North Carolina Advances Rural Development with New Grant Approvals
Governor Josh Stein announced a series of grant approvals in Raleigh, N.C., aimed at fostering rural development across the state. The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has given the green light to seven grant applications from local governments, totaling $1,657,500, which are projected to catalyze $41 million in additional investments and generate 189 new jobs.
“Investing in rural infrastructure unlocks opportunity,” said Governor Josh Stein. “When we strengthen rural North Carolina, we empower local economies, we connect our people to critical services, and we ensure that no matter where someone lives, we offer them a fair shot at success.”
The grants, reviewed and sanctioned by the RIA, are supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, which is overseen by Assistant Secretary Reginald Speight. The funding is intended for a range of projects, including infrastructure enhancements and building updates, thereby expanding the scope of economic activities in these regions.
“North Carolina has the second-largest rural population in America,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “These grants are critical to strengthening the economic competitiveness of our state from Murphy to Manteo and are direct investments in the long-term vitality of every rural community.”
The latest approvals under the Building Reuse Program cover two main categories of projects: Vacant Building and Existing Business Building. These encompass the following:
Vacant Building Category
- Anson County: A $225,000 grant will enable the conversion of a 29,000-square-foot building in Wadesboro for Hinson & Hale Medical Technologies, Inc. This initiative is expected to create 59 jobs with a $1.4 million investment.
- Henderson County: With an $80,000 grant, a 31,000-square-foot building in Fletcher will be repurposed for HiVIZ LED Lighting, Inc., promising 10 new jobs and a $931,649 investment.
- Rockingham County: A $500,000 grant will aid the transformation of a 162,000-square-foot facility in Eden for TSEA Energy, contributing to 36 jobs and $24.4 million in investment.
Existing Business Building Category
- Cherokee County: A $40,000 grant will assist in renovating a building in Murphy for Aegis Power Systems, Inc., which plans to create 10 jobs and invest $161,533.
- Gaston County: DePalo Foods in Belmont will expand with a $187,500 grant, adding 25,000 square feet for increased production, creating 30 jobs, and drawing $8.3 million in private investment.
- Robeson County: A $400,000 grant will support upgrades to a 350,000-square-foot Lumberton building for C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC, generating 50 jobs and a $3.1 million investment.
- Stanly County: Michelin North America, Inc. is set to expand aviation tire production in a 407,000-square-foot facility in Norwood, with a $225,000 grant helping to create 30 jobs and $28.1 million in investments.
The Building Reuse Program offers grants to renovate and expand facilities in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, as well as rural areas within Tier 3 counties, thereby generating employment opportunities in these regions.
The RIA not only approves funding but also shapes the policies for the grant and loan programs. It is composed of 17 voting members, appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem, with the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serving as an ex officio member.
For further details, visit the Rural Economic Development Division’s webpage.
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