Rural Infrastructure Authority approves 15 grants to rural communities to create over 700 jobs

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 15 grant requests to local governments within the state, totaling $5,042,113 in investment. The grants include commitments to creating a total of 702 jobs – 386 of which were previously announced – and will attract more than $104 million in 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 13 grant requests under the Building Reuse Program, 12 of which were awarded to companies represented by the EDPNC, including:

• Ashe County: A $250,000 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 400 Professional Drive in West Jefferson. The building was originally constructed in 1998. GE Aerospace is a global provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. The company plans to add 35,000 square feet of space to its existing facility. The company will create 32 jobs and invest $52,735,800 in the project.
• City of Asheboro: A $500,000 grant will support the renovation of a 284,000-square-foot building located at 4402 US Hwy 220 Bus South in Asheboro. The building was constructed in 1998. Environmental Air Systems (EAS) is a building and service provider for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing building systems. This will be the company’s third manufacturing facility in NC. The company will create 300 jobs and invest $19,500,000 in the project.
• Bladen County: A $220,000 grant will support the reuse of a 26,490-square-foot building located at 518 Ben Greene Industrial Park in Elizabethtown. The building was constructed in 2019 and has been vacant for 18 months. VectorTex USA, LTD, is an advanced manufacturing and technology company specializing in polymer innovation and integration. Products include bulk water bottles and insulated double wall drinkware. The company is based in Australia and has plans to set up a U.S. manufacturer focused on the medical device and aquaculture industries. The company will create 29 jobs and invest $236,400 in the project.
• Town of Mocksville: A $150,000 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 155 Boyce Drive in Mocksville. The building was constructed in 2003. Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures a variety of products for the sports equipment market. Products include protective nettings, stadium wall padding, and seating solutions. The company plans to add 46,000 square feet to the existing facility. The company will create 20 jobs and invest $4,051,500 jobs in the project.
• Forsyth County: A $250,000 grant will support the reuse of a 12,300-square-foot building located at 2101 Sunnyside Ave. in Winston-Salem. The building was constructed in 1949 and has been vacant for 24 months. WH Farms is a manufacturer of hemp and hemp wellness products. The company has expanded its client base and began exporting its product and developed a strong international pipeline for growth. This project will allow the company to relocate their manufacturing operation from Maryland to North Carolina. The company will create 38 jobs and invest $1,350,000 in the project.
• Hertford County: An $80,000 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 314 West Broad St. in Murfreesboro. The building was constructed in 1968. Metal Technologies of Murfreesboro, LLC is a custom metal fabrication manufacturer, providing equipment maintenance and repair services to a variety of end markets including steel, chemicals, and the infrastructure industries. The company plans to add 3,680 square feet to its existing facility. The company will create 10 jobs and invest $269,228 in the project.
• Nash County: A $200,000 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 8171 Planer Mill Road in Middlesex. The building was constructed in 1968. Eaton, Inc. is a manufacturer of hoses and belting for global aerospace customers. The company plans to add 40,000 square feet to its existing facility. The company will create 25 jobs and invest $5,950,974 in the project.
• Town of Ramseur: A $175,000 grant will support the reuse of a 55,000-square-foot building located at 7718 US-64 in Ramseur. The building was constructed in 1987 and has been vacant for one year. Earth Retention Industries, Inc. is a civil engineering firm that provides geostructural solutions in 44 states. The company will create 21 jobs and invest $2,537,000 in the project.
• Rowan County: A $500,000 grant will support the new construction of a 30,000-square-foot building to be located at 1230 Long Ferry Road in Salisbury. Complete Well-Care Source, LLC is a behavioral health organization that provides mental and home health services across the state of North Carolina. This project will provide not only a new clinical space, but also a headquarters for the five facilities across the state. The company will create 125 jobs and invest $14,495,782 in the project.
• Town of Zebulon: A $300,000 grant will support the reuse of a 105,897-square-foot building located at 501 Mack Todd Rd in Zebulon. The building was constructed in 1969 and has been vacant for 36 months. TNT 3D Construction, LLC is an advanced 3D concrete printing and sustainable building solutions company. The company has 20 years of experience in traditional building models and now plans to add innovation and automation to their existing model to deliver faster, more cost-effective housing while reducing the environmental impacts. The company will create 36 jobs and invest $720,588 in the project.
• Wayne County: A $200,000 grant will support the expansion of a building located at 439 NC Hwy 55 E in Mount Olive. The building was constructed in 2004. Goshen Engineering, Inc. is an industrial automation company that designs, builds, and installs engineering solutions in a variety of industrial and commercial sectors, including food productions, automotive, and electronics sectors. The company plans to add 10,000 square feet to its existing facility. The company will create 25 jobs and invest $794,501 in the project.
• Wayne County: A $95,000 grant will support the renovation of a 121,173-square-foot building located at 405 Gateway Dr. in Goldsboro. The building was constructed in 2001. Scout Limited, Inc is a wholesale and distribution company that is acquiring a Georgia based candle manufacturer which will relocate to Goldsboro to the company’s headquarters. The company will create 13 jobs and invest $320,000 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.