A $200,000 grant from the state has been put to work with the demolition of the Hester Building, but the Bladen County Economic Development Commission is seeking additional funds for revitalization efforts. | Adobe Stock
A $200,000 grant from the state has been put to work with the demolition of the Hester Building, but the Bladen County Economic Development Commission is seeking additional funds for revitalization efforts. | Adobe Stock
Bladenboro is using state grants to help cover the costs to demolish derelict buildings, and it recently began with the flood-damaged Hester Building on Main Street.
In 2019, Bladenboro received a $200,000 grant with the assistance of the North Carolina General Assembly to begin a Downtown Revitalization Program, BladenOnline.com reported on Sept. 19. The Hester Building demolition left $178,050 of the initial funding.
Chuck Heustess, with the Bladen County Economic Development Commission, said that the remaining money is expected to be used to begin work on the west side of Main Street between Railroad Street and the former Housing Authority Building, BladenOnline reported.
But the demolition of derelict structures is not the only effort planned in the revitalization.
Heustess also recently asked the Bladenboro Commissioners to join as co-applicants for a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration grant to continue work on improving downtown, BladenOnline reported.
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