FY 24-25 Community Center Support Grants Program
Transylvania County issues an annual call for funding based on funds adopted in the budget. For FY 24/25, there are three grant programs associated with community center’s in the county: the Non-Competitive Connected Public Space Grant, the Competitive Public Health/Safety Grant and the Competitive Project Grant. The applications can be accessed below:
Non-Competitive Connected Public Space Grant
Competitive Public Health/Safety Grant (up to $2,500 annually)
Competitive Public Purpose Project Grant (up to $7,500 annually)
Transylvania County Community Center Support Grants Policy and Procedure
Community Center Grant applications are due by Friday, December 6th, End of Business.
Applications or any questions concerning the Community Center Grants program should contact, [email protected], or call our offices, at 828.884.3205.
Transylvania Community Centers
Many of the facilities are several decades, or even over a century, old and require routine maintenance and upgrades for continued use. Cathey’s Creek and Dunn’s Rock Community Centers were even original schoolhouse buildings for rural areas of the county in the early 19th century, with other centers forming in the decades that followed. Much of the allocated funding will be used for flooring, wiring, plumbing, and landscaping improvements. Some projects are also directed at improving wheelchair accessibility to better serve our diverse community.
The centers have provided an important community meeting place for generations, but they are also doing an excellent job finding innovative ways to provide for modern community needs. Some centers, such as Cedar Mountain, have moved to converting their kitchen space to commercial grade requirements. This gives local businesses access to commercial appliances such as dishwashers and freezers that significantly improve energy efficiency. Commercial and commissary kitchen improvements in community centers are also providing increased opportunities for small business development through kitchen rentals.
In addition to routine rentals for parties, reunions, and wedding receptions, Transylvania County’s Community Centers provide a number of public services and events. Homework clubs for middle and high school students, recreational areas, senior meal services, exercise classes, potluck dinners, financial and medical planning, musical performances, cooking demonstrations, and local history orators have been organized across the county. With grant funding, and post-pandemic revitalization, the centers hope to grow active member populations and expand services as needed. The Transylvania County Planning and Community Development Department, who administers the grant program, will continue to work with the Centers to coordinate services and raise awareness of area resources, such as a comprehensive calendar of all community center activities, available through the Transylvania County Website, under the Community Center page, along with rental availability and contact information.
The centers aren’t just for cookouts and entertainment, however, they also serve as vital public meeting spaces for Transylvania County government and other public service organizations. Upcoming projects, such as the update of the Transylvania County Comprehensive Plan will rely heavily on these local centers to gather local leaders and community members to collect their suggestions for the future of Transylvania County.
For more information on the Transylvania County Community Center Grant Program or to get involved, please reach out the Transylvania County Planning Department at 828-884-3205 or email [email protected].
Community Centers are Transylvania County's gems, owned and directed by their individual communities, they preserve their heritage and music, share meals, take care of their neighbors, and provide a wide variety of programs that create a shared sense of belonging and ultimately strengthen the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of each place.
Many centers are also polling places and most are available for private rental hosting family reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties, and other special days. To see a list of their upcoming events and to learn more about each of our centers click on the links in the map below or visit the Community Centers StoryMap link.