Hope Mills officials tout $16.56 million state bill to build new community center and ADA senior center upgrades

Mayor Jesse Bellflower announced that House Bill 327, filed by House Representative Dr. Francis Jackson, would appropriate $16,564,000 in state funds for directed grants to Hope Mills to construct a new community center and to design and renovate the Hope Mills Senior Center to meet ADA requirements. "It is now referred to the appropriations committee," the mayor said, noting the bill passed its first reading and moved to the House Rules, Calendar and Operations committee for further consideration.

The mayor framed the proposal as a milestone that would address long-standing space and accessibility needs: the current Parks & Recreation building dates to 1983 and has been outgrown by programming for seniors, adults and children. He said the preferred financing path is state-directed grants rather than local tax increases, adding that board members are following the bill’s progress on the N.C. legislative website.

Town staff and commissioners told residents that no tax rate is yet set for the next fiscal year and that the town is still in early budget stages. The mayor also addressed circulating claims about extreme property tax rates, saying, "It's not gonna be 70. It's not gonna be 80. It's not gonna be 90," and urging residents to participate in upcoming public hearings and budget workshops.

Why it matters: If enacted, HB 327 would supply state capital funding that the town says it seeks specifically to avoid increasing the local tax burden. The grants are intended to cover construction of a community center and design and renovation costs to make the senior center ADA compliant. Next steps: the bill remains in appropriations and would require legislative action before funds are available to the town; the board will continue public budget workshops and hold required hearings before adopting a final tax rate.