Projects for Training and Education, Housing Development, and Economic Activity are continuing in the Town of Enfield. The Town has partnered with CADA to provide Homeownership Classes for Enfield residents. These classes are held in the neighborhood Senior Citizen's Center. The Town of Enfield helped rehabilitate that building through a roof replacement and the purchase of stack chairs for the training class. An additional Credit Enhancer of $10,000 was provided to a family residing in Enfield to assist in the purchase of their home. Partnership with the Enfield Police Department/Junior Police Officer Program continues. The Enterprise Alliance provided funding to purchase specialized Rodchopper AIFS Police Bicycles, navigation equipment for the Enfield Rescue Squad and carpeting for the Enfield Police Department. In addition to strengthening its partnerships, the Town of Enfield continues to foster development opportunities through long-term business development strategy of capital formation, business counseling and referrals, commercial revitalization and real estate development as part of the Enterprise Community activities.

The Halifax County Community Development Corporation (HCCDC) continues to provide small business services to the residents of Halifax County. The Intermediary Relending Program took on a new twist during 1999, as the HCCDC changed partners. Because HCCDC saw the need to expedite the lending process they are no longer in partnership with NC A&T State University, but are now partnering with the North Carolina Institute for Minority Economic Development to provide loans for small businesses in the three-county area. The Doe Spun renovation project has also taken on a new twist. The Doe Spun building that was previously marked for the community center project was held up due to circumstances beyond the control of HCCDC, but the community center will continue to move forward through the Hollister REACH, Inc. HCCDC has partnered with Hollister REACH to provide the much needed community center in the Hollister community. This partnership has proven to be successful and the community center is once again underway. 

This year has been a very successful one for capacity building and project development for the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. The seeds that were sown in 1998 have produced a bountiful crop in the majority of their benchmarks although they still have a long way to go before the harvest. During the year, Haliwa-Saponi had additional studies on the shopping strip project. These studies revealed the extreme costs of installing the types of sewer systems that would be needed for the project. The County of Halifax has provided the much needed water services to the community, however, the community still lacks sewage. The Tribe doesn't have funding at this time to install the type of sewer system needed for the shopping strip, therefore the Tribal Council has placed this project on hold. Haliwa-Saponi is currently in discussion with the Rural Development Office and the Halifax County Manager concerning how to collaborate and bring sewer service to the community.

The Turtle Island: Native American SA project (Native American Theme Park) is advancing. Last year's positive feasibility study and partnerships have enabled Haliwa-Saponi to obtain an additional $250,000 to conduct additional studies (market, environmental, architectural and engineering) for the project. This will allow them more site-specific data and help lay the foundation to begin the first phase of the project.

Again, largest success is with the Tribal housing programs. In 1999, the Tribe provided down-payment assistance to 10 families, including a $25,000 down payment disbursement towards purchase of a site-built home. Rehabilitation to over 15 houses of community members has been completed and two modular homes were purchased from the Tribe by low-income families through the Haliwa-Saponi's mutual-help homeownership program. Haliwa-Saponi has provided housing counseling and services to over 1,000 community members, and obtained over $30,000 of assistance to help victims of Hurricane Floyd. The Tribe also held two successful housing summits that assisted in obtaining an additional $273,000 for housing rehabilitation for the next fiscal year, over $4,000 for housing counseling services, and $134,000 to assist small business development among low-income citizens. The Tribe was also instrumental in leveraging a $1,000,000 set-aside housing loan program for Indian Tribes in the state.

Haliwa-Saponi trained over 150 people (including staff) and obtained additional computers and technology for staff. They have also obtained a computer learning center which provides training to youth and adults.

Edgecombe County's Enterprise Community benchmarks for real estate development (commercial, housing, and downtown façade), homeownership counseling and small business skills development are managed by the Rocky Mount/Edgecombe Community Development Corporation (RMECDC). The RMECDC continues to implement programs and initiatives in partnership with the City of Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County, and other nonprofits.

Edgecombe County, North Carolina was severely devastated by Hurricane Floyd and flooding in September, 1999. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Edgecombe County's housing stock was damaged or destroyed. The Enterprise Community (EC) target area was not a major flood area; however, the area did suffer some flooding and wind damage. The RMECDC has been very involved in providing recovery and replacement service to thousands of local families impacted by the flood.

The Thorne Ridge Apartment Complex was constructed and provided housing for work first participants and residents that were impacted by the flooding and Hurricane Floyd.

During 1999, the RMECDC and other partners leveraged a multiplicity of resources, both financial and non-financial, impacting the Enterprise Community and developable sites adjacent to the EC. The Edgecombe County EC is a small area, a portion of two census tracts, with little vacant land. Housing strategies in the EC have utilized rehabilitation, new construction, and developable site new construction.

The most important progress accomplished this year includes: Housing Rehabilitation and Lead Paint Abatement Program was designed and implemented, the program was launched with 1 house rehabbed and abated, 3 currently undergoing rehab, and 12 homes have funding committed, the bid process is underway, classes were held to certify contractors to implement lead abatement with 3 supervisors certified and 15 workers certified; Fund raised for the renovation of Bassett School Family Homeless Housing, $5,000 of EC funding was invested, a total of $2 million for construction cost leveraged; construction of 32 units of housing at Thorne Ridge Apartments $2.6 million developable site, EC residents were targeted for recruitment; however, flood victims have become the priority; the sale of 1 newly constructed house in the EC and an additional 6 home closings; the Housing Counseling Center counseled 49 EC residents and 2 of those residents currently have sales pending on homes; the Business Development Center created 4 potential business start-ups, provided counseling/technical assistance to 36 EC residents, assisted with start-up of 8 new businesses in the EC creating 25 jobs, provided on-going technical assistance to 7 existing businesses, conducted three 8-weeks computer training sessions, 37 EC residents used the Computer Lab and Resource Library, 9 EC residents received Certificate of Completion in Computer Training, and conducted 40 seminars and training session

Rehabilitation funds have been provided to owner-occupied homes in the City's redevelopment areas. Nineteen (19) units have been completed. The City provided downpayment assistance to thirteen (13) tenants to enable them to become new homeowners; then the homes were rehabilitated. EC funding was leveraged by a CDBG grant that provided the bulk of the rehab costs. Blighting conditions have been addressed. Homeownership opportunities have been provided to help stabilize the neighborhood.

 EC Home Buyer Assistance funds have been provided to seventeen (17) new home owners in Freeman Place II. Thirty-one (31) units have been completed and the new home owners have moved in. 100% of the construction has been completed. Eleven (11) other units are under construction. The City provided downpayment assistance to the other 14 owners. EC funding was leveraged with City funds for downpayment assistance and for acquisition and clearance of properties. Blighting conditions have been addressed. Homeownership opportunities have been provided to help stabilize the neighborhood.

The benchmarks providing park construction and neighborhood resource centers are combined to complete the construction and park for the Elvie Community Resource Center. The City provided $142,000 for construction of the center. The center was completed in September, 1998, and provides space for neighborhood meetings and other program activities.

The application process has begun for EC funding in the amount of $15,000 in mini-grants to be provided to eligible churches located within the EC census tracts. The churches will work with neighborhood residents to make aesthetic improvements in each of the neighborhoods.

Programs and implementation strategies were identified to provide EC funding in the amount of $10,000 which will be used for technical assistance and support to various neighborhood groups served by the new resource centers.

Overall, 1999 has been a very fruitful and productive year. We look forward to more community and educational development opportunities as we work through our designation.

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