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Grants manager reports on 2024 awards and upcoming opportunities including broadband and parks projects
Summary
Wilson County's grants manager briefed commissioners on new and ongoing grants for FY2024, including water grants, park and recreation opportunities, broadband grant outreach, and potential Golden Leaf and Duke Endowment funding for EMS and other departments.
Tiffany Purdy, Wilson County grants manager, presented the county's 2024 grants report and outlined current and prospective funding opportunities during the March 3 meeting.
Purdy told commissioners that many of the county's grants are multiyear awards and that the presentation focused on awards received during the fiscal year. She reported three water-related grants — two large grants that recently underwent a state audit — and said one project (County Line) has finished using its funding. She noted supply-chain and contractor availability have slowed some capital projects and that state staff are assisting the county in meeting procurement/bidding requirements.
Purdy described projects in recreation and economic development under consideration: potential PARTF (North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) support for boat-ramp improvements at Quintinna Creek in Stantonsburg, a nomination for Lowe's grant assistance for the Rotridge Athletic Association, and other local efforts. She said county staff would seek board approval if matching funds were required.
On broadband, Purdy and county leaders said state-administered broadband grant programs open to providers can create challenges where an incumbent provider (Greenlight) already has infrastructure in parts of the county; she said the county has repeatedly encountered that hurdle but is hopeful the current round will differ. Applications for the state broadband program are due in March.
Purdy also noted outreach related to health-related foundations: EMS is pursuing a trauma survivability grant, the senior center is pursuing a healthy-living grant, DSS is pursuing behavioral-health funding, and the health department is applying for a bridging-the-gap grant. She said staff would continue to identify opportunities with Golden Leaf, the Duke Endowment and regional rural networks and would coordinate with department heads.
