North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority Awards Over $4.9 Million in Grants
In a significant boost to North Carolina’s rural development, Governor Josh Stein has announced the approval of 11 grant requests by the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA), totaling $4,933,520. These grants are set to facilitate the creation of 673 jobs, with 331 positions previously declared. Anticipated private investments resulting from these initiatives are projected to surpass $1 billion.
“North Carolina is full of strong rural communities and great people,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These grants will help them make important improvements, strengthen local infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and bring new investments to the places people call home.”
The RIA, supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, reviews funding applications from communities across the state. Funding is sourced from various specialized grant and loan programs managed by the department’s Rural Economic Development Division under the leadership of Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight. These grants support infrastructure development, building renovations, expansions, demolitions, and site enhancements.
“Across North Carolina, rural communities are working hard to create places where businesses want to invest and where people can find good opportunities close to home,” stated N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “In keeping with North Carolina’s new First in Opportunity plan, we are proud to partner with rural communities across the state by providing these tools to support infrastructure.”
Building Reuse Program
Under the state’s Building Reuse Program, the RIA approved 10 grants categorized as follows:
Vacant Building Category
- City of Claremont (Catawba County): A $500,000 grant backs renovations for Prysmian Cables and Systems USA’s expansion, expected to create 385 jobs. The grant supports 110 jobs and an investment of $2,041,072.
- City of Fayetteville (Cumberland County): A $500,000 grant aids the reuse of a 28,479-square-foot building by Skyeton Inc., a developer of uncrewed aircraft systems. The project aims to create 162 jobs, with 93 jobs and a $3,112,435 investment tied to the grant.
- City of Greensboro (Guilford County): A $500,000 grant helps reuse a 100,394-square-foot building for Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc., a seller of HVAC and filtration systems. The project forecasts 131 jobs, with 65 jobs and a $9.7 million investment linked to the grant.
Existing Business Building Category
- City of Burlington (Alamance County): A $500,000 grant funds renovation of an 800,000-square-foot building for Alamance Foods, Inc.’s expansion, expected to create 94 jobs with a $36,578,238 investment.
- City of Lenoir (Caldwell County): A $186,000 grant supports renovation for Chase Corporation, creating 37 jobs with an investment of $233,274.
- Town of Tarboro (Edgecombe County): A $300,000 grant facilitates a 28,000-square-foot expansion for Astemo Indiana, Inc., creating 52 jobs, with 37 jobs and a $43,715,000 investment tied to the grant.
- Town of Tarboro (Edgecombe County): A $280,000 grant supports a 9,200-square-foot expansion for Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA, LLC, creating 40 jobs with a $2,018,500 investment.
- Halifax County: A $95,000 grant aids renovations for JBB Packaging, LLC, creating 12 jobs with a $5,202,900 investment.
- Pitt County: A $100,000 grant backs renovations for Winterville Machine Works, creating nine jobs with a $474,640 investment.
Rural Health Category
- Buncombe County: A $480,000 grant supports Appalachian Mountain Health’s integrated health care facility in Black Mountain, creating 48 jobs with a $14,591,626 investment.
The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments for renovating vacant buildings and expanding existing ones, aiming to create new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties and rural Tier 3 census tracts.
Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account
The RIA also approved one grant under this program:
- City of Wilson (Wilson County): A $1,492,520 grant will enhance sewer infrastructure at the Wilson Corporate Park, supporting Johnson & Johnson’s expansion with 128 jobs and $900 million in private investment tied to the grant.
This fund allocates grants to local governments in economically distressed counties (Tier 1 or Tier 2) for publicly owned utility infrastructure projects, promoting economic growth and job creation. These projects often involve improvements to water, sewer, electric, gas, and broadband systems, supporting business and industrial expansion.
In addition to approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by the Commerce Department’s Rural Economic Development team. The authority’s 17 voting members are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem, with the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serving as an ex officio member.
Newly elected officers of the RIA include Chairman Joe Sam Queen of Haywood County and Vice-Chair Ronald Wesson of Bertie County.
For more information, visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage.
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