[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5973177,"mediaKeyId","5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72","parentId",5833716,"title","Forsyth County health staff cite racial disparity in infant deaths despite overall downward trends","audioSeconds",373,"startMs",9039000,"endMs",9412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72&start=9039&end=9412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72/thumbnail_9039000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973177/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-health-staff-cite-racial-disparity-in-infant-deaths-despite-overall-downward-trends","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973177-53b1db65c65281ee210c87b181229421/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424151&Signature=jY03xyI6C5EItX~UCNJlSfsTthGxtUf~CCQX~BbVem6YKVT92B8T5Thy7BPrNnVH6hDnZhV3Xb2ejvnBOHiE7FVw36ujCRk~MvByenoJXRJRtdTvJavFXgaPy4LPGHyml5tOOqHNQVporuw6VtnKkQHfE1JTtPRBqfKIxMvZHEhGJYdFPkq2eCRafcH8H~~CP1r7M1ems4yK6i5VpnlSj8wVVoNCo5uKhRrzCD1X755DGxJIDrE69LQvdTi7bk3ARCW~qvChI7j~myDuZBZgXhoXKIR0~qcrslg1KH1tf-u9XK5qYLklgg3vE6aDmx1Ebk2Ky8qB7w0HU1tszMDW7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forsyth County","date","2025-09-26T13:32:36.533Z","article","Joshua Swift, speaking for Forsyth County Public Health, presented infant mortality and child fatality review data to the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25 and described outreach and prevention work the department is coordinating.
The data matter because infant death rates and disparities are indicators of maternal and child health — and they guide prevention activities and funding priorities.
Swift said Forsyth County’s preterm birth rate in 2023 was 10.9 percent (babies born before 37 weeks), roughly in line with the state rate (10.8 percent). Low birth‑weight births (under 5.5 pounds) were 9.9 percent in the county versus the state rate of 9.4 percent. The county’s overall infant mortality rate was 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in the most recent reporting period; Swift highlighted a persistent disparity: non‑Hispanic Black infants experienced an infant mortality rate of 14.1 per 1,000 live births compared with 4.8 per 1,000 for white infants, a ratio of about 2.94.
Swift described County Public Health’s role coordinating an Infant Mortality Reduction Coalition that includes hospitals, community groups and service providers. He reported a state grant of $6,000 used for a five‑week digital safe‑sleep campaign that targeted women ages 18–45 in county zip codes; the campaign delivered roughly 800,000 impressions and 65,000 full video views on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. The campaign’s core message emphasized the ABCs of safe sleep: baby alone, on the back, in a crib.
On child fatalities, Swift said the county’s Child Fatality Prevention Team (a multi‑agency group required by state law) reviewed 59 child deaths from the 2023 calendar year; 30 of those were infants. The team’s subcommittee referred 23 cases (39 percent) for full team review when systemic or multi‑agency issues were identified. Causes across the full‑review cases included extreme prematurity, congenital anomalies, medical illness, accidents, unsafe sleep/co‑sleeping and suicide; unsafe‑sleep coded cases had declined in recent years, Swift said.
