North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced that the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 15 grants for local governments, totaling nearly $5.9 million. These grants are expected to help create 277 jobs, with 71 of those previously announced, and attract 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 operates under the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division. The authority reviews funding requests from communities and allocates money from specialized grant and loan programs for projects such as infrastructure upgrades, building renovations or expansions, demolitions, and site improvements.
“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 approved under the Building Reuse Program:
– In Craven County, a $360,000 grant will help renovate a large building in New Bern for Chatsworth Products’ manufacturing expansion. This project will create 45 jobs.
– Fayetteville will receive $80,000 for Benjamin Stout Real Estate Services’ reuse of a vacant building, creating 10 jobs.
– Forsyth County was awarded $175,000 for GMAX Industries’ use of a facility in Winston-Salem; this project will create 36 jobs.
– Halifax County received $174,000 for East Coast Solutions’ renovation in Weldon to support pet food production and create 20 jobs.
– Buncombe County was granted $100,000 for Southeastern Container’s renovation project that is expected to add 12 jobs.
– Tarboro in Edgecombe County received $500,000 for LS Cable and System USA’s expansion which aims to create 85 new positions.
– Surry County was also awarded $500,000 toward Altec Industries’ expansion in Mount Airy resulting in 79 new jobs.
Two additional grants were approved through the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program:
– Nash County received $236,453 to extend sewer infrastructure supporting future industrial growth.
– North Wilkesboro was awarded over $1.2 million to expand sewer lines into Wilkes Industrial Park as part of efforts toward NC Certified Sites certification.
Three further grants came from the Rural Downtown Economic Development program:
– Washington (Beaufort County) will get an $850,000 grant for downtown streetscape improvements.
– Longview (Catawba County) also receives an $850,000 grant aimed at sidewalk upgrades improving accessibility downtown.
– Edenton (Chowan County) is allocated an equal amount for lighting improvements in its historic downtown area.
The RIA also helps set policies on how these programs operate. Its members include appointees from the governor as well as legislative leaders.
For further details about these programs or other initiatives by the Rural Economic Development Division visit their official webpage.
