By for THE PAPER
Burke County officials received more than $3 million in federal funding Friday to renovate the county’s aging Health and Human Services building, a facility that serves thousands of residents each year.
In front of about 50 people, including county employees and elected officials, U.S. Rep. Tim Moore (R-NC 14th District) presented $3,187,211 in Community Project Funding for the Burke County Health and Human Services Building renovation. The event was held in the lobby of the existing BCHHS building on Parker Road in Morganton.
The funding was approved as part of the federal Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations legislation.
The funding will support a $10 to $12 million renovation of the Health and Human Services building at 700 E. Parker Road, which county officials said is more than 50 years old and in need of significant rehabilitation.
County officials said the funding will help modernize the facility and improve service delivery for residents who rely on health and human services programs. Standing in front of architectural renderings and introducing Moore, Burke County Commission Chairman Jeff Brittain called the project a “milestone moment” and described it as the largest capital project in county history.
Moore said there was a time when Western North Carolina was “getting left behind” in state funding, but said that is no longer the case.
“This is a great project, and our team was eager to go to work on this,” Moore said.
Burke County has a population of about 90,000, including approximately 35,000 Medicaid recipients who rely on services provided through the facility. About 250 county employees work in the building daily, according to county officials.
In addition to housing health and social services, the building also serves as a community resource for meetings and seminars.
Allen VanNoppen is the publisher. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or allen@thepaper.media.