Swift said the department’s prevention priorities include more prenatal care access, safe sleep education, behavioral‑health resources and cross‑agency coordination. He asked for continued commissioner support for prevention work and community partnerships.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Bi-Monthly Meeting_092525","oneSentenceSummary","Public Health presented infant mortality, prematurity and low birth‑weight trends and a child fatality review for 2023; overall infant mortality rate was 6.8 per 1,000 live births and non‑Hispanic Black infants experienced a rate of 14.1 per 1,000, about 2.94 times the rate for white infants.","taxTitle","Forsyth County, North Carolina","taxId",5013,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973183,"Forsyth County updates commissioners on Hall of Justice sale, Cy Works conversion and Idles/Tanglewood site options",694,8066000,8760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72&start=8066&end=8760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72/thumbnail_8066000.jpg","/articles/5973183/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-updates-commissioners-on-Hall-of-Justice-sale-Cy-Works-conversion-and-IdlesTanglewood-site-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973183-f7263710c630b7ab8263e471d522ea82/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424151&Signature=fVzN2HGLHJXzA2DOH0Qq6UlgKLFivJsyAuCxVrsLFYG1yNrikwB-7PGNIeCg7OTiORo4yA1mRxzVTuepuZXljd-4o67C3rea0banGy9HVkpHOPjqGZbOanBTZyNZ-75b4IjCfl7LRjRUFJnlM8ApMh6ZyTvR0-mmGEAPJnYPZHiyZGGGVrR5ABcxcseVkbQQhym69hzBVj-MGjUx1-nuF7f0qPFyPE16w0WFoymueBJlqfTs9Lapv1bspNrGlA4I0-ik081HhK881~3qW5vhWlrV~hztlUykl1DpCZPdp4BWD~-vSyRBQ~QDxko19fo3kT7wZ8SaBivnHPq3sPoGOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Real estate staff told the Board of Commissioners that marketing and disposition work continues for several county surplus properties and that the board will face trade‑offs between further investment and selling as‑is.
The outcome matters because decisions about surplus property affect county receipts, future development, nearby neighborhoods and potential obligations tied to grant easements.
Staff said the Hall of Justice has been marketed since February with NAI under contract; the asking price is $5.5 million. Market feedback, staff said, shows the building’s precast concrete construction and high renovation costs reduce buyer interest. Staff noted an as‑cleared‑lot estimate of about $2 million for the land but demolition would cost roughly $1–2 million, and said the contract with the broker expires in December.
Staff briefed the board on a potential Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) conversion for Cy Works Park, reporting positive initial feedback from the National Park Service and ongoing work with Parks & Recreation and consultants; conversion is a multi‑step federal process that can take many months. River Park is under contract for a fuel/retail development with due diligence underway and a target closing in 2026 if the buyer completes conditions; staff said public meetings on rezoning produced no significant opposition.
On the Idles Road/Tanglewood Business Park site, staff presented a site‑selection analysis showing the property is currently more valuable to the county if sold in its present condition (estimated market value roughly $4 million including utilities) than if the county were to fund large grading or transportation improvements. Staff described two cost estimates: roughly $9.6 million to perform comprehensive earthwork across the full site and roughly $2.3 million for transportation improvements; those investments would be required before large‑scale industrial build‑out. Staff noted the county has already invested substantially in sewer infrastructure for the site (staff cited prior sewer costs in the multi‑million‑dollar range) and that utilities are now available. Commissioners asked staff to provide a full accounting of past and committed investments and to return with options on sell‑as‑is, rezone‑then‑sell or invest and develop the property as county developer.
","Real estate staff reviewed marketing activity for surplus county properties — Hall of Justice listing, Cy Works conversion option under LWCF rules, River Park purchase under due diligence and Idles/Tanglewood business park development choices — and outlined costs and tradeoffs for grading, rezoning or selling as‑is.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973185,"Forsyth County reports housing rehab, down‑payment assistance and code enforcement activity; staff explores housing trust and city collaboration",718,6182000,6900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72&start=6182&end=6900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72/thumbnail_6182000.jpg","/articles/5973185/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-reports-housing-rehab-downpayment-assistance-and-code-enforcement-activity-staff-explores-housing-trust-and-city-collaboration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973185-97bf1ed620b3f83766e3f09f252f8eee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424151&Signature=jMZO4R9UhFGjUozYHPupUODki12RPTgJE3EKwC9BqiVzmbkBziHD3Uxr7S7rKhoCNH7VGJ~-rgz-yUP3isv44-B6Gb-LNFxCcBTaFcCBD~kWjhuqXgDQvRViJKQPUIDPxO-D3VBRghOn9aWBzKpI3OEZdJ1XLX9sLR4Lkb~B4Viyb4kxSS2Ng9skZfjYYf9t1cPVqsycKHTPsZM7P2R8mTJbB4lfNASm7BEcoqChrgWA4hcFaHZU2WbEf70wqS8giUOiXzlXMB4pm8eBOEN~OJvTnMaVy92Nv1STU2VS99kuS6DZd7gMZLdHT5eDG0SQVPC-xxxb-iHuS6Ll6yLLzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashley Pendley, deputy director for Community Development, told the Board of Commissioners that Forsyth County continued housing rehabilitation, down‑payment assistance and code enforcement in FY25 and is exploring new ways to use program income to support development of affordable housing.
