Ashe County approves resolution to apply for $8.64 million CDBG-DR grant for multiuse path

After a public hearing, the Ashe County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize staff to apply for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding to build a multiuse path and supporting infrastructure in West Jefferson.

Judson Blevins of the High Country Council of Governments told the board the county’s application will request $8,641,000 to construct an 8- to 10-foot multiuse path on North Jefferson Avenue and 6th Avenue and to reconfigure lanes along US 221 Business with a concrete island to support pedestrian and bicycling connections to Patty Mountain Park and Downtown West Jefferson. "The application for CDBG-DR commercial district revitalization is due to the NC Department of Commerce by 08/04/2026," Blevins said.

Blevins said the NC Department of Commerce has substantial CDBG-DR funding available statewide for counties impacted by recent hurricanes and that the county will host a 10-day public comment period beginning 07/22/2026 on the county website. He also said a project description and an email address for written comment will be posted when the public comment period opens.

After opening and closing the public hearing, commissioners moved to adopt the resolution authorizing application submission. The motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff will finalize the application materials for the NC Department of Commerce deadline and post the public comment information on the county website on 07/22/2026.