By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — This month, the town of East Spencer has received word that it will receive  two Community Development Block grants that will assist the town in the revitalization of some houses and a sewer project.

During the board’s Dec. 2 meeting, Assistant Secretary Kenny Flowers of the N.C. Department of Commerce presented the town with a $750,000 check. The grants are offered through the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division and will pay for the rehabilitation or repair of homes.

Mayor Barbara Mallett said the town hasn’t received information yet regarding the criteria for revitalization of homes, but that she believes it will be similar to a grant the town received in 2014. She said there will be opportunities for interested residents to apply for home rehabilitation.

Components of the grant could include park improvements such as playground equipment, shelters or trails; neighborhood improvements such as greenways or sidewalks; and new community buildings or improvements to existing ones.

The town had already received a $1.9 million Community Development Block Grant for infrastructure, which would remove a pump station at the Royal Giants Park and allow the town to make other minor sewer repairs in town. Mallett said some sewer lines need to be replaced because some residents have experienced sewer back-ups and sunken sewer lines attached to the mainline.

“It’s a good thing. It will take a whole year to do the paperwork then bid out the work,” Mallett said.

She estimates the projects will be completed by 2023.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.