DURHAM, N.C. — Officials from Charleston and Huntington will give their best pitches later this week in North Carolina as part of the continuing America’s Best Communities competition.
The contingents are scheduled to arrive in Durham on Monday with representatives from 13 other cities. All 15 will present their revitalization plans in “Shark Tank-style” to a panel in hopes of receiving additional funding and staying alive in the competition.
“They are going to announce eight communities in the Frontier service area that will get $100,000 this year and to be able to apply for up to $3 million next year,” said Charleston Deputy Mayor Rod Blackstone.
The eight communities to make it through the next round will stay in the competition for another year and have a shot at either $1 million, $2 million or $3 million.
The Capital City’s plan is focused on attracting younger residents, Blackstone said.
“We need to have our city look forward and look to the future by making every decision based around young people,” he said.
Charleston and Huntington each were awarded $50,000 in the first round.
The competition began with 350 communities participating. `