Rural Infrastructure Authority Approves Grants to Create137 Jobs in Rural Communities

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved nine grant requests to local governments within the state, totaling $2,941,000 in investment. The grants include commitments creating a total of 137 jobs and will attract more than $52 million in public and private investment.

The Rural Infrastructure Authority is a 17-member board that awards Rural, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Utility grant funds, which include the Building Reuse Program and the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program. The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct healthcare facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties and rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.

The RIA approved five grant requests under this program, four of which were awarded to companies represented by the EDPNC. These four grants fall under the Vacant Building, Existing Business Building, and Rural Health Building categories. The grantees supported via partnership with the EDPNC include:

Vacant Building Category

• Rockingham County: A $500,000 grant will support the reuse of a 216,086-square-foot facility in Reidsville for Joyalways Corporation, a manufacturer of wet wipes—including baby wipes and non-alcoholic variants—that exports to more than 60 countries. The company plans to create 44 jobs and has a private investment of $10,757,500.
• Transylvania County: A $75,000 grant will support the reuse of a 4,100-square-foot facility in Brevard for Nature Trails NC, LLC, an outdoor recreation company that fabricates trail structures such as benches, kiosks, bike ramps, and other components. The company is expected to create 16 jobs and includes a private investment of $80,745.

Existing Business Building Category

• Hertford County: A $280,000 grant will support Structural Coating Hertford, LLC’s expansion of its Cofield building, adding 5,026 square feet to its footprint. The company specializes in advanced steel coating processes, including blast cleaning and the application of protective coatings to steel plates. The project is expected to create 35 jobs with a private investment of $1,674,659.

Rural Health Building Category

• Town of Pembroke (Robeson County): A $150,000 grant will support the construction of a new 29,000-square-foot facility in Pembroke for Robeson Health Care Corporation, a healthcare provider expanding its existing operations. The new site will accommodate 1,000 additional patients annually and feature a dedicated eye care center, additional exam rooms, and a more functional, patient-friendly environment. The project is expected to create 12 jobs and includes a private investment of $11,442,615.

In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development team. The Governor, Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tem appoint its 17 voting members. The North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serves as a member of the Authority, ex officio.

For additional information about N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, visit www.commerce.nc.gov/rural-economic-development-division.