Government

Warren County Awarded $500,000 Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency

Warren County will receive a total of $500,000 over three years for a community-wide brownfields assessment.

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2022

us epa warren county north carolina nc grant

Warren County government was recently named one of thirteen grant recipients in North Carolina for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Assessment Program. The county will receive a total of $500,000 over three years for a community-wide brownfields assessment. The grant does not require a local match.

A brownfield is defined by the EPA as a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

The assessment program funded through this grant will allow the county to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct a range of planning activities, develop site-specific cleanup plans, and conduct community involvement related to brownfield sites. The grant will officially kick-off October 1st with the start of the federal fiscal year.

“This grant from the EPA is tremendous for Warren County. It falls right in line with the discussion the Board of Commissioners had earlier this year related to the work needed so that our potential sites for development or redevelopment are ready when opportunities arise,” stated County Manager Vincent Jones.

“These funds will now allow us to move forward with identifying and conducting assessments on sites throughout the County, so we will be ready when development opportunities are presented,” Jones continued. “I am excited to see our Community and Economic Development Department bring this program to life. I’d also like to thank North Carolina’s own, EPA Administrator Regan and his team, for their support of Warren County.”

Included in the project budget is funding for community meetings to engage citizens on possible brownfields identification as well.

“We can assess approximately 20 sites throughout the county,” explained Charla Duncan, Director of Community & Economic Development for Warren County. “We will also be able to build out an inventory of sites for possible future funding, and work on a brownfields redevelopment plan, but also we can better understand concerns involving our land and community.”

For more information, contact Charla Duncan at Warren County Community & Economic Development at 252-257-3115.

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Government

Warren County to Hold Community Input Event for Future Community Center

The goal of this event is to seek input on what Warren County residents would like to see in a future community center.

Published

2 months ago

September 8, 2024

Team Warrenist

warren county north carolina community and economic development input

Warren County will be seeking input on what residents would like to see in a future community center. / Credit: Warren County NC Facebook page

Warren County will hold a public engagement event on Friday, September 13th, from 6-8 pm on the Warren County Courthouse Square in downtown Warrenton. The goal of this event is to seek input on what residents would like to see in a future community center. This floating event will take place during the 2024 Warren County High School homecoming meet-and-greet.

In 2023, Warren County purchased forty acres on US Hwy 158 Business between Warrenton and Norlina as the future site of a community center and civic complex. The county recently launched its feasibility and initial design work on the project.

For more information about this event, please contact Warren County administration office at 252-257-3115 or email Charla Duncan at charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

Government

Applications Open for NC Rural Center’s Rural Economic Development Institute

The NC Rural Center has opened the application period for its Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the organization’s flagship leadership development program. Current and emerging leaders across the state are invited to apply.

Published

3 months ago

August 14, 2024

Team Warrenist

nc rural center rural economic development institute applications north carolina

REDI / Provided Photo

The NC Rural Center has opened the application period for its Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the organization’s flagship leadership development program. Current and emerging leaders across the state are invited to apply.

Since its founding in 1990, the three-month intensive training program has helped nearly 1,200 people develop skills and increase their knowledge of economic and community development strategies, equipping them with the tools they need to tackle challenges in their rural communities.

“Rural communities need strong leadership to thrive,” said Olaunda Green, director of leadership training at the Rural Center. “We’re proud to provide training opportunities that not only equip established leaders but also emerging leaders who will greatly impact the future of rural North Carolina.”

Each year REDI welcomes local, state, and federal government staff, nonprofit and faith-based leaders, business owners, elected officials, economic development professionals, and other community-minded people for nine days of intensive rural community economic development training. Graduates of REDI join an extensive alumni network that spans all of North Carolina’s 100 counties and includes graduates from the Rural Center’s other leadership training program, Homegrown Leaders. Many of the Center’s leadership alumni are active in state and local government, and in philanthropic, nonprofit, and small-business sectors, as well as in faith and community-based organizations.

Applications will be available on the REDI webpage and accepted through September 15.