03/28/2024
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By Erin Smith

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Monday night and heard from Bladen County Emergency Management Director Bradley Kinlaw regarding the progress of the North Carolina Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The board approved memorandums of understanding for reconstruction of three properties in the amount of $418,881 and the elevation of two structures in the amount of $245,931.

Two  of the structures scheduled for reconstruction are located in the Rowan County on NC 210 and the third structure is located on Old Fayetteville Road in the Ammon Community. The two structures scheduled for elevation are located in the Kelly community.

Kinlaw and Jessie Miars with Holland Consulting Planners also presented to the board with a set of policies and plans regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs and the NC Disaster Recovery Grants. Miars told the board the polices and plans are required to be in place before the county move forward in the process.

Miars said that reviews of files, verification of income levels as certain programs have income requirements in order for residents to participate have begun. She also told the board Holland Consulting Planners will assist with the procurement process for engineering work, lead based paint inspectors, etc.

She added there is not a final figure on exactly how many will residents who have submitted applications will qualify for the programs.

Kinlaw also told the board the Community Development Block Grant Hazard Mitigation program has been approved and residents will need to call 211 to schedule an appointment. He said an application center for the CDBG program will open in Bladen County on August 20; however, it will not be a walk-in center. Residents will need to call 211 to schedule an appointment. currently, the next closest application center is located in Columbus County.

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