Inscoe endorses sewer “hook-up” grant


Henderson City Council member Mike Inscoe endorsed a grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance for the purpose of hooking up low- to moderate-income housing to the sewer system in Henderson.

Inscoe made his remarks during this past Monday evening’s meeting of the Henderson City Council.

Noting that the DCA is the same agency where the city and the Embassy Foundation are applying for the $1 million grant for the planned performing arts center, Inscoe told members that the grant is good for a maximum of $75,000 for individuals who have city water but do not have city sewer.

Inscoe said that there may be “several hundred individuals” in the city that fit the description.

He said that he septic tanks of such houses “may be failing”, and for economic reasons the owners may not be able to do a hook-up to the sewer system.

Inscoe said that the grant which would pay tap fees plus contractor costs for installation could be administered through the Kerr-Tar Council of Governments.

The council member emphasized that no money would come out of city coffers, as the administrative fee would come from the grant as well.

Kerr-Tar COG President Timothy Baynes told the council that the application process has begun in Raleigh. He said that the city has to notify the DCA that it is interested. The city then has three months to submit the application.

Council member Garry Daeke asked how many homes could be served. Baynes responded that such grants have been limited to 21 housing units in the past.

During discussion it was also noted that rental units could not be modified under the grant unless the tenant and landlord both qualify as low- to moderate-income.

The council voted unanimously to proceed with the grant application process.