Community Development

Judy Hills is the Director of Economic and Community Development.  She is primarily responsible for the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, the NC Economic Development Technical Assistance Grant (EDTAG) and all other projects or initiatives related to community development. Here is a sample of activities of this past fiscal year:

ECC staff consulted with several counties, municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses regarding the availability of and eligibility for various grants.  ECC maintains free Grant Writers Support Group listserv.  Several times a week grant and other pertinent information is emailed to over 250 participants.  
 

Currently there is one Economic Development Administration funded construction project underway. Pamlico Community College was awarded a $1.5 million grant from EDA for construction of a Life Care Learning Center and auditorium. This project is due to be completed in December 2007.

Two other EDA projects have been completed recently: Lenior Community College completed a Science and Technology Building and Craven Community College expanded and remodeled their Maching Center.
 

ECC is a State Data Center Affiliate and the Planning Department is responsible for assisting those needing census and economic data for the ECC Region. Because most of the data is now available via the Internet and because most professionals are accustomed to doing their own research, this service is infrequently requested.

ECC is also responsible for assisting the NC State Clearinghouse with getting local input on environmental impact studies of projects proposed in the ECC Region.  
 

Technical assistance/support:

ECC gets many requests for various types of assistance. Most of these requests required an Internet search for data. This data is then supplied to the requestor and additional assistance is provided, if requested. There were numerous requests for information this past year. 

Workshops:

During the year ECC attempts to identify the need for training. Once a training need is verified, ECC identifies resources needed to fulfill the need. Sometimes ECC partners with other agencies to accomplish the training. Currently ECC is assisting the Census Bureau prepare for the 2010 Census in the ECC Region.