HUD grant will fund conversion of Clinchfield Mill into 200 senior apartments, officials say

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded an $11,000,000 grant to convert the historic Clinchfield Mill in Marion, McDowell County, into affordable housing for about 200 seniors, officials said at a ceremony attended by local leaders and federal representatives.

Congressman Chuck Edwards, the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 11th District, opened the event and called the project a model for western North Carolina’s recovery after Hurricane Helene. "This project exemplifies so many terrific things that are going on in Western North Carolina," Edwards said, and he noted Congress had increased HUD’s funding by 9% in the current appropriations cycle and recently passed housing bills in the House.

The HUD secretary, who attended and spoke at the event, described Clinchfield Mill as a "prime example of new life" for a historic structure and said the grant made the project possible. The secretary also highlighted broader disaster-recovery spending, saying Asheville is using $225,000,000 in HUD Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds and that, nationally, significant CDBG-DR allocations exist for affected states.

"This building was an empty textile mill. Now it's been turned to affordable housing for 200 seniors," the secretary said, framing HUD’s role as a convener and partner with local groups and philanthropy rather than a stand-alone solution.

Kevin Schwab, president and CEO of Givens Communities, which will operate the development, described the project as part of a regional effort to expand supportive, high-quality housing for older adults. Schwab thanked federal, state and local partners, including the HUD 202 program, Dogwood Health Trust and Congressman Edwards’ office, and recognized local staff who shepherded the work. "The Clinch Memorial Project represents the power of partnership and the strength of community," Schwab said.

Mayor Smith, who identified himself at the podium as mayor of the town of Boca Fort, described extensive storm damage to his community and surrounding areas, saying roughly 47 homes were lost and estimating about $30,000,000 in damage. He said FEMA had provided about $4,000,000 so far and urged federal agencies to expedite remaining recovery work. Mayor Smith also said the town recently completed a major road repair on Westerman Street.

Officials at the event also discussed the availability and use of disaster-recovery funds. The HUD secretary stated that while substantial CDBG-DR allocations have been made — including figures cited for North Carolina and nationally — only a small portion had been drawn down so far. The secretary urged local partners to continue the work of drawing funds and implementing projects.

The $11,000,000 HUD grant was identified by event speakers as a principal funding source for the Clinchfield Mill conversion. Details about housing timelines, the precise move-in schedule for residents and the full financing breakdown beyond the cited grant were not specified at the ceremony.

Officials said the Clinchfield Mill project is intended to free up other housing in the region by providing stable senior units and to spark additional local investment and construction, but they did not provide a firm completion date or a detailed budget breakdown at the event.