The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved four grants totaling $1,872,019 to support projects in rural communities across the state. The funding is expected to help create 170 jobs and draw more than $74.5 million in private investment.
Governor Josh Stein commented on the announcement, stating, “North Carolina’s rural communities are essential to our state’s economy and culture. These rural infrastructure grants are a strategic investment in facilities, public services, and accessible health care that will lead to growth and opportunity in small towns across our state.”
The RIA operates with support from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s rural economic development team. The authority reviews requests for funding from local governments and distributes resources through specialized grant and loan programs managed by the department’s Rural Economic Development Division. These grants target infrastructure projects such as building renovation, expansion, demolition, and site improvements.
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley emphasized the importance of supporting rural areas: “When we help cultivate the conditions for economic prosperity in rural North Carolina, our whole state benefits. We are America’s top state for business in part because of the strong partnerships we have with our rural counties and municipalities, which use RIA grants as tools to support the creation of good jobs.”
Three grants were awarded under the Building Reuse Program:
– In Anson County, a $500,000 grant will help Halal Meat Slaughter House, Inc., a family-owned meat processing company, move into a 28,441-square-foot facility in Ansonville. The project is expected to generate 61 jobs and $4.47 million in private investment.
– Gaston County will receive a $500,000 grant for Healsee Capsules, Inc., which plans to establish its second U.S. location at a 175,239-square-foot site in Bessemer City. This initiative is projected to create 95 jobs with an investment of $69.5 million.
– Alexander County was awarded $175,000 for Urgent Care of Mountain View, LLC to relocate into a former hospital building in Taylorsville. The expanded facility will provide walk-in care services and is expected to add 14 jobs with an investment of $551,143.
The Building Reuse Program offers grants aimed at renovating vacant buildings or expanding existing facilities within Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties as well as designated rural areas within Tier 3 counties.
One additional grant was approved under the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program:
– Burke County will use a $697,019 grant to install over 2,500 feet of natural gas pipeline at Burke Business Park—an industrial park established in 2005—to support future job creation.
This fund provides infrastructure assistance specifically for economically distressed counties classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2. It is financed partly through allocations from Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) awards when companies locate or expand operations within eligible counties.
The N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority also develops policies for these programs and consists of 17 voting members appointed by state officials including the Governor. At its recent meeting William “Bill” Webb from Richmond County was elected chairman; Joe Sam Queen of Haywood County will serve as vice-chair.
For further details about these initiatives or other available programs supporting rural economic development efforts statewide visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage.