The matters matter because county programs and partnerships shape whether low‑ and moderate‑income households can repair homes, buy their first house or have unsafe housing brought into compliance.
Pendley said the housing rehabilitation program completed repairs on 19 homes last fiscal year with total investment of roughly $454,000 drawn from a mix of state, federal and local sources; program administrative reimbursements totaled $92,025. She said the county can now extend certain state rehab funding to the Town of Walkertown. For down‑payment assistance, staff reported 19 buyers assisted in FY25 using a mix of HOME program funds and the state Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP); total down‑payment assistance reported was about $1.75 million. Pendley said CPLP funds have been exhausted for the remainder of the calendar year and staff is talking with partners about bridging strategies and possible use of HOME program income.
On code enforcement, staff said 47 homes were brought into compliance in FY25, 33 by voluntary owner action and 14 by order; county funds invested for code enforcement totaled $22,173, primarily demolition costs.
Pendley summarized program constraints: demand is concentrated inside Winston‑Salem municipal limits where county‑administered HOME and CPLP resources are heavily used; CPLP exhaustion will reduce down‑payment activity until additional funding or sponsorships are identified; and code enforcement can be delayed by clouded titles or pending foreclosures. Staff proposed several options for expanding the county’s role in affordable housing — including contributions to a housing trust fund or community land trust, or targeted assistance for Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects — but noted state law and fund‑source restrictions may require a voter referendum or dedicated general funds to expand county‑funded housing initiatives beyond what existing grant funds allow.
As a collaborative step, Pendley said City of Winston‑Salem staff have asked the county to consider a joint resolution affirming a shared commitment to meeting projected housing unit needs in the Carolina Core area; staff said the resolution would be non‑financial and focus on planning and zoning actions to reduce regulatory barriers.
Pendley said staff will host a housing resource fair on Nov. 8 at the Central Library and continue to evaluate creative uses of HOME program income for acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction consistent with federal rules.
","Community Development staff reported FY25 program activity for housing rehabilitation, homebuyer assistance and code enforcement, noted funding constraints for down‑payment programs and outlined next steps including a proposed joint resolution with Winston‑Salem on housing growth.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973188,"Forsyth County reports incentive pipeline, active infrastructure projects and workforce partnerships",3227,3205000,6432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72&start=3205&end=6432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72/thumbnail_3205000.jpg","/articles/5973188/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-reports-incentive-pipeline-active-infrastructure-projects-and-workforce-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973188-2bdbfb69a485c7d9bd4eee2d3ff42255/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424151&Signature=S5AN2FGivy99vx1NlNky-yc7fi4LhakyKIBPIq6qG8fZQPeqlZNAQTJFe0oRWv-qn49oGN5nTchy~1rqAw~b3o8mIg56q-gWo0FkFqfWSRePBcpH1WMfRAzcXYT49Riiv3tKnkwwh6piAtlulXb4MNrwcuK8YjS8gtQEJMnaFYEL-BNLZBJ6WIMaJausW95yT6tstdEFeT48YJBujTnBum1HtReJ0hIBtVwRT6OsDl2Ma04JvxGaXgg3x07nbHG-dub52jZpfX7zttqEG-HBzza~7erX~PZHXiH6NP3E7OD-Yz4PX1vSajsPgvyti2GTPMYV5dKWrgUTynQHDudS1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kirby Robinson, director of Community and Economic Development, told the Board of Commissioners that Forsyth County has 29 incentive agreements either completed, active or approved and that completed projects have generally outperformed original estimates for capital investment and tax benefits.
