| North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) intends to use its Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grant to implement four Community Development Block Grant eligible activities. The first activity; “Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Program” consists of three subtasks designed to: perform energy audits for low- to moderate-income (LMI) homeowners in the target area; conduct weatherization activities in the target area; and educate LMI persons on energy conservation and minor home repairs. The second activity, “Workforce Development for Sustainable Careers in Green Construction,” will: recruit and train LMI persons to perform weatherization and maintenance tasks; provide education and training on green construction practices; provide energy audit and weatherization certification training; and provide job placement assistance. The third activity, “BEST Center Facility and Program Enhancement,” will: provide direct assistance and specialized training to small and minority-owned businesses; and stabilize small and minority-owned businesses by implementing a concentrated technical assistance program and other resources offered to entrepreneurs and small businesses through the BEST Center. By collaborating with the Interdisciplinary Center for Entrepreneurship and E-Business, this activity will also provide service learning opportunities for student entrepreneurs. The fourth activity will address human service needs through a partnership with a grassroots, community-based organization by: providing a sub-award to Joseph's House Inc., an organization that offers transitional housing for homeless high school students and young adult males; increasing the capacity of a grassroots organization assisting an underserved population; and creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged and hard to place males in the target area through education, job readiness, and skill development.
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