County to pursue EDA disaster‑supplemental funding for economic development hub

County staff told the Caswell County Board of Commissioners on April 6 that the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) FY2025 disaster supplemental grant program could provide significant funding for projects aimed at economic recovery.

County manager Melissa Williamson outlined concept ideas—including repurposing the former county jail into an economic development hub and conference space, centralizing planning/inspections/economic development services, and improving shelter options—that staff and regional partners believe would score highly because Caswell County is designated as a distressed area. Williamson said staff have been working with PTRC and a consultant (Chloe Davis) on project preparation and hoped to submit an application as soon as May.

Williamson asked the board for authority to proceed with preparing and submitting the grant application; she emphasized staff would return to the board for approval before accepting any award or committing county funds. Commissioners raised questions about likely project scale and potential required matches; staff said the EDA program includes multiple funding tiers and could fund projects at 80–100%, and that being a distressed county increases the chance for minimal or no local match.

The board gave consensus to proceed with application preparation. If the county is invited to apply or awarded funding, staff said they would return to the commissioners to request approval to accept funds and any required match.

Williamson requested authority to proceed with submission; the board indicated consent to move forward with preparing the application.