The numbers matter because the county uses incentives and infrastructure investments to attract or retain businesses, increase tax base and create jobs with benefits.
Robinson presented a five‑year summary: 12 incentives are completed, four are active (payments underway) and 13 are approved but not yet paying. Across completed incentives staff said companies had initially estimated about $481 million in capital investment and about 2,000 jobs; actuals to date outperformed estimates. Active and approved incentives account for several hundred million dollars more in projected capital investment and roughly 1,500–580 new jobs depending on the cohort. Robinson noted that incentive payments are capped at 50% of net new taxes and that payments are calculated with both capital investment and jobs components; underperformance on hiring can reduce annual incentive payments even when capital investment targets are met.
Staff described use of state grants alongside local incentives. Commerce building reuse grants and 1NC (Governor’s Office) grants have supplemented local packages; Robinson said the county has administered several such grants and that local staff ensure reimbursement and compliance. He said six building reuse grants had been awarded and two were pending in staff records.
Robinson also reviewed infrastructure projects intended to make industrial sites marketable: a roughly completed two‑and‑a‑half‑mile Highway 65 waterline extension (federal funds plus county/Utilities Commission contributions) with about $450,000 in remaining funds; a Tanglewood Business Park sewer installation funded by a $2.4 million Commerce grant now at 90% design; and the larger Wahlberg/Southeast Forsyth County Sewer Expansion, funded by a $19.7 million state appropriation and moving toward design‑build selection. Robinson said leftover funds from Highway 65 would likely be used to support low‑ and moderate‑income households connecting to the new line and that staff is coordinating legal and outreach steps.
On workforce development Robinson emphasized the LEAP apprenticeship model that brings on‑the‑job apprentices through community college partnerships. He said since 2019 there have been more than 200 LEAP apprentices; for the most recent year the county supported cohorts with 38 apprentices (fall), 27 (spring) and 20 (summer), and nine incentive companies were participating. Robinson said the county’s active incentive companies had an average annual wage of about $60,000.
Robinson closed by noting staff would continue to evaluate the county’s Business Assistance Guidelines and seek board direction on any potential updates.
","County economic development staff reported on 29 incentive agreements dating back five years, infrastructure projects (Highway 65 waterline, Tanglewood sewer, Wahlberg sewer), and workforce programs including LEAP apprenticeships tied to incentive companies.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973190,"Forsyth County staff brief commissioners on community grants awards, reporting and policy questions",4371,1007000,5378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72&start=1007&end=5378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833716-f55cae3ba1042f6e231880e3922b1a72/thumbnail_1007000.jpg","/articles/5973190/Forsyth-County/North-Carolina/Forsyth-County-staff-brief-commissioners-on-community-grants-awards-reporting-and-policy-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973190-8a8ef15b7b9760d23ff8cfd8a3184198/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424151&Signature=PjAV4Lu4POL9VRORnR4sAT6UWqEnkPVmFSZqmPJmmRlishT7XCOujspjiT3zWy5RMetYbrICQs9WmBDL2rg2Oz2S6pIAqzoqrHtfZCQncsPITHxSFIprx9joWRkfj~q7XTLY3ugsZjh-QjRjJSKLO20kiG1S5ldTM2iwxhGq2I3P0NzIvMKjZn35GEVTcmrauGqoNUfgDZNgCWmRUay~ctCLQeLhafqbIg2HqgnBQy6Debcw2SnN1uc0bF6UJ4jKiJlbZTC1ViWkM7780ZqEmdOAFsPGCwqyd3O2zrSn866VwEXILfgGWARppS6qbbHaCxuruOurFlw94JVsu9wQGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bailey Arnold, the county’s grants administrator, told the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 25 that staff closed fiscal year 2025 and is rolling out a more rigorous reporting and monitoring process for the FY26 grants program.
