Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue announced Friday that the Town of Dobbins Heights has been awarded a North Carolina Community Development Block Grant Catalyst Project Grant of $500,000 towards the building of a new community center.
“This is a great day in the town of Dobbins Heights,” said Blue at Town Hall. “This was a dream I had, and it will effect everyone.”
Blue said in December 2011, after his return flight home from Africa, he received a phone call that set this project in motion. The Town of Dobbins Heights applied for the grant in January. He said the project was welcomed among partnering agencies like the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Richmond Community College, which wrote letters of support for the grant.
“This has been a great year for the town of Dobbins Heights,” said Blue. “We will start with the building as soon as we get the green light. This is much needed and it will get plenty of use. Citizens can use it.”
“This is a great opportunity to have a partnership,” said Richmond County Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. “This is well needed and well deserved. This will put and keep Dobbins heights on the map. This is truly proactive, you are making something happen.”
Joe A. Young is a member of Dobbins Heights Concerned Citizens.
“People are always talking about needing a safe place for the children,” said Young. “Now we can have classes. It’s going to be great for the children, the future leaders of the community. I commend the mayor for going after this.”
Dobbins Heights Director of Parks and Recreation Angeline David said although she couldn’t attend the meeting at which Blue made the announcement, she said, “This is such a blessing. I believe God chose us to receive this grant. He wants us to make things happen in our town and we’re moving forward. I wasn’t there for this meeting but I’ll be there for the groundbreaking.”
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
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