U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre announced the federal funds for the community projects in Sampson County earlier this week. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and obligated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The funds include a $12.4 million loan and a $400,000 grant awarded to Sampson for the construction of the new elementary school. Another $1 million loan and $455,000 grant goes to the city of Clinton to make downtown improvements, including the relocation of above-ground utilities underground.
McIntyre said it is important for local communities to see the effects of stimulus monies, especially in the form of new schools and revitalization efforts.
“These are projects that are long overdue for this type of funding,” McIntyre stated this week by phone. “With the growth of the school population, the elementary school was very much needed. We also wanted to make sure we are doing right by our children.”
USDA first approved a $7 million loan for a projected $12 million cost for a new Charles E. Perry in September 2005. With the loans nearly four years old, USDA officials requested this past fall that the county move forward with a project timeline or de-obligate the loans.
Last November, under deadline by USDA, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners approved, in a 3-2 split vote, going ahead with construction of C.E. Perry, with the stipulation that construction begin no sooner than this fall.
School officials said the school was at the very top of the priority list and, with its sinking foundation and aged facilities, construction of a new building was a necessity. The board voted unanimously to move forward with C.E. Perry. The vote amongst county commissioners was not nearly as unequivocal.
Commissioners Billy Lockamy and Jarvis McLamb, while each conceding the school was in need of attention, raised concerns about the economy and the county possibly biting off a larger funding obligation than it could chew. They dissented in the split vote.
County finance officer David Clack has said it would be 2013 before the county would begin to make payments on the loan. Payments will be $660,000 annually for the estimated $12.4 million project. The county has previously advanced $500,000 for architect fees at C.E. Perry, and school officials said it would cost around $35,000 to finish the design plans.
McIntyre said he is glad to see money go toward a continued downtown revamp for Clinton as well.
“Having been the president of a downtown revitalization committee before going to Congress myself, I know how important it is to do everything we can to bolster our local economy,” said McIntyre. “This is another step forward to help the All American City of Clinton continue its strong vitality in these tough economic times.”
Earlier this week, the City Council adopted a resolution formally accepting the $455,000 grant and allow staff to accept bids for the project in accordance with USDA guidelines.
“This is big news, that we’re able to get a third of our money for a downtown revitalization project to help that move forward,” said Mayor Lew Starling, who commended staff for moving quickly in an attempt to secure funding. “This is big, big news.”
Jeff Vreugdenhil, director of Clinton-Sampson Planning and Development, requested that the Council allow city staff to go toward accepting bids for the project.
“We’ve been awarded the loan and grant,” said city manager John Connet, “and now we’re going through the administrative process.”
The basic design for the Downtown Revitalization Phase III, initially approved by City Council in February 2009, includes widening of sidewalks, relocation of utility lines underground and streetscaping, all in an effort to improve the appearance of downtown and make it more inviting.
Overall, the revitalization project will encompass the old jail site and extend down Vance Street to Beaman Street. It also will include all of Connesstee Street, from College Street to Vance Street, and Vance Street, from Sampson Street to Beaman.
The complete project encompasses underground utilities, new sidewalks, resurfaced streets, building an enclosure for dumpsters on Connesstee Street and a retaining wall to eliminate erosion at the old jail site. The improvements would also include removing the broken concrete wall that lines College Street and replacing it with a brick wall. The lot would also be configured, “making it a little more pedestrian-friendly,” Connet has noted.
Early estimates for the project are between $1.4 and $1.5 million. It was shelved last year due to a down economy. Now, it is closer on the horizon, something McIntyre said is a positive development.
“These are exciting times when you can see monies going into schools and into the downtown,” McIntyre remarked. “These are tangible ways we can see the effects of this recovery and reinvestment in our local communities. We wanted to make a bold, positive step forward and that’s what we have been able to do.
“I’m very excited that these monies are coming home to help local citizens, local communities and local schools,” he said.
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.
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