North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has announced that the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 12 grant requests for local governments, totaling nearly $5.9 million. These grants are projected to help create 277 jobs, including 71 previously announced positions, and support more than $43 million in combined public and private investment.
“When rural North Carolina wins, all of North Carolina wins,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These grants are strengthening infrastructure, increasing rural economic competitiveness, and giving more people the opportunity to have a great job close to home.”
The RIA is part of the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s rural economic development team. It reviews and approves funding requests from local communities using several grant and loan programs managed by the department’s Rural Economic Division. The division is led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight.
“Investing in our rural communities is more than infrastructure; it’s providing opportunity,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Companies are looking for great places to work, live and play, and with commercial buildings and industrial sites that are ready to be activated, every corner of the state becomes the best place to do business.”
Seven grants were awarded under the Building Reuse Program in two categories: vacant building reuse and existing business building renovation or expansion.
In the vacant building category:
– Craven County received $360,000 for Chatsworth Products’ manufacturing expansion in New Bern, expected to create 45 jobs.
– Fayetteville was awarded $80,000 for Benjamin Stout Real Estate Services’ project creating 10 jobs.
– Forsyth County got $175,000 for GMAX Industries’ facility in Winston-Salem to create 36 jobs.
– Halifax County received $174,000 for East Coast Solutions’ new operation in Weldon with 20 jobs.
In the existing business building category:
– Buncombe County received $100,000 for Southeastern Container’s renovation project creating 12 jobs.
– Tarboro (Edgecombe County) was awarded $500,000 for LS Cable and System USA’s facility expansion creating 85 jobs.
– Surry County received $500,000 for Altec Industries’ expansion creating 79 jobs.
The Building Reuse Program helps renovate or expand buildings occupied by North Carolina companies or health care facilities leading to new job creation in economically distressed counties.
Two grants were approved under the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program:
– Nash County will receive $236,453 for sewer infrastructure extension supporting future industrial growth with a related private investment of $6.5 million.
– North Wilkesboro (Wilkes County) was granted $1.2 million to extend road and utility lines into Wilkes Industrial Park as it seeks NC Certified Sites certification.
This fund provides resources for publicly owned infrastructure projects expected to result in job creation within economically distressed areas classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties.
Three additional grants were made through the Rural Downtown Economic Development program:
– Washington (Beaufort County) will use an $850,000 grant on streetscape improvements such as sidewalks and lighting.
– Longview (Catawba County) will receive an equal amount for sidewalk construction and ADA-compliant ramps downtown.
– Edenton (Chowan County) will use its grant to upgrade lighting downtown.
These grants aim at supporting revitalization efforts intended to retain businesses and enhance main street assets across communities.
The RIA also formulates policies for these programs. Its members are appointed by state officials including the Governor—who serves all of North Carolina as chief executive according to the official website—as well as legislative leaders. The Secretary of Commerce serves ex officio on this authority board.
Josh Stein currently serves as North Carolina’s governor—the state’s chief executive who leads policy implementation according to the official website. The Office oversees execution of laws statewide and manages appointments within executive agencies (source).
More information about these initiatives can be found at the Rural Economic Development Division webpage.
