State budget brings $13.3M to Moore County

During the Moore County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting Tuesday, leaders received an update on a proposed entrepreneurship hub planned for the old buggy building in downtown Carthage. According to Partners in Progress Executive Director Pat Corso, the vision is to renovate the building and offer space to startup companies and grow the economy of northern Moore County.

Crystal Morphis of Creative Economic Development Consulting, the company hired to conduct a feasibility study, told the commissioners that Moore County does not have as much opportunity for traditional economic development as other counties, but creating jobs through entrepreneurship in Carthage is possible.

The next step in the process will be to apply for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to offset the estimated $675,000 cost to renovate the building. EDA grants are intended to help distressed communities by fostering job creation and regional innovation.  

In other matters, Moore County Health Director Robert Wittmann announced to the commissioners that the COVID-19 vaccination program already underway will be expanded to include anyone 65 years and older. Residents of long-term care facilities, health care workers and those age 75 and older were some of the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

County updated proposed entrepreneurship hub buggy building

Moore County Health Director Robert Wittmann addresses the board of commissioners Tuesday.

Starting Wednesday morning, the health department will begin the process of registering people age 65 and older. Registration is available by visiting https://www.moorecountync.gov/shot or by calling 910-947-shot (7468). Once adequate supplies are available, the people in this next group will be notified and given a time and place to receive the vaccine. Phone lines will be open seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The Health Department will begin to preregister persons 65 to 74 years old,” said Wittmann. “This will assure an adequate list of eligible persons to schedule for an appointment as vaccines become available. This should guarantee a seamless flow of appointments for eligible patients. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being administered at this time. They both have been proven safe and over 94% effective in adults.”

Sandhills_Sentinel~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter John Patota.

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