Rural Infrastructure Authority approves grants to rural communities to create over 270 jobs

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 15 grant requests to local governments within the state, totaling $43 million in private and public investment. The grants include commitments to creating a total of 277 jobs, 71 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:

• Buncombe County: A $100,000 grant will support the renovation of a 325,000-square-foot building – built in 1984 – located at 1250 Sand Hill Road in Enka. Southeastern Container Inc. is a manufacturer of plastic bottles and bottle closures, providing products to over 50 Coca-Cola operations in the U.S. and Canada. The company will create 12 jobs and invest $8,105,624 in the project.
• Craven County: A $360,000 grant will support the reuse of a 100,000-square-foot building at 701 Industrial Drive in New Bern. The building was constructed in 2003 and has been vacant for six months. Chatsworth Products is a global provider of structural solutions for a wide variety of applications, industries, and business needs. Its products include cabinet, containment, and enclosures systems. The company will create 45 jobs and invest $635,860 in the project.
• City of Fayetteville: An $80,000 grant will support the reuse of a 21,000-square-foot building at 200 Green St. in Fayetteville. The building was constructed in 1978 and has been vacant for six months. Benjamin Stout Real Estate Services Inc. is a home builder and full-service real estate company. The project will renovate and revitalize a former bank building in downtown Fayetteville. The company will create 10 jobs and invest $757,313 in the project.
• Town of Tarboro: A $500,000 grant will support the renovation of a 480,000-square-foot building at 2901/2801 Anaconda Road. The building was constructed in 1966. LS Cable & Systems is a South Korea-based industrial corporation with global operations. The company develops, produces, and provides power and telecommunication cables and systems, as well as integrated modules and other related industrial materials. The company also provides engineering services, installation and commissioning of high voltage and extra high voltage landlines. The company will create 85 jobs and invest $10,882,000 in the project.
• Forsyth County: A $175,000 grant will support the reuse of a 144,000-square-foot building located at 2061 E. 5th Street in Winston-Salem. The building was constructed in 1963 and has been vacant for nine months. GMAX Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of medical disposable products for the healthcare industry. Products include medical gowns, medical towels, and surgical drapes. Overall, the project will create 36 jobs, and 26 jobs and an investment of $5,788,000 are tied to this grant.
• Halifax County: A $174,000 grant will support the reuse of a 125,000-square-foot building located at 102 Julian Allsbrook Highway in Weldon. The building was constructed in 1930 and has been vacant for one year. East Coast Solutions, LLC is an animal protein blending facility. The company will produce value-added blends tailored to specific nutritional requirements for the feed, pet food, and aquaculture industries. The company will create 20 jobs and invest $175,880 in the facility.
• Surry County: A $500,000 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 200 Altec Way in Mount Airy. The building was constructed in 1998. Altec Industries, Inc. is a provider of products and services to the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets. The company plans to add a total of 26,000 square feet to their existing facility. The company will create 79 jobs and invest $9,668,000 in the facility.

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.