The Henderson City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to hold a public hearing on June 9, 2008 pursuant to an application with the Embassy Foundation for a Community Revitalization Grant with the North Carolina Department of Community Assistance.
The grant, if obtained, will be directed towards the completion of architectural drawing and initial construction of Phase II of the Embassy Square Project.
Early in the discussion, Henderson council member Mike Rainey questioned why a public hearing needed to be held on a grant application.
Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt replied that the Embassy Foundation has designs “on a significant [community development] grant”, and that for it apply, it has to apply through the [city]. Community Development Director Erris Dunston confirmed that a public hearing must be held before application is made and after the funds are received.
Dunston told the council that the city would be required to administer the grant, a service for which it would receive 10% to 18% of the grant.
Wyatt also stated that [the Embassy Foundation] has a “clear understanding” that it will receive a significant amount of funding.
According to the interim city manager, a match for the grant is not required at this time. It is unclear if a match will be required in the future for this grant, and whether the city or the Embassy Foundation would be responsible for it.
When originally proposed, the Embassy Project was touted as not requiring city funds. However, approximately $1.8 million in city funds have gone into the project thus far.