Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday accepted three grants — two from ECU Health for the police and fire departments and one an additional allotment from the state from the American Rescue Plan Act funds for the library.

The $10,000 each to fire and police departments will be used to purchase automated external defibrillator equipment.

Fire Chief Jason Patrick said the department will buy seven defibrillators which will be comparable to the ones Halifax County EMS uses.

Police Chief Bobby Martin said the department will buy 10.

“We plan to get another grant,” Martin said. “ECU North has been a big help with this.”

Meanwhile, Finance Director Carmen Johnson told the council that libraries across the state are receiving additional aid funds from ARPA.

She said the Roanoke Rapids Public Library will receive $44,253 in a lump sum. The funds can be used for salaries, operating costs, equipment and materials.

Johnson said this funding is separate from the city’s regular monthly state aid payment. The city has until the end of 2024 to use the funds.

Head Librarian Leigh Ann Brodsky said one of the things she plans to do with the funds is upgrade the lighting in the library with LED lights. 

The remaining uses for the funding will be assessed, she said. “We’ll definitely come up with some other projects.”