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Tribe gets $4 million in stimulus
by Bob Shiles, Staff Writer
11 months ago | 2226 views | 11 11 comments | 17 17 recommendations | email to a friend | print
PEMBROKE — The Lumbee Tribe and the Lumbee Regional Development Association are receiving a total of more than $4.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan announced Tuesday that the tribe will get $4 million in stimulus money, while the association will get $750,000.

“These Recovery Act funds will give the Lumbees and the development association resources to upgrade housing and infrastructure in their community,” the senator said in a statement. “During these difficult economic times, this investment will create jobs and boost the tribe’s economy.”

All of the tribe’s $4 million will be used for housing rehabilitation, Alex Baker, a tribal spokesman, said. The additional $750,000 will be used by LRDA to construct a new Head Start and Early Start facility on Lamb Road just behind the old Allenton School, according to James Hardin, the organization’s executive director.

Lumbee Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins said Tuesday that he is “tickled to death” just thinking about the number of homes that can be rehabilitated and the number of jobs that can be created with the $4 million. He estimates that 350 to 400 homes will be able to be upgraded and removed from the tribe’s current housing rehabilitation waiting list of 914.

“This (money) is going to be a real blessing,” Goins said. “It might have otherwise taken us two or three years to find enough money to fix this many homes.”

Goins noted that this is the second $4 million in stimulus money the tribe has received in recent months. The other money, he said, is being used for construction of a community center, to build new homes, and for some housing rehabilitation.

The $4 million for the tribe is being allocated through the Native American Housing Block Grant Program, a division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The $750,000 in grants and loans for the Lumbee Regional Development Association, an independent non-profit organization that serves the Lumbee community, is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Community Facilities program.
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comments (11)
« WOODSDOVE wrote on Friday, Oct 02 at 06:51 PM »
I find it hard to beleive these funds will be used to help those in need .I am a 3 time cancer survivor single mom with 2 children a 14 yr old that is leagaly deaf and a 2 yr old .I have been on the list for repairs sence before my 14 yr old was born, back when the program started .I was at the first meeting when it was introduced under the LARDA. my name has come up 3 times and I have not been helped once. I have repeatedly reaplyed this yr after the funds came in I was turned down . than told they would help than they wouldnt threw a third party than I was told I was 86 on list and prommised. you get the jist curantly it is they never plan to help each time a diferent person I vote I am active in tribel functions I am going to school to fight Cancer and Diabeties among Native americans I have been called a tradishanalist and even came up with plans for a Native american Resteraunt and that famemus quoate for recognition ask White Horse were he got it all I asked for was 10,000 to fix my roof I know its a one time thing I am not being greedy I just asked for help The constitution states "that are people will be safe and sucure in our persons and homes" I feel that this promiss has been broken.
« pbrchick wrote on Monday, Sep 07 at 11:29 PM »
OMG.I just hope some of that money will really go to lumbee homes being repaired, lumbee homes being built, lumbee elderly who really need it, lumbee children programs,and most importantly NOT to the pockets of the lumbee tribe board members and the trips they take to Vegas and such. I know they do good and all but please use some common since and balance the money out .
« robesonian wrote on Friday, Aug 07 at 01:07 PM »
Telling it,

I went back and found the post you were referring to and posted it. I just missed it. My apologies.

Editor
« Telling it. wrote on Friday, Aug 07 at 12:03 PM »
Mr. Editor,

I guess my mention of the Lumbee tribe supporting President Obama stopped you from putting my comments. Again, I state that the Lumbees a lot who didn't support Obama because of his skin color are reaping the benefits from him being in office. President Obama did something that no other President has done. He mentioned the Native American population in his speaches, but he was not recognized by a majority of the Lumbee tribe because he is black.
« That Lum wrote on Thursday, Aug 06 at 10:55 AM »
"GladToHearIt".. granted corruption is apart of ANY system because humanbeings are apart of them.duh. Accountability is a hard word for any government, but you also have to remember that the Tribe is not a business, public service, such as social services, it does not have to entertain the "public". its a sovergn government; with 3 branches; totally different from such as a non profit organization with a board of directors, ex. LRDA. Granted when "shaddy" things happen they will always leave a bad taste in someone's mouth, but at some point or another we all fall short, its only "human."

"Pleasehelp".. yes this money will be used for our people, reading over the guidelines, that are can find online, they have to be outlined on how they are used, just as any other grant. It seems you have some sort of personal agenda with some of my fellow tribal members, and thats your situation to deal with. And we know whom we are..Wikipedia..? Are you serious? Anyone with the capability to type letters and access to web, can modify that website. and granted just because alot of our tribal members utilize the river, during the hot summer days, doesnt mean you can not join them. Our name is dervived from this river, alot of history comes from this river, thats why I guess it seems that we are "taking over". But to be honest, it was ours for hundreds of years, and will continue to be. sorry. we were here first.

On a productive note, I have to agree, that the rehab waiting list should be taken care of with this extra help.
« Lumbeeangel775 wrote on Thursday, Aug 06 at 08:41 AM »
Has anyone asked "if this money has to be paid back?" If it does, I hope the tribe won't be looking for the members to pay it. You know Rev. Billy Locklear has more people following him than the Lumbee tribe.

There should not be a rehab waiting list when this money is gone. Everyone who has waited for years should be covered.
« GladToHearIt wrote on Wednesday, Aug 05 at 11:14 PM »
Sadly, there is corruption and misuse of money in all programs, there should be a account and balnce made oublic that shows where the money has went, been spent and on what. Public programs sghould be held accountable for funding and release figures on what is was spent for and how many it helped. No program is above reproach and if it was shown where the money was spent it would increase LRDA's and the Tribal's accountability...
« Telling it. wrote on Wednesday, Aug 05 at 08:48 PM »
Glad to see everyone is so grateful to the LRDA and Lumbee Tribal Council, but let's not forget the Obama Administration who mentioned in his speeches the Native American population (something that has never been done by a President). I wonder how many in the Native American community refused to support him because of his skin color. Just remember 2012 is coming and he will need your support.
« Mickey Locklear wrote on Wednesday, Aug 05 at 04:34 PM »
This is great. Thank you to the tribe for working hard at completing those applications for grant funding. I know that it is not easy to do when you also have program to run. This is great for the entire community as it will provide better housing for needy Lumbee families and jobs for Lumbees and others in the county. Keep up the good work. Continue to put the needs of the tribe ahead of personal gains.
« pleasehelp wrote on Wednesday, Aug 05 at 04:31 PM »
What a mess I have never seen such The Lumbees be all I ever seen you really think there gonna take that money and help there lol on people. And oh yeah by the way The State need to ride by some the bridges where the Lumbees has already took over the Lumber river talking about Lumbees only The Lumbees really need to get a grip when it all really comes out I hope they have all these monies pay back to the federal and goverment when they really find out who and whay they are you need t go to web site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbee read.
« viewer wrote on Wednesday, Aug 05 at 11:23 AM »
This is wonderful, the rehab, program will be able to help all the needy people. Friends there are plenty of people out here in our surrounding counties that need help. My cousin that lives in Raynum just got her home done by the tribe. This is an elderly couple ,the husband has been batteling cancer for 9 years, and DR. bills and medication has depleted their savings. I'm just thankful that the rehab program was able to help these people .God Bless the L.R.D.A.
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