NRCDC is a licensed 501 (3) tax exempt Community Development Corporation that was formed in 1996 to address housing and community development needs in the low wealth neighborhoods of New Bern and Craven County.  Our mission is to provide low-wealth citizens with increased access to decent, safe, and affordable housing and expand business and employment opportunities.  Some of our primary areas of focus are to: 1) Recognize and support both homeownership and rental housing development required to meet the housing needs of low-wealth citizens in New Bern and Craven County;  2) Acquire, rehabilitate, manage, maintain, and market real property (land and structures) in support of housing needs;  3) Facilitate credit counseling and credit management assistance to low- and moderate-wealth citizens designed to qualify them for homeownership;        4) Network and partner with other charities and service organizations on projects consistent with NRCDC’s mission; and 5) Partner with and support those working to expand economic opportunity and jobs in low wealth areas.

NRCDC is a member of New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, N.C. Center for Nonprofits, N.C. Housing Coalition and the Coalition for Responsible Lending. These agencies provide support, training opportunities, and other resources.

NRCDC partners with other agencies to fulfill its mission. Some of the partners are the City of New Bern; Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Bern; Craven County; Greater Duffyfield Residents Council; Twin River Opportunities; Uptown Business & Professional Association; Swiss Bear Redevelopment Corporation; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of New Bern, Inc.; and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.  Partnering with several of these agencies enabled NRCDC to sponsor a Housing Forum for the last several years with approximately 100 persons in attendance. The housing forum leads participants through the process from deciding they want to be homeowners to the closing of a home.  It also includes a predatory lending education component. These same partners helped NRCDC fulfill its mission of expanding homeownership. In 2004, NRCDC began its Homeownership Project with six homes donated by Weyerhaeuser.  This project was completed in 2006 with six first-time home buyers.

NRCDC acquired Green Park Terrace Apartments from the Department of Housing & Urban Development in 1996 and renovated them into a 34-unit senior apartment complex and community building renamed “Autumn Chase Apartments”. Volunteers of America manages this property.

NRCDC conveyed eleven (11) lots along Walt Bellamy Drive to Habitat for Humanity for the construction of eleven (11) new homes and is currently working with Habitat for Humanity on seven (7) new and/or renovated single family homes on Fowlers Lane and two (2) on “A” Street.

Our Staff & Board of Directors

NRCDC was formed in 1996 with the assistance of the City of New Bern Planning & Inspections Department, who served as its volunteer administrator until 2003, when Mrs. Tharesa Lee was hired as administrator to NRCDC.  She is a graduate of Mount Olive College and the N.C. Rural Economic Development Institute. She has also received her Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and is a 2001 Leadership Craven Graduate.  Mrs. Lee is a certified housing counselor, serves on several nonprofits in the area and has worked in the community for several years volunteering and supporting community and economic development in New Bern and Craven County.  She supports the Board of Directors, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to housing and economic development. NRCDC offices are located at 248 Craven Street, 3rd Floor, Dunn Building.

Michael W. Avery, Director of Planning & Inspections, has been the Board’s Assistant Secretary and a volunteer since its inception in 1996. Mr. Avery brings over 25 years of experience in community development to the NRCDC board to help fulfill its mission.

Board of Directors

John C. Bircher, III, President
Guy Whimper, Vice President

Lee (Pete) Thomas, Treasurer
Michael W. Avery, AICP, Assistant Secretary
Penny Sydnor
John Robinson

Teisha Glover
John Kirkland
Patrick McCullough
Kolt Jones

Carolyn Bland

Ed Moore

Commissioner Johnnie Sampson, Jr. (Emeritus member)

CONTACT US

www.nrcdc.com
Neuse River Community Development Corporation, Inc.
Post Office Box 779
248 Craven Street, 3rd Floor, Dunn Building
New Bern, NC 28563
252-639-7582
nrcdc@newbern-nc.org