Rural Development in North Carolina Gets a Boost with New Grants
In an exciting development for rural North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein has revealed that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has sanctioned four grants totaling $1,872,019 for local governments. These grants are expected to pave the way for the creation of 170 jobs and are set to stimulate over $74.5 million in private investments.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, “North Carolina’s rural communities are essential to our state’s economy and culture. These rural infrastructure grants are a strategic investment in facilities, public services, and accessible health care that will lead to growth and opportunity in small towns across our state.”
Supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s rural economic development team, the RIA evaluates and approves funding requests from local communities. These funds are sourced from various grant and loan programs managed by the Rural Economic Development Division, under the leadership of Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight. The grants target a range of projects, such as infrastructure development, building renovations, and site improvements.
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley highlighted the broader impact of these initiatives by noting, “When we help cultivate the conditions for economic prosperity in rural North Carolina, our whole state benefits. We are America’s top state for business in part because of the strong partnerships we have with our rural counties and municipalities, which use RIA grants as tools to support the creation of good jobs.”
Building Reuse Program Grants
The RIA has approved three grants under the Building Reuse Program, which falls into two categories:
Vacant Building Category
- Anson County: A grant of $500,000 will be used to repurpose a 28,441-square-foot building in Ansonville. Halal Meat Slaughter House, Inc., a family-run enterprise, plans to relocate and expand its operations here, creating 61 jobs with an investment of $4,465,631.
- Gaston County: Another $500,000 grant will facilitate the reuse of a 175,239-square-foot building in Bessemer City. Healsee Capsules, Inc., a global manufacturer, intends to establish its second U.S. location here, leading to the creation of 95 jobs and an investment of $69.5 million.
Rural Health Building Category
- Alexander County: A $175,000 grant will support the transformation of a 15,995-square-foot former hospital in Taylorsville. Urgent Care of Mountain View, LLC will move to this updated facility, expanding its healthcare services and creating 14 jobs with an investment of $551,143.
For more details, visit the Building Reuse Program.
Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account Grant
Additionally, the RIA has approved a grant under the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program:
- Burke County: A $697,019 grant will help expand a natural gas pipeline by more than 2,500 feet to service Burke Business Park, an 83-acre industrial area established in 2005.
The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account supports local governments in the state’s 80 most economically distressed counties, classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2. These funds are aimed at infrastructure projects that are likely to result in job creation. The funding is derived from the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program, where a portion of awards to companies in Tier 2 or 3 counties is allocated to the Utility Account.
In addition to approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority sets priorities and policies for grant and loan programs under the Rural Economic Development Division. The authority consists of 17 voting members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President Pro Tem, with the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serving as an ex officio member.
The recent meeting also saw the election of new officers for the RIA. William “Bill” Webb from Richmond County was named chairman, while Joe Sam Queen of Haywood County was appointed vice-chair.
Visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage for more information.
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