Hertford capitalizes on American Rescue Plan funds to protect citizens and support town growth

The Town of Hertford sits along the Perquimans River in northeastern North Carolina. It is one of the earliest established towns in the state, incorporated in 1758. With a population of approximately 2,200, Hertford serves as the county seat of Perquimans County. With its rich history, scenic waterways, and strong agricultural roots, the town offers a distinctive and welcoming environment.

“The beauty, the water, the friendliness, the sense of community—the people are authentic … that’s the charm of the town,” Sandra Anderson, Hertford mayor pro tem, said. 

Anderson, who originally hails from Maryland, has called Hertford home for six years. She speaks of the community and friendliness that have made the town truly feel like a home.

“I used to hear of Southern hospitality, but I now know what it really, truly is, because I have never seen hospitality like I have seen it since I have been living here in this area,” Anderson continued.

The town has big plans for its future and is taking steps now to provide for its current and future residents. In this two-part series, we will share how since 2021, when the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was passed, the Town of Hertford has been making use of the distributed funds to help them move into that future now. 

Hertford was granted approximately $675,000 in ARP funds. Doris Walton, Hertford’s interim town manager, shared that the town had several projects it considered for the use of these funds, but recognizing the time restrictions for spending these dollars, town leaders ultimately opted for the purchase of a new fire truck for the town’s volunteer fire department.

Management of the fire department is one of the most vital functions of town government, yet equipment for these departments continues to increase in price. Hertford knew the department, which serves not only the town but the surrounding county as well, needed an upgraded truck that could assist in handling the approximately 150 calls received each year. Town leaders had to decide whether to take on a large debt to pay for a new truck—a debt that would put the town in a more difficult financial situation, and where future payments would go towards an item that depreciates each year.

“We felt [the ARP funds] were meant to help a town move forward, and for us it has … helped us in several ways. It was money that we had [in hand] and we could put it directly to fund [the truck] versus having to take on a debt that would not serve [the town] well,” Walton said. “And we felt that it would help the community overall as well as the county that we reside in.”

Ashley Eure, Hertford finance officer, shared that many do not realize all that goes into a large purchase such as a fire truck. The purchase begins with simply the truck itself, but these trucks house a variety of equipment that must be added to the purchase, driving up the cost.  

“We were not only able to purchase the truck, but we were also able to purchase the equipment. So, the truck was fully ready to go into action the day we got it and that would have been hard for us if we did not have the [ARP] funds,” Eure said.

The 1,500-gallon-per-minute pumper truck has been in service for Hertford since the summer of 2024. The truck can hold 1,000 gallons of water and 40 gallons of foam. It is an investment that will serve the citizens of Hertford and Perquimans County for many years.