Ashe County is currently experiencing a significant wave of investment aimed at long-term resilience and community growth. For residents, business owners, and local organizers, understanding these funding streams is the first step toward participating in our county’s evolution. Here is a breakdown of the key grants currently shaping our area and what is accessible to the public.
1. Infrastructure and Economic Growth
Substantial funding has been directed toward reinforcing the “backbone” of our local economy.
- Small Business Infrastructure Grants (SmBIZ): Recent state awards have allocated nearly $1 million specifically to the Town of Lansing. This grant focuses on restoring and rehabilitating infrastructure that supports the business district, ensuring that our local shops and services have the reliable water, sewer, and streetscape systems they need to thrive.
- Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund: Following recent weather events, millions in grants have been funneled into Western North Carolina to support flood mitigation and transportation resilience. In Ashe County, this includes funding for the Ashe County Advantage Project and Ashe County Recovery and Restoration, which work to ensure our roads and bridges are safer and more accessible for everyone.
2. Community and Nonprofit Support
For those looking to start or sustain community-focused projects, several recurring opportunities exist:
- Ashe County Community Foundation: This affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation typically accepts applications through late March. These grants (usually ranging from $500 to $2,000) support local nonprofits involved in education, arts, and human services.
- Golden LEAF Foundation: This foundation frequently funds projects in rural areas like ours that focus on economic catalyst programs and job creation. They provide a searchable database for local organizations to identify open cycles for workforce development and site improvement.
3. Direct Public Accessibility and Home Repairs
There are several programs designed to help individual citizens directly:
- USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants: This is a vital resource for low-income homeowners. It offers grants of up to $15,000 (specifically for those 62 or older in disaster areas) to remove health and safety hazards from their homes. Loans are also available for general modernization and repairs.
- Accessibility for Parks Grants: Ashe County and its municipalities are eligible for matching grants to build or adapt recreational facilities. This funding is dedicated to ensuring that local parks are accessible to children and veterans with disabilities, making our natural beauty available to every member of the community.
How to Get Involved
While many of these grants are awarded to local government or 501(c)(3) nonprofits, their impact is public.
- Monitor Town Meetings: Many infrastructure grants require public hearings or community input.
- Partner with Nonprofits: If you have an idea for a community project, partnering with an established local nonprofit can open doors to the Community Foundation or Golden LEAF funds.
- Check Eligibility: If you are a homeowner needing safety repairs, the USDA Rural Development office remains a year-round contact point for assistance.
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