ECU grants outreach network

(Feb. 28, 2001)   —   A $17,000 grant to Halifax County and more than $2.5 million in grant proposals for other communities in eastern North Carolina are among the efforts of an outreach organization at East Carolina University.The ECU Grants Outreach Network (ECU Grants-ON) and ECU Regional Development Services provides assistance to communities in finding public and private sources for development money and in writing grant proposals that ask for funding gifts. The ECU service was established last year.

Marti Van Scott, the network’s coordinator, said the organization “helps disadvantaged communities in eastern North Carolina reach their long-term community development goals by finding and obtaining public and private grants that match their needs.”

She said many of the proposals were developed for communities damaged by the high winds and floods caused by Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

The Halifax County grant provides funds for improvement and beautification of the town of Weldon, and for the construction of a new park along the Roanoke River. The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development presented the award to the Halifax County Tourism Development Authority.

Among other grant proposals involving the ECU Grants Outreach Network are for communities including Scotland Neck and Lake Wacccamaw. Projects already underway include helping Tarboro restore its Pattillo Elementary School and historic downtown area, and assisting Belhaven with recreational development.

ECU faculty and staff volunteer their services in researching the grant opportunities and in writing the proposals. Graduate students in ECU’s public administration program in the Department of Political Science, and in technical and professional communication area of the Department of English assist with research and proposal writing.

More information about the network is available by calling the ECU Grants-ON office at 328-6650 ext. 422/423.

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Contact: ECU News Bureau | 252-328-6481