A federal grant program designed to support military readiness could bring new funding to Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and surrounding communities — and one local official is already asking whether that money could help pay for a community pool.
The Defense Community Infrastructure Program was recently presented to the Sandhills Metropolitan Planning Organization, opening a potential new avenue for Moore County project funding.
What Is the Defense Community Infrastructure Program?
The Defense Community Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant offered through the U.S. Department of Defense and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.
The program is designed to fund infrastructure improvements in communities surrounding military installations — specifically projects that address deficiencies affecting military readiness or improve quality of life for service members and their families.
With approximately $100 million available in the current grant cycle, the program could be a meaningful opportunity for Sandhills communities that serve active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
Why Moore County Is a Strong Candidate
Fort Bragg — the nation’s largest Army installation by population — sits just north of Moore County and draws thousands of military families into the surrounding region.
Towns including Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Vass, Whispering Pines, and Pinehurst have become home to many active-duty personnel and their families, drawn by the area’s small-town character, schools, and quality of life.
The daily commuter traffic on roads like N.C. 690, U.S. 1, East Indiana Avenue, and Fort Bragg Road reflects how closely connected Moore County is to Fort Bragg.
Fort Bragg is home to more than 48,000 active-duty soldiers, along with thousands of reserve members, civilian staff, and military family members who depend on nearby communities for schools, services, and recreation.
Interagency coordinator Doug Taggart, who presented the grant opportunity to the SMPO, emphasized that quality of life for military families is a current funding priority.
“If the families are happy and the service members are able to focus on their mission, then that’s a mission-ready issue,” Taggart said.
A Community Pool? Local Leaders Think Outside the Box
Southern Pines Councilman Bob Curtin raised one of the more creative ideas during the SMPO meeting: using Defense Community Infrastructure Program funding for a community pool or water park.
His reasoning was that when service members are deployed, the families left behind need places to go, activities to enjoy, and a stronger sense of community support.
“Could this be applied to a community water park or pool?” Curtin asked. “Maybe enhancing our parks and pools and things like that?”
Taggart acknowledged it would be a creative application and noted that most previous projects have focused on direct infrastructure, such as connecting a base to a municipal water system or addressing flooding near an installation.
Still, he said there may be a real opportunity for a project like that to receive consideration during this grant cycle.
Water Infrastructure and Stormwater Also on the Radar
Whispering Pines Mayor Pamela Harris also floated ideas related to outdoor activity and community amenities.
Meanwhile, SMPO Chair and Pinehurst Mayor Pat Pizzella pointed to a broader concern facing the region: water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure.
“It seemed like there was a preponderance of issues surrounding water,” Pizzella said, calling it “a sensitive topic” for the region.
Pizzella suggested local communities explore whether the grant could help address some of those water-related challenges across the Sandhills.
Next Steps and How to Get Involved
The application window for the current grant cycle runs through June, giving local governments and community groups a limited amount of time to identify potential projects.
Any proposed project would also require a letter of support from the installation commander at Fort Bragg.
Local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations interested in exploring eligibility should contact the SMPO or their municipal representatives soon.
For more local government news and updates affecting Moore County and the Sandhills, tune in to Star 102.5 or visit Sandhills News.
