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The Blue Springs CDC went before the Hoke County Board of Commissioners in July, 2000 asking for their support and assistance by serving as a recipient agency for a $50,000 Capacity Building Grant. This Capacity Building grant is designed to enable the CDC to develop capacity to undertake an activity that it has previously been unable to carry out; i.e. community revitalization, housing development, and/or public facility construction. This grant, as part of the North Carolina Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, is expected to result in a future application within twenty-four months in one of the CDBG categories.

With this request of support, the CDC proposes to mount a comprehensive strategy aimed at community revitalization and housing development projects.

The Capacity Building grant will be utilized to assist in four specific areas which include: (1) hiring a project developer/manager to manage these new activities and assist in the development of a full-scale Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) project which is the anticipated outcome of this funding.

(2) Undertake a feasibility study/examination of the Hoke County housing stock aimed at producing a

a current/up-to-date document which accurately details the state of safe, affordable, asset-based housing in Hoke County. We seek clear information in the interest to move this initiative for

ward by earmarking development for low to moderate income families

(3) Focus on Land Acquisition Suitable for CDC Development:

A. The CDC has a primary interest to enter into affordable housing construction. The aim is to locate and purchase land which would facilitate the development of single family housing communities and maybe even multiple family housing communities which are comprehensive in scope. The comprehensive approach would combine housing units with family resource and recreation centers all in the same area in the interest to address a void which currently exists in Raeford/Hoke County.

B. The CDC is expanding staff-wise and program-wise and has a tremendous need for free-standing office space which would meet those expanded needs. Our offices are currently located on the second floor of a downtown building which is not elevator equipped. Our client base of older citizens and individuals with special needs have great difficulty navigating the stairs to receive needed services. An eventual long-term goal is to locate the CDC in facilities which are accessible to any and all persons seeking services and would further meet growing program needs.

(4) Shape a Proposal for CDBG Funding with Hoke County . The BSHC CDC seeks to partner fully with Hoke County Government to shape a project for CDBG funding which will address mutually shared concerns of increasing the quality of life for county citizens and residents.

We seek community support of this effort . Call 904-0312 for information.

The Blue Springs-Hoke County CDC can now be accessed from your personal computer. To visit us on the web, log

onto http// www.

bluespringscdc.com

The BSHCCDC Board

Richard Barber

Pamela Cobb

Christina Davis-McCoy

Dr. J W Gorham

Johnny Kershaw