Appropriations

Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center (RCCHC) is proposing a 5,550 square foot new construction facility to be located at 312 S. Pine Drive in Aulander, NC 27805 to ensure continuity of access to high quality primary health care services.  The new integrated care practice will include 7 dental operatories, 4 medical exam rooms, and 1 behavioral health office.  This new location will expand access to high quality, affordable oral health services for Bertie County residents.  The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Shortage Designation Branch indicates that there is a shortage of 2.5 full-time employee dentists in Bertie County.  Once constructed, RCCHC is proposing to staff the new 7-chair clinic with 2 dentists and 2 hygienists, increasing access for all Bertie County residents to improve and maintain their oral health.

The funding would be used to construct an to expand established apprenticeship training programs an to develop new apprenticeship programs at Wayne Community College (Wayne CC).   Appropriations funding will be used for tuition assistance and student fees, as well as for related equipment to include trainers and simulators needed to train apprentices.  As local industries struggle to rebound from the pandemic, some are reporting more job vacancies now than before the pandemic began.  Companies look to WCC for skilled workers.  WCC has a proven track record of working with these local and regional industries like Smithfield Foods and Mt. Olive Pickle Company to develop apprenticeship programs that are tailored to their specific needs and that help develop employees to take ‘hard-to-fill’ positions within their companies - such as maintenance technicians.  WCC must also work diligently to develop new apprenticeship programs to meet employer demand, especially in the field of healthcare.  It is imperative that we use updated and relevant equipment to attract students to these programs and to be sure that students are trained on the most up-to-date equipment.

The funding would be used to construct an Allied Health Building at Wilson Community College (Wilson CC). Wilson CC currently provides nursing and surgical technology degrees, as well as short-term training in other healthcare skills. But to meet the county's multiple, critical healthcare deficits more fully it must expand its offerings to include at least one imaging science and/or oral health science, and others in the future. Thus, an Allied Health building was recently approved as the lynchpin of Wilson CC’s 2021-2031 Master Plan. Situated among five higher-population, urban-designated counties (NCDHHS), Wilson County competes fiercely for employees, employers, and even resident citizens.  Expanded healthcare-education opportunities will not only promote wellness in these communities, the county, and the region at large, but it will also increase lucrative employment opportunities for the under- and un-employed across all demographics, making Wilson County more competitive.

The Town of Elm City is restoring the Heritage Cemetery, previously known as the Elm City Colored Cemetery, with a historic groundbreaking planned for Summer 2022. The restoration of the Elm City Heritage Cemetery is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it represents an invaluable investment in culture, education, and community. Visitors of all ages will be enriched by the cemetery’s historic presentation.  Residents, families, and visitors will enjoy lifelong learning experiences through the cemetery’s display of patriotism honoring WWII Veterans and historic cultural enrichment.  The Heritage Cemetery will also be a location for residents and visitors to connect to their roots and for people of all backgrounds to discover cross-cultural connections and celebrate the Town's multicultural make up.

The Hertford Recreation Center will serve as the first community and health center in the county. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will help improve the community’s health by providing fitness, organized sports, and health education classes on topics like diabetes and obesity and will help address juvenile justice issues by providing youth with a safe place to gather.

The Pleasant Hills pump station replacement project will replace an outdated pump station currently serving the historic community of Soul City. The appropriate wastewater infrastructure needs to be in place to ensure clean water and environmental protection of residents, in addition to ensuring the safety of county workers. Staff frequently repair the pump station utilizing parts no longer made for the antiquated pump. Additionally, conditions within the pump station are tight and precarious for staff troubleshooting issues and making repairs. Additionally, housing availability continues to be a major challenge for residential recruitment and retention in our rural county, which lost population in the 2020 Census. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it with significantly help the community’s current residents, help attract future residents, and improve safety conditions for county workers.

The funding for the City of Wilson’s Sewer Collection System will be used to repair and/or replace sewer collection lines that are in disrepair. This project will support the on-going efforts of the City of Wilson to update its outdated utility system as older portions are in severe disrepair, allowing for infill and infiltration and at times, sewer collection system failures. The City of Wilson’s 10-year plan shows a variety of utility projects that are needed, and this allocation of funding will allow the City of Wilson to accelerate the much needed repairs to the City’s sewer collection system.

