Caswell County Library Gets a Big Upgrade

Caldwell County Manager Bryan Miller at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Caldwell County Public Library.

The Gunn Memorial Public Library in Yanceyville has been described as more of a community center than a “hush hush” library by Caswell County Public Library Director Rhonda Griffin (Community Projects Thrive with Electric Co-op Funding). The once-cramped space received a major expansion and renovation in part due to a $995,000 zero-interest loan facilitated by Piedmont Electric in Hillsborough. The loan was funded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.

The facility, officially reopened at a May 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony, provides increased resources and educational opportunities for every citizen in Caswell County, with new facilities including a local history room, meeting rooms and business center.

The Gunn Memorial Public Library back in 2016. Photo by DeCarlo Photography.

“The library contributes to economic development in the county by helping job applicants build resumes and grow a competitive workforce,” said Griffin. “The expansion also allows for increased educational opportunities for our students with STEM labs, tutoring and after-school activities.”

“We are proud to support a community in which we serve and help the Caswell County Public Library fund their expansion,” said Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric president and CEO. “Education and supporting our community are two of our seven guiding principles that we have followed since we were founded over 80 years ago. Working with the library gives us a unique opportunity to invest in our students’ education and the county’s economic development.”

The REDLG program provides zero-interest funds from the federal government to local electric cooperatives, which in turn lend the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas. To date, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have participated in the financing of more than 100 economic development projects through the REDLG program, channeling more than $1 billion into rural communities.