KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis has received $963,000 in funding through the FY24 appropriations legislation that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden this spring. The community project funding award will support the addition of a new public safety communication tower in northwest Cabarrus County to improve police and fire responses to emergency calls and increase the safety of law enforcement and first responders.

Congresswoman Alma Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) submitted Kannapolis’ public safety communications tower project to the House Appropriations Committee and secured the funding for this project in the final FY24 appropriations legislation. The project will enhance radio communications in a remote area of Cabarrus County where law enforcement and first-responder personnel currently have limited to no radio coverage with 911 communicators when responding to emergency calls.

“No one who calls for help should have to fear that their cries will go unheard. This community project funding grant of $963,000, supporting a new Public Safety Tower in Kannapolis, will mean safer roads, parks, and homes across Cabarrus County. It is my honor to represent the people of Cabarrus County and bring their most remote areas in range of emergency communications,” Representative Alma S. Adams (NC-12) said.

Mayor Darrell Hinnant added, “We are thankful for Congresswoman Adams’ support of this project. Communication between our police officers and firefighters and the surrounding public safety departments in both Cabarrus and Rowan Counties is critical to the health and safety of our residents. Securing funding for this tower is very important to our city and we appreciate Congresswoman Adams understanding and supporting our request.”

The total cost of the tower is expected to be $2.1 million and in the FY 24-25 proposed budget the city will allocate the remainder of the cost of the tower. Construction will begin later this year on the tower which will be located on NC 3 near Odell School Road.