Exclusive: Spindale Council Approves Housing, Mental Health, and Police Grants Totaling More Than $430,000

The Spindale Board of Commissioners’ October 20 meeting focused on community revitalization, affordable housing, and modernized public safety. Officials approved multiple resolutions supporting new housing development, behavioral health programs, and more than $430,000 in law enforcement technology and staffing grants.

Illinois Street Housing Project Moves Forward

The board voted to authorize a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Illinois Street Extension project, in partnership with Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) and the Foothills Regional Commission.

The project would complete a long-planned street segment and extend municipal water and sewer to enable affordable housing construction on RHP-owned property. Plans call for three single-family homes and one duplex serving low- to moderate-income households under federal HUD guidelines.

According to RHP Director Michael Lewis, the $2.3 million project will “add five affordable rental units, improve neighborhood appearance, and support the town’s growth goals.” The town’s grant request will help fund infrastructure, with construction to begin after permitting and utility installation are complete.

The meeting marked the second and final public hearing for the CDBG application, which will be submitted to the N.C. Department of Commerce before the October 29 deadline.

Behavioral Health Partnership Expands Police Co-Response

Commissioners heard an update on the Human Action Response Partnership (HARP), a 24/7 behavioral health co-responder program operated by Preferred Choice Healthcare, funded by a four-year federal grant awarded to United Way of Rutherford County.

Founded earlier this year, HARP pairs licensed clinicians with law enforcement officers to respond jointly to mental health or substance-related crises. Since its March 1, 2025, launch, HARP has responded to over 130 calls, with 120 resulting in face-to-face crisis interventions and average response times under 17 minutes.

“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Dr. Sarah Horne, program co-founder. “We’re local clinicians partnering with officers to de-escalate and connect individuals to care, instead of defaulting to jail or hospitalization.”

Police Chief Chad Nazelrod said the collaboration has improved outcomes for officers and residents alike. “It’s made a real difference in how we handle behavioral health calls,” he told the board.

Public Safety Investments: Cybersecurity and COPS Grants

The town formally accepted two major law enforcement grants totaling more than $384,000 to upgrade technology and support recruitment.

The first, a State and Local Government Cybersecurity Grant administered by N.C. Emergency Management provides $134,100 in total funding — including $93,870 in federal funds and a $40,230 local match.

The grant will modernize Spindale’s information systems across multiple departments, including:

• 12 new police mobile data terminals (MDTs)

• 13 new staff computers

• Enhanced antivirus, monitoring software, and data servers

  
  

“These updates will help secure town systems, improve recordkeeping, and replace end-of-life police computers,” Chief Nazelrod said.

The second, a U.S. Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP) award, will fund two new full-time officers for three years at a federal share of $250,000 with a 25% local match. Each officer’s salary and benefits are projected at $74,856 annually, with the town contributing approximately $199,000 over the grant period.

“These aren’t replacement positions — they’re new roles that expand our force,” Nazelrod emphasized. The positions must be retained for at least one year beyond the grant term, ensuring stability through 2030.

Town Manager Scott Webber praised the police department’s diligence in assembling the applications. “They had to hand-pull three years of data to qualify,” he said.

Habitat for Humanity Partnership Targets Blight

Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution supporting Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity’s plan to acquire and demolish a long-blighted property at 503 East Main Street.

The property, under a nuisance abatement case, will be purchased and cleared at an estimated cost of $160,000. The town will commit $125,000 in remaining Dogwood Health Trust (DHT) funds to assist with the project.

“Removing this structure will eliminate a public hazard and make way for future affordable housing,” Webber said. Mayor Nancy Walker signed the resolution the same evening.

New Appointments and Financial Actions

Commissioners opted to change the rules of the Planning Board, allowing all four applicants to serve as members, with three alternates.Finance Officer Glenda Bucy was sworn in and officially authorized as a Deputy Finance Officer alongside Webber and Mayor Walker, enabling her to sign checks under North Carolina General Statute 159-25.

The board also approved a budget amendment (Ordinance 2026-01) and scheduled a November 17 public hearing to consider revisions to the zoning ordinance’s nonconformities section, designed to “balance property rights with orderly development,”

Public Safety and Community Recognition

During commissioner comments, members praised the Spindale Police and Fire Departments for quick responses to recent incidents, including a Methodist Church break-in and a fire at Manual Woodworkers. Fire Chief Jamie Guillermo was recognized for his department’s swift containment efforts.

Mayor Walker highlighted upcoming R-S Central High School Centennial events, encouraged community participation, and thanked town crews for seasonal decorations around downtown.

With new federal grants, affordable housing plans, and behavioral health initiatives, Spindale’s leaders are prioritizing long-term community safety and revitalization. From the Illinois Street development to cybersecurity and crisis response, October’s meeting underscored how small-town governance continues to bridge infrastructure, public safety, and compassion-driven policing in western North Carolina.

Next meeting: November 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall. 

For more details, read the agenda packet obtained by WCAB News.