Governor Josh Stein announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved four grants totaling $1,872,019 for local governments in North Carolina. These grants are expected to help create 170 jobs and attract more than $74.5 million in private investment.
“North Carolina’s rural communities are essential to our state’s economy and culture,” said Governor Josh Stein. “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.”
The RIA operates with support from the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Its members review funding requests from local communities, with resources coming from specialized grant and loan programs managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division under Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight. The grants can be used for projects such as infrastructure development, building renovation or expansion, demolition, and site improvements.
“When we help cultivate the conditions for economic prosperity in rural North Carolina, our whole state benefits,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “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.”
Three of the approved grants fall under the Building Reuse Program:
– In Anson County, a $500,000 grant will help Halal Meat Slaughter House, Inc., a family-owned meat processing company, relocate to a 28,441-square-foot building in Ansonville. The company plans to create 61 jobs and invest $4.46 million.
– In Gaston County, another $500,000 grant will assist Healsee Capsules, Inc., a manufacturer of cellulose ethers and plant-based capsules, in establishing its second U.S. location at a 175,239-square-foot facility in Bessemer City. This project is expected to bring 95 new jobs and an investment of $69.5 million.
– In Alexander County, a $175,000 grant will allow Urgent Care of Mountain View, LLC to move into a larger former hospital building in Taylorsville. The provider offers walk-in care for injuries and illnesses along with routine testing services; this move is projected to create 14 jobs with an investment of over $551,000.
The Building Reuse Program provides financial support for renovating vacant buildings or expanding existing facilities occupied by North Carolina companies or health care providers located in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties or certain rural areas.
One additional grant was approved under the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program:
– Burke County received $697,019 to install more than 2,500 feet of natural gas pipeline serving Burke Business Park—an industrial park established in 2005 covering 83 acres.
The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account supports infrastructure projects aimed at job creation within economically distressed counties classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2.
The RIA also sets policies for these grant programs and consists of 17 voting members appointed by state leaders including the Governor. At this meeting William “Bill” Webb from Richmond County was elected chairman while Joe Sam Queen from Haywood County was named vice-chair.
More information about these initiatives is available on the Rural Economic Development Division webpage: https://www.commerce.nc.gov/about-us/divisions-programs/rural-economic-development-division
