Rural Infrastructure Authority Approves Grants to Rural Communities to Create 189 jobs

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved seven grant requests to local governments within the state, totaling $41 million in private and public investment. The grants include commitments to creating a total of 215 jobs, 26 of which were previously announced.

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 seven grant requests under the Building Reuse Program, all of which were awarded to companies represented by the EDPNC, including:

• Anson County: A $225,000 grant will support the reuse of a 29,708-square-foot building located at 493 Anson Apparel Shirt Road in Wadesboro. The building was constructed in 1979 and has been vacant for more than three years. Hinson & Hale Medical Technologies, Inc is a manufacturer of medical devices, producing surgical drapes, isolation gowns, sterilization wraps, and procedure packs. The company’s primary customers will include hospital systems, Group Purchasing Organizations, the US Dept of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The company will create 59 jobs and invest $1,403,214 in the project.
• Cherokee County: A $40,000 grant will support the renovation of a building located at 849 Greenlawn Cemetery Road in Murphy. The building was constructed in 2012. Aegis Power Systems, Inc. specializes in the custom design and manufacturing of high-reliability AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies for a variety of markets. This is the second building reuse grant to benefit the company. The company will create 10 jobs and invest $161,533 in the project.
• Gaston County: A $187,500 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 2010 Oaks Parkway in Belmont. The building was constructed in 1996. DePalo Foods is a 20 year old company that manufactures Italian savory goods for the retail sector. Products include pizza dough, strombolis, and calzones. The company plans to add 25,000 square feet to its existing facility. This is the second grant to benefit the company. The company will create 30 jobs and invest $8,352,276 in the project.
• Henderson County: An $80,000 grant will support the reuse of a 31,313 square-foot building located at 220 Continuum Dr. in Fletcher. The building was constructed in 1995 and has been vacant for three months. HiViz Lighting Inc. creates, designs, and manufactures lighting fixtures and parts for emergency vehicles. The company will create 10 jobs and invest $931,649 in the project.
• Robeson County: A $400,000 grant will support the renovation of a 350,000 square-foot building located at 121 Cold Storage Road in Lumberton. The building was constructed in 1981. C & S Wholesale Grocers is a 108-year-old company that supplies grocers, supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with over 100,000 different products. The company will create 50 jobs and invest $3.1 million in the project.
• Rockingham County: A $500,000 grant will support the reuse of a 162,000 square-foot building located at 816 Fieldcrest Road in Eden. The building was constructed in 1995 and has been vacant for 18 months. TSEA Energy, Inc. is a 55-year-old Brazilian manufacturer of electrical equipment with operations in over 40 countries. The company produces power transformers, voltage regulators, protection and control systems and integrated solutions. The company will create 26 jobs and invest $24,417,020 in the project.
• Stanly County: A $225,000 grant will support the renovation of a building located at 40589 Stanly School Rd. in Norwood. The building was constructed in 1984. Michelin North America is a 130-year-old company who produces tires and mobility components across a variety of sectors. The company will be adding US-based manufacturing of Michelin’s aircraft to be used for domestic, regional, military, and general aviation aircraft. The company will create 30 jobs and invest $2,239,000 in the project.

In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the NC 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 NC Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, visit www.commerce.nc.gov/rural-economic-development-division.

About the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina’s statewide economic development organization. Governed by an 18-member board of business and industry leaders from across the state, the EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, tourism and film marketing. The EDPNC, which operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, works closely with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels. To learn more, visit www.edpnc.com.