Wayne County expands resilience-hub network, adds $32,000 project-management amendment to contract

Wayne County commissioners approved an amendment to an existing contract with Elevate Energy to support an expanded Resilience Hub network and provide facility‑improvement technical assistance.

Erin Kelly, director of the county’s Sustainability and Innovation division, told the commission the amendment adds roughly $32,000 in project‑management activities to help spend SLURF funds on facility improvements and supports an 11th hub with a decarbonization assessment. Kelly said FEMA grants (just north of $1 million in total for program activities) fund the training and program development; SLURF funds pay for improvements to hub buildings and the county general fund covers staffing.

Commissioners asked for practical details about how hubs will serve residents. Anthony Cartwright, the county’s economic development director, said these hubs are existing community-serving organizations that will be trained and equipped to coordinate resource distribution, information sharing and shelter before, during and after hazard events. He said SLURF funds pay for building improvements (about $95,000 per hub) while FEMA funds the training.

"These are already existing places in the community that these people already know about and go to," Cartwright said, describing the hubs as local organizations that would act as agents for the county during emergencies.

Commissioner Baker McCormick asked for a copy of the curricula and clarification about hours of operation; staff said a standard curriculum has been developed and hubs will coordinate locally, with more detailed implementation steps to be worked out during a planning phase and community outreach.

The commission approved the committee’s referral and adopted the recommended items by voice vote. Staff agreed to provide additional materials and flyers to help commissioners explain hub services to their constituents.