Bill
HB 679
Provides a one-time $5.4M grant to Spring Lake for historic preservation, fire protection, and $5M infrastructure, effective FY2025–2026.
Status and sponsors
- Bill filed: April 1, 2025 (introduced in the House).
- Referred: April 3, 2025 to Appropriations (if favorable), Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House. Public hearing held April 8, 2025; left pending in committee.
- Primary sponsors: Representatives Colvin, Wheatley, and Charles Smith.
Purpose / intent
- To provide a one‑time (nonrecurring) state grant to the Town of Spring Lake to support historic preservation, local fire protection, and infrastructure needs in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
Key provisions
- Appropriation: $5,400,000 in nonrecurring General Fund dollars to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) for FY 2025–2026 as a directed grant to the Town of Spring Lake, allocated as follows:
- $200,000 — Complete restoration of the Historic Spring Lake Civic Center.
- $100,000 — Spring Lake Fire Department.
- $5,000,000 — Infrastructure needs (broadly designated).
- $100,000 — Assist the Manchester Fire Department or any other rural fire department that serves the Spring Lake area.
- Effective date: July 1, 2025.
- Funding is a directed grant administered through OSBM; the bill specifies the distribution amounts but does not itemize project-level requirements, matching conditions, or reporting provisions in the text provided.
Who is affected
- Direct recipient: Town of Spring Lake (Cumberland County).
- Indirect beneficiaries:
- Residents and users of the Historic Spring Lake Civic Center (historic preservation and community programming).
- Local public safety agencies: Spring Lake Fire Department and Manchester Fire Department or other rural fire departments serving the area (equipment, operations, training, or facility support as determined locally).
- Spring Lake residents and businesses that may benefit from the $5 million infrastructure allocation (roads, utilities, drainage, public facilities — specifics not detailed).
Fiscal and procedural notes
- Source: General Fund, one‑time (nonrecurring) appropriation for FY 2025–2026.
- The bill does not include detailed spending conditions, timelines for expenditure, or matching fund requirements in the text excerpted; implementation and any oversight/reporting would be handled through OSBM as the directed-grant administrator.
- Because funds are nonrecurring, ongoing operating or maintenance costs tied to capital projects (if any) would not be covered by this appropriation and would need local funding.
Implications / considerations
- Provides substantial one‑time capital support (not recurring operational funding), with the largest share ($5M) reserved for infrastructure work that could support local economic development and public services.
- Small, targeted allocations support historic preservation and local fire services; the effectiveness will depend on how the Town and fire departments use the directed grants and whether additional local match or continued funding is required for long‑term benefits.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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