Craven County holds three CDBG public hearings and approves CDBG CARES Act resolution

Craven County commissioners opened three required public hearings on Feb. 16 to consider applications and an amendment for Community Development Block Grant programs and then approved a resolution authorizing submission of a CDBG CARES Act (CDBG‑CV) application.

Jason Frederick introduced Kate Persinger of Insight Consulting Group, who explained the county’s plan to pursue three separate CDBG programs: CDBG‑CV (COVID‑related public services), CDBG‑ED (economic development/job creation), and CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization (housing rehabilitation and related services). Persinger said CDBG dollars come to the county via the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s rural economic development district and that federal rules require two public hearings for each program. Persinger opened an umbrella public hearing for all three programs and then program‑specific hearings for the CDBG‑CV and for an amendment to the county’s 2021 Neighborhood Revitalization grant.

Persinger told the board the county intends to apply for CDBG‑CV funds in 2026 to buy public‑service equipment for the county’s EMS and fire departments — listing items such as defibrillators and other equipment used during the pandemic response. She described the proposed CDBG‑CV application as an application “for a total of $81,800,000” as presented to the board. No members of the public signed up to speak during the hearings, and the commissioners opened and closed each hearing by motion and vote.

After the public hearings, the board considered a resolution authorizing county staff to file the CDBG CARES Act application and to allow the county manager to execute grant documents. A motion to approve that resolution was moved, seconded, and carried by the board.

Why this matters: CDBG funds can be used to support local emergency services and housing and economic development, and passing the authorizing resolution enables the county to pursue federal dollars that require local governing‑body authorization and execution of grant documents. The board’s action begins the formal application process; any award and final project details will depend on program rules, grant awards, and subsequent board approvals.

What’s next: Persinger and staff said some of the CDBG items (CV, ED, and NR) will require additional, program‑specific public hearings and further administrative steps before final applications are submitted. The county will return to the board for follow‑up hearings and for any required budget amendments if and when grants are awarded.