This week, the Canton, NC governing board, led by NewDEAL Leader Mayor Zeb Smathers, met to map the town’s recovery from a devastating flood last year that wreaked havoc on homes and businesses, using this moment of tragedy as a catalyst for more transformative change. Mayor Smathers is now considering multiple federal funding streams that have the potential to transform his town and ensure it embodies, as Smathers puts it, “the hometown of tomorrow.” For example, the governing board is considering selling riverfront land to FEMA as part of the agency’s buyout program. The land, if sold, could be turned into a park system for residents. Other rebuilding projects include an all-abilities playground, a dog park, and an aquatics center. Read this article for more on how Canton is turning tragedy into opportunity, and listen to our recent podcast interview with Mayor Smathers to hear him discuss the flood and how his town is building back.
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clay-banks-BY-R0UNRE7w-unsplash-1.jpg
1024
1280
Rachel Walsh
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Rachel Walsh2024-11-07 01:14:022024-11-07 01:14:47NewDEAL Statement on Presidential Election: The Voters Have Spoken, and the Work Continues, Says NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/anchia.jpg
326
300
Rachel Walsh
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Rachel Walsh2024-11-04 17:27:262024-11-04 17:27:26Reproductive Rights Are a Five-Alarm Fire. State Legislators Must Act.
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Brinks-e1676314468480.jpg
456
500
Rachel Walsh
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Rachel Walsh2024-11-04 17:25:452024-11-04 17:25:45Opinion: The Inflation Reduction Act is helping us build a stronger, cleaner Michigan
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Smathers.jpg
1239
1239
Rachel Walsh
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Rachel Walsh2024-11-01 18:00:012024-11-01 18:00:01Perseverance and Patriotism in Western North Carolina as Election Approaches
