Bethel, along with three other towns in North Carolina, has received a $950,000 grant through the federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program for housing and public space improvements. Governor Josh Stein visited Bethel to highlight the role of the funding in supporting community development and economic growth. The grant is intended to assist neighborhoods affected by aging housing and infrastructure, according to the Governor's office.
Governor Josh Stein highlighted the importance of the funding in a statement, noting that the Neighborhood Revitalization program will support updates to housing and infrastructure, helping families access safer homes and modernized public spaces. In addition to Bethel, the towns of Elm City, La Grange, and Nashville are receiving CDBG funding, with more than $12 million allocated statewide for community development projects.
Bethel Mayor Carl Wilson commented on the grant’s impact, noting that the funding will support neighborhood improvements and enhance housing conditions for local residents. Following the announcement, Governor Stein toured several homes in Bethel slated for revitalization through the CDBG program and met with homeowners who will benefit from the funding.
Reginald Speight, Assistant Secretary of the Rural Economic Development Division at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, highlighted the role of housing in supporting rural communities. He noted that the CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization program helps towns like Bethel address housing needs while promoting economic growth. Since 2017, North Carolina has received more than $355 million in CDBG funding to support community development projects focused on housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.
The grant is part of a broader federal and state effort to support local governments in meeting the needs of low- and moderate-income residents. The program aims to extend the benefits of community development and infrastructure improvements beyond urban centers to smaller towns and rural areas across the state.
