The purpose of this grant is to support the Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department in its public/private partnership with the Woodmen of the World in efforts to renovate an abandoned Smithfield industrial site on Vernon Avenue in Kinston into a modern community center of 80,000 square feet to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Lenoir County while attracting new residents to the area. The center will enhance one of the main entranceways into Kinston and provide recreation and community space. When opened, the facility will create up to 12 new full-time positions and 14 new part-time positions. The Woodmen of the World have committed $5million to the project and Lenoir County and the City of Kinston have each committed $400,000. Golden LEAF funds will be used for renovation and construction costs of the facility.
