JACKSON – Northampton County’s Board of Commissioners approved the application for the annual Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant without any issue here Monday night. Joslyn Reagor, the Office of Aging Director, presented the matter to the Board for consideration during a public hearing.

According to information provided by Reagor, ROAP consolidates three different programs into one application: Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program, Rural General Public Transportation Program, and Work Transitional-Employment Program.

The grant is through the NC Department of Transportation, and there is no local match required from the county.

“With this money, they are able to go on medical, multipurpose trips, educational trips, employment, as well as recreation for the elderly and disabled,” Reagor explained of ROAP’s varied transportation benefits.

The total allocated amount of $123,890 will be split between four different transportation providers. The J.W. Faison Senior Center will receive $38,961 and Roanoke Valley Adult Day will receive $20,000 for the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance program. The Office of Aging will receive $7,323 for the Employment transportation program. For the Rural General Public Transportation Program, Choanoke Public Transportation Authority (CPTA) will receive $57,606.

Board Chairman Robert Carter asked for questions and comments from the Board after Reagor’s presentation, but they had none. When Carter opened the floor for public comment, no one in attendance spoke up either.

Commissioner Geneva Faulkner motioned to approve the ROAP application. Her motion was seconded by both Commissioners Fannie Greene and Charles Tyner. The Board unanimously voted to approve.

The second item Reagor brought before the Board was a simple Memorandum of Understanding with CPTA in regards to the ROAP application.

“The Memorandum of Understanding just allows the CPTA director to transfer funds from other counties,” Reagor explained. “Just in case Northampton needed it or ran short, that general money could be transferred through the director of transportation.”

The director will be able to transfer funds between Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton counties because of CPTA’s status as a regional transport provider.

Commissioner Chester Deloatch motioned to approve the Memorandum while Greene and Faulkner both seconded. Again, the Board voted unanimously for approval.

“I’d like to just thank you for seeking this opportunity for our citizens,” Faulkner said to Reagor after her presentation.