The funding would be used to partially resurface the 19 miles of roads in the Town of Robersonville. The streets have not been repaved, repaired and/or completed leaving several potholes around the town. The neglected hazardous road conditions have become unsafe to the town’s citizens.

The funding will build a pedestrian bridge to provide unimpeded access across the existing CSX rail corridor, effectively connecting all of Downtown Rocky Mount for pedestrian traffic. The bridge will be located on the northern end of East and West Main Street in immediate vicinity to the Rocky Mount Event Center, providing visitors access to all businesses and amenities Downtown. This project is a continuation of several public investments in Rocky Mount’s Downtown to promote economic growth, including streetscape improvements.

This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will help Williamston in its revitalization efforts and to address blight issues in the community. Williamston is a Tier 1 County but with great potential, sitting along Highway 17/64 and the Future I87. To date, Williamston has identified twenty-three homes that need demolition and repair. These homes are all located in poorer and underserved areas of the town and have contributed to a decline in the local housing market, decreased quality of life, and an increase in crime. As part of this revitalization effort, issues such as asbestos, electrical service and wiring, heating and air, poor water and sewer service, status of landscaping, and potentially other issues will be considered. This project is necessary to increase the health and safety of the community.

The funding will be used to expand the service of the Wilson RIDE program. Since it’s launching, Wilson RIDE has brough on-demand microtransit to the local community, providing an equitable, efficient, and sustainable way to move around the City of Wilson. The service has grown rapidly – quickly surpassing its original ridership target – providing over 188,000 trips to over 4,250 riders. Currently the service operates 5:30am - 7pm Monday through Friday and 7am to 6pm on Saturdays. As demand has grown, the City has seen a need for expanded service during peak commuting hours, a need from third shift workers for nighttime service, and requests from the general population for service on Sunday. The community project funding will allow the City to provide improved service during peak commuting hours and expand hours and days of operation to ensure all Wilsonians have access to safe and reliable transportation.

The funding would be used to make improvements to a host of community parks in the City of Wilson’s lowest income census tracts. These improvements will be done in accordance with the City’s adopted Parks and Recreation Plan, Parks and Recreation ADA Assessment, and community organization wishes for enhanced parks and cultural facilities. Due to the number of parks and a growing population, older parks have suffered from deferred maintenance. In addition, the Freeman Roundhouse Park and Museum will add on a community room and additional museum space to serve as a gathering space for the community and to tell a rich civil rights story documenting the leadership and dedication of the Wilson African American Community to equality and equity. Nearly all of the parks that would be rehabilitated, including the Roundhouse facility are within walking distance to public housing and/or properties that utilize HUD rental assistance programs.

The funding will be used in the north and south sides of Greenville. Many of the community’s residents and students rely on non-motorized transportation to reach jobs, health care, education, and other daily needs. The project will enhance community engagement, safety, and wellness. This project will provide the first off-the-road connections across the river and will help the city address the lack of safe multimodal options for the Transportation Disadvantaged Communities located on the east and northeastern side of the city. The greenway extension will connect these areas to their major employment, medical, educational, and government service centers via existing multimodal network. It also will provide an off-the-road option to new recreational amenities. Simultaneously, the project will connect the West Greenville community to two of the largest parks in the city.

This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because the Hertford Economic Development Center (the Center) will help jump-start start-up businesses in a disadvantaged community.  The Center will serve as a small business center and incubator, the county’s first.  Hertford County’s community unemployment rate historically trends higher than the state and national averages.  In addition, Hertford County is experiencing an out-migration resulting in a smaller and older population.  The Center will help foster new businesses in the community which will lead to greater employment and economic stability. The Center will provide an opportunity for small startup businesses to establish a foundation for long term success.  The Center occupants will be offered mentors, business plan development workshops, marketing, and other resources to increase their probability of success.

The funding would be used to develop the flood control and trail design along the north-south Hominy Swamp Creek, a small, flood-prone creek west of burgeoning Downtown Wilson and through several of Wilson’s areas of persistent poverty.  The project will manage stormwater much better than the current conditions, as no stormwater collection system is in place on these streets and flooding is common.  Both the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff will be addressed, providing enhanced safety and water quality benefits. This project will provide improvements along 3.8 miles of the Hominy Creek.

Click Here