Hope Mills presents legislative funding requests for parks, a resource center and a regional transit pilot

Hope Mills officials used a special legislative delegation meeting to press for targeted gap funding to complete local projects they said are already under way or shored up by grants.

The town's presiding official said the meeting's "main purpose" was to present the town's funding request to the local state legislative delegation and outlined priorities including parks, a resource center retrofit and regional transportation coordination. Chancellor Kwala, the town manager, told delegates that binders provided to legislators include a community investment plan, the newly adopted strategic plan and legislative fact sheets detailing costs and secured grants.

Why it matters: Town leaders said grants and outside funding have substantially reduced project costs, leaving relatively small funding gaps that they asked the delegation to help fill so the town can proceed without a new property tax increase. Officials framed the requests as investments in recreation, senior services, walkability and regional mobility that they said will boost quality of life and economic opportunity.

Heritage Park and Lake Park:…