of Braswell Memorial Public Library, told the board she has moved the library to full-time security coverage by Alliance Security and restored three full-time professional librarian positions, which she said lets the library meet state staffing requirements and remain eligible for state library support. “We have secured 3 full time librarian positions… we will continue to get that state library support financially,” Corso said.

Corso described efforts to buy local for technology services, citing a new relationship with Infranet, and plans for branch programming including a senior enrichment pilot at the Whitakers branch on Feb. 14, expanded job fairs that previously drew more than 400 attendees, and a return of a scaled summer reading kickoff. She said she is preparing a library strategic plan with a state grant and hopes the next county budget will include a 3% increase in operating support.

Grants briefing and building reuse: Emily Moore, grants and intergovernmental relations director, gave an overview of active programs and awards. She said Nash County secured $43,844,165 in grant funding in 2024, including $3,800,000 awarded directly to the county and approximately $40,000,000 awarded as a joint application with Nash County Public Schools. Moore reviewed housing programs (URP, ESFR, CDBG neighborhood revitalization), economic development grants such as Golden Leaf and Industrial Development Fund awards for Middlesex Corporate Center phase 2, and parks and recreation grants for Miracle Park at Cooper’s.

The board then unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing an application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce building reuse program for a renovation project identified as “Project Center.” The county’s resolution said the total new investment is expected to be roughly $600,000 with the creation of 20 new full‑time jobs by the end of 2026; the program may fund up to 50% of eligible costs (maximum award in this case would be $300,000). The resolution cites North Carolina General Statute relating to the Department of Commerce building reuse program.

Administrative and capital items approved: the board approved several project and budget ordinances and related items: - Appointment: Commissioners approved the county manager’s interim appointment of Melanie Eason as finance officer until a permanent hire is made. - County capital projects fund: the board established a capital projects fund to include MedPark building renovations, senior center expansion and exterior courthouse repairs and approved an initial appropriation of $710,000 to be reimbursed from future bank financing. - Detention facility: commissioners approved a $250,000 project ordinance amendment for phase 1 of detention facility renovation; funding was transferred from the general fund as previously approved in the FY24‑25 budget. - Reimbursement resolution: the board adopted a resolution of official intent to reimburse up to $17,910,000 in project costs if the county later finances those projects; listed projects include a $2.5 million senior center expansion, $4.5 million courthouse exterior renovation, $3.0 million MedPark renovation and other items. - LATCF/ARPA workforce grant: the board set up a special revenue fund to appropriate $50,000 of Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund/American Rescue Plan funds to support a regional workforce development digital advertising program (digital solutions) recommended by the ARPA committee. - Budget amendments: the board approved four budget amendments including health department revenues from a vet tech program ($13,402), purchase of land/building at 981 White Oak Road ($1,405,000), a $710,000 transfer to the capital projects fund, and a $5,021 appropriation for a farmers market CSA box program.

How votes were handled: most administrative and capital ordinance items were approved without extended debate and passed unanimously or by voice vote. The Project Center resolution was approved after the county’s grants director summarized the application; commissioners agreed to refer to the project by its code name until the commerce office allowed public company identification.

What remains informational: Emily Moore’s grants presentation covered numerous active and pending grant applications (housing rehabilitation URP/ESFR, CDBG projects, Industrial Development Fund awards, Golden Leaf, NCDOT economic development funding, and a digital literacy grant), and Moore offered to provide the board with her slide deck. Commissioners asked for follow-up on needs assessments for housing rehabilitation and requested more details from consultants where appropriate.

Next steps: project‑specific funding and design work will proceed as grant and financing approvals come through; the county manager and relevant department heads will return to the board with implementation details as required by the adopted ordinances and resolutions.