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WINTON – Hertford County officials are moving forward with two major projects, hiring an architect to oversee both.

Last month, the county’s board of commissioners approved Oakley Collier Architects for services associated with the proposed renovation of the former Ahoskie Elementary School and to construct a new Health & Senior Services building.

County Manager David Cotton said the commissioners have expressed interest creating a small business incubator as well as community, meeting and training spaces at the old Ahoskie Elementary School.

The county received $3.5 million Congressional Appropriation, from now retired Congressman G.K. Butterfield, for the purpose of Economic Development. The USDA is assigned to oversee administration of funding disbursement

“These funds are a direct allocation to the county,” Cotton said. “This is not a grant nor is there a funding match. There is no expiration date linked to these funds.”

Cotton added that the deed to the property remains at this time in the name of Hertford County Public Schools. However, state statutes require them to make the first sales offer to the county.

Oakley Collier Architects will perform an environmental and structural assessment of the old school, to include a mechanical and electrical inventory/analysis.

Cotton said a budget and timeline have yet to be finalized for that project.

As for the proposed Health & Senior Services Building, Cotton noted the agreement/contract between Hertford County and Albemarle Regional Health Services. That agreement requires Hertford County to construct a new Health Department building, available to be occupied by July 1, 2026.

“There may be a possibility to negotiate renovating an existing building,” Cotton said.

He added there is no alternative funding source secured at this point for this project and a cost has yet to be finalized.

“However, due to the commissioners proactive planning and action, the county will meet the contractual deadline of July 1, 2026,” Cotton said. “The board has expressed an interest in combining a new Health Department with a new primary Senior Center based in Winton.”