Avery County hears broadband and recovery grant updates, holds public hearings for senior center CDBG and transportation funding

Avery County officials on Sept. 9 reviewed several recovery and infrastructure grants, held a public hearing on a potential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for a new senior center and approved local funding for transportation services.

Edward Hinson of Skyline/Skybest told the Board that Avery CAB 1, awarded June 14, 2024, carries a total project cost of $9,999,410.13 with a grant of $7,999,528.10 and a local match of $1,499,911.52 to reach 956 locations across 260 miles; construction must be completed by Oct. 31, 2026. He said Avery CAB 2 (awarded April 1, 2025) totals $1,889,000 (grant $1,322,300; match $566,700) to reach 805 locations over 39 miles, with construction due Dec. 31, 2026. Hinson identified three required remote locations in the county: Riverside Elementary School, Crossnore–Walt Clark Road and Watauga Street in Newland.

During a public hearing on a CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program application for a proposed senior center (application due Oct. 29, 2025), county staff explained the NC Department of Commerce has roughly $12.2 million budgeted for the program with maximum awards of $5 million for communities affected by Hurricane Helene, and that most beneficiaries must be low- or moderate-income (under 80% of county median). No members of the public spoke. The Board later approved the county’s Home and Community Care Block Grant funding plan for 2025–26, which totals $186,147 and requires a local match of $20,683; Philip Adams, director of the Avery County Senior Center, requested the approval.

Debbie Smith, director of Avery Transportation, opened a public hearing on the FY 2027 Community Transportation Program grant application and said the county will request an estimated $326,710 for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 with a local share of $40,824 (administrative request $163,060 with local $24,459; combined capital $163,650 with local $16,365). There were no public comments; the Board adopted the resolution and approved local funding.

County Manager Phillip Barrier Jr. provided a broader recovery update: the county has received three of five expected grants (including BEAD), Samaritan’s Purse is working on four homes and staff reported about 1,009,000 cubic yards of debris removed. Barrier said the Senior Center FEMA grant remains under review and that, if a CDBG application is successful, the county would build the new center at the radio station property and order temporary offices while pursuing paving quotes.

All grant-related actions taken at the meeting passed unanimously by those present.