Grant may get nod within 30 days

By Maurice Emery
Editor Emeritus

At a public hearing on Monday night the Littleton Observer representatives were the only ones present outside of the principals. The required hearing was scheduled to allow Littleton citizens to provide their input for a request for a Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development (CDBG-ED).

The meeting called by The Littleton Town Board of Commissioners was held in the town hall. 

The town is requesting $477,137 from NC Department of Commerce for improvements to the present storm water runoff system in Littleton. The improvements will deal with the runoff problems on Rt. 158 at the site of the new Window Fashions and other locations. 

The grant will allow the town to repair several storm water runoff drains and make them safer for town residents. Areas to be repaired are Rt. 158 at Plant, Warren St., Ferguson St., Johnson and Halifax. The project will also allow for the expansion of the bridge on Warren St. from one lane to two lanes. 

The grant should be approved within thirty days. According to Cathy Scott of Pro-Grant Writers of Roanoke Rapids, the original grant request was for $447,137 but had to be increased to $477,137 due to cost increases from the time the original grant request was submitted.

If approved, the grant will bring the total amount in money for grants on the various water systems in Littleton to over $4.3 million dollars. Commissioner Betty Willis has been working on grants for the town for several years. The town has received a Rural Center Supplemental Grant, a CDBG Infrastructure Grant and a Clean Water Management Trust Fund Grant.

The grants have been used to upgrade the sewer system, water run off system and freshwater system in the town. The sewer system grants allowed the town to rebuild the lift stations throughout the town and bring them up to state codes. They are still working on completing the sewer systems.

The formal approval for the current CDBG grant request is scheduled for the town meeting on Sept. 4.