North Carolina’s $5 Million Boost for Rural Development: Infrastructure Grants Announced
In a significant move to bolster rural development, Governor Josh Stein has revealed that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has sanctioned 15 grant requests from local governments, amounting to a total of $5,042,113. These funds are set to pave the way for the creation of 702 jobs, with 386 of these positions already disclosed previously. The state anticipates this public investment will attract over $104 million from the private sector.
Governor Stein emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, “Every investment we make in rural North Carolina enhances our state’s economic competitiveness and people’s lives. These local governments grantees are receiving critical funding for infrastructure improvements that spur job creation and help their communities compete for future economic development wins.”
The RIA operates under the guidance of the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s rural economic development team. The agency’s role includes evaluating and approving funding applications from localities, with the funding sourced from specialized grant and loan programs managed by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division. This division is led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight. The grants are designated for diverse purposes such as infrastructure development, building renovations, expansions, demolitions, and site improvements.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley stated, “The rural grant programs are vital to North Carolina’s economic prosperity. These grant awards are a testament to the assets that attract companies across all sectors to every corner of our state, including a world-class workforce, a central East Coast location, and a great quality of life.”
Building Reuse Program: 13 Approved Grants
The RIA has endorsed 13 grants under the state’s Building Reuse Program, which supports the renovation and expansion of buildings in various categories:
Vacant Building Category
- Bladen County: A $220,000 grant is set to facilitate the reuse of a 26,400-square-foot building in Elizabethtown by VectorTex USA, LTD, an advanced manufacturer. This project aims to create 29 jobs with an investment of $236,400.
- Forsyth County: A $250,000 grant will aid the reuse of a 12,300-square-foot facility in Winston-Salem for WH Farms, a hemp product manufacturer, resulting in 38 new jobs and a private investment of $1,350,000.
- City of Asheboro (Randolph County): Environmental Air Systems will utilize a $500,000 grant for renovating a 284,000-square-foot building, creating 300 jobs with a $19,500,000 investment.
- Town of Ramseur (Randolph County): Earth Retention Industries, Inc. will occupy a 55,000-square-foot building supported by a $175,000 grant, creating 21 jobs with an investment of $2,537,000.
- Town of Zebulon (Wake County): A $300,000 grant will support TNT 3D Construction in reusing a 105,800-square-foot building, expected to generate 36 jobs and a $720,588 investment.
Existing Business Building Category
- Ashe County: GE Aerospace will expand its building in West Jefferson with a $250,000 grant, creating 44 jobs and investing $52.9 million.
- Town of Mocksville (Davie County): Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. will add 46,000 square feet to its facility, supported by a $150,000 grant, creating 20 jobs and investing $4,051,500.
- Hertford County: Metal Technologies of Murfreesboro will expand its building with an $80,000 grant, creating 10 jobs with a $269,228 investment.
- Nash County: Eaton, Inc. will utilize a $200,000 grant to expand its facility in Middlesex, adding 30 jobs with a $6.8 million investment.
- Wayne County: Goshen Engineering, Inc. will expand its building with a $200,000 grant, creating 25 jobs and investing $794,501.
- Wayne County: Scout Limited, Inc. will renovate a facility with a $95,000 grant, generating 13 jobs with a $320,000 investment.
Rural Health Building Category
- Rowan County: Complete Well-Care Source will construct a 30,000-square-foot building in Salisbury with a $500,000 grant, creating 125 jobs and investing $14,495,782.
- City of Albemarle (Stanly County): Pee Dee Health Clinic will reuse a 17,000-square-foot building with a $350,000 grant, creating 28 jobs with a $1,235,500 investment.
The Building Reuse Program aims to renovate vacant buildings, expand existing facilities, and construct healthcare facilities to foster job creation in economically distressed areas.
Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account: 2 Approved Grants
- Town of West Jefferson (Ashe County): A $922,113 grant will enhance water and sewer infrastructure at Ashe Industrial Park.
- Town of Bladenboro (Bladen County): An $850,000 grant will improve wastewater infrastructure, including a new pump station and force main, to support future growth.
The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account provides grants for infrastructure projects expected to lead to job creation in the state’s most economically distressed counties.
Additionally, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority, consisting of 17 voting members appointed by state leaders, formulates policies and priorities for these grant and loan programs.
For further details, visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage.
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