Morganton approves 2025–29 CDBG consolidated plan and 2025 action plan, contracts Western Piedmont COG to administer program

MORGANTON — The Morganton City Council approved the city’s 2025–2029 consolidated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plan and the 2025 action plan, adopted a one-year CDBG project budget ordinance, and authorized an administrative agreement with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) to administer the entitlement program.

Jennifer, who presented the item in the public hearing, said the consolidated plan and action plan cover small business assistance, grants to nonprofits, public facilities and infrastructure, and administrative costs. Staff reported the city was awarded $2,112,470 and expects roughly $30,000 in program income, for a total of about $2,242,470 to allocate across those projects. The 2025 action plan allocations presented to council included $90,000 for small business assistance, $30,000 for nonprofit grants, $79,976 for public facilities and improvements, and $42,004.94 for administration.

The council opened and closed the required public hearing on the consolidated plan and, after no speakers approached to comment, voted to approve the consolidated plan, the 2025 action plan and the project budget ordinance. Council also approved a contract with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to administer the CDBG entitlement program beginning July 1, 2025.

Staff said the grants and small-business assistance are popular with residents; they also said WPCOG will handle program administration and that staff will return with any required program documents and program administration details.

The council approved these items on voice votes.