Skinnersville Civic Center seeks up to $950,000 from state Rural Transformation Grant; county asked to apply

Representatives of the Skinnersville Civic Center Board asked the Washington County Board of Commissioners on March 6 to apply for and provide a letter of support for an application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Transformation Grant program.

Jack Webb, vice-chair of the SCCB, described the civic center as a community-owned facility that hosts meetings, voting, classes and events. Grant writer Larry Norman and resident Chester McDowell detailed renovation needs, estimating about $320,000 in some specific repairs such as a shelter, kitchen expansion, front porch and parking upgrades. "$950,000 is what the SCCB is asking for," Richard Livingston Sr. said, adding that most awardees have received $800,000–$900,000 and that the program requires ownership of the land by the applicant.

County staff and SCCB representatives explained the application mechanics: the county must apply on behalf of the project and only one county project can be chosen for this grant cycle. County Manager Curtis Potter said the county learned of the grant in November and had circulated the opportunity to the three towns; he cautioned that award is not guaranteed. The application window is March 23–May 7, 2023.

Why it matters: the project would fund building repairs and programs (computer training, after-school and health programming) in a community facility that has been largely unused since 2019. SCCB representatives framed the grant as a way to revive local programming and create an internet hub and educational offerings.

Next steps: county staff will consider the SCCB request and the board will follow up with the civic center on whether the county will apply and provide the requested letter of support.