The update matters because commissioners must clarify how much the county will set aside for community grants, what counts as an allowable expense and whether recurring grantees should be carved out of the competitive pot.
Arnold summarized FY25 results, saying that 27 organizations received a total of $1,849,750 in awards and the county disbursed $1,837,086.69; one grantee returned or did not need the full award, leaving $12,113.31 unspent. For FY26, staff received 77 applications, awarded 32 organizations $1,816,812, and after one organization withdrew a $15,000 award, staff is administering 31 active projects totaling just over $1.8 million in awards. Arnold said the FY25 grantee reports were compiled into single‑page summaries modeled on ARPA impact reports and that FY26 reporting will be more robust and quarterly.
Arnold described a new grantee portal (Neighborly) that requires monthly quantitative expenditure reporting, activity logs and supporting documentation. “They have 3 tabs and a submission tab, but the first 1 is very quantitative,” Arnold said, describing fields for expenditures by category, participant counts and progress toward contracted outcomes. She said she has met one‑on‑one with about 20–25 grantees and scheduled roughly 20 site visits between October and December.
Commissioners pressed staff on interpretation of the policy language about whether community grant funding is “available” and therefore subject to mid‑year reductions if county revenues fall. County Manager Robinson told the board that staff interprets “funding available” to potentially apply both to the annual funding decision and, in extreme circumstances, to mid‑year reductions, but that legal and policy clarity from the board is needed. Robinson said staff would communicate with grantees “as soon as we would know” if a mid‑year reduction were necessary.
Several commissioners sought clearer lines of authority and process: some said they expected that a manager’s recommended budget would propose a cap; others said a cap should be set in advance so staff can vet applications up to a board‑set maximum. Arnold said staff followed the policy guidance and that FY26 used a cap similar to FY25 ($1,849,200), but asked the board whether to retain that amount or choose a different cap.
On allowable costs, staff reported a working interpretation that direct program delivery expenses tied to a contract (for example, a program manager who oversees the grant activity) are allowable, while HR, core finance staff, occupancy, utilities and certain capital or construction expenses were treated as unallowable in the FY26 review process. Arnold said legacy contracts used broader “operating expense” language and that the new policy tightens monitoring and documentation. Commissioners debated whether to permit capital grants on a case‑by‑case basis; County Attorney and staff said capital contributions are not prohibited but would require additional monitoring terms (for example, multi‑year covenants tying facility use to specified services).
On next steps, staff said applications for FY27 would open in October if the board agreed. Commissioners signaled consensus that the county should set a cap to guide staff vetting, that all applicants should apply (no carve‑outs were adopted that day), and that staff would not commit funding to grantees until the budget process produced a clearer funding recommendation. Arnold said staff will continue quarterly reporting to the board under the new format and that clearer application training for FY27 applicants will be provided in advance.
Less critical details: Arnold noted the community grants policy did not take effect until Sept. 19, 2025, so reporting requirements in the new policy do not retroactively apply to FY25 awards.
","County grant administrator reported FY25 and FY26 award totals, rollout of new reporting in Neighborly, and sought board guidance on a budget cap, carve-outs for recurring grantees and whether capital projects should be allowable.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Forsyth County health staff cite racial disparity in infant deaths despite overall downward trends

Forsyth County updates commissioners on Hall of Justice sale, Cy Works conversion and Idles/Tanglewood site options

Forsyth County reports housing rehab, down‑payment assistance and code enforcement activity; staff explores housing trust and city collaboration

Forsyth County reports incentive pipeline, active infrastructure projects and workforce partnerships

Forsyth County staff brief commissioners on community grants awards, reporting and policy questions