Governor Josh Stein announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved four grants totaling $1,872,019 for local governments in North Carolina. These grants are expected to create 170 jobs and bring more than $74.5 million in private investment.
“North Carolina’s rural communities are essential to our state’s economy and culture,” said Governor Josh Stein. “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 is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Members of the authority review and approve funding requests from local communities, with funding provided through specialized grant and loan programs managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division.
“When we help cultivate the conditions for economic prosperity in rural North Carolina, our whole state benefits,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “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 of the approved grants fall under the state’s Building Reuse Program:
In Anson County, a $500,000 grant will help Halal Meat Slaughter House, Inc., a family-owned meat processing company, relocate to a 28,441-square-foot building in Ansonville. The project is expected to create 61 jobs with an investment of $4,465,631.
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 building in Bessemer City. The company expects to create 95 jobs while investing $69.5 million.
Alexander County was awarded a $175,000 grant for Urgent Care of Mountain View, LLC’s move into a larger facility in Taylorsville. This health care provider offers immediate walk-in care as well as routine services such as COVID-19 testing and occupational medicine. Fourteen jobs are anticipated from this project with an investment of $551,143.
The Building Reuse Program aims to support renovation or expansion projects that result in new job creation within designated counties or census tracts.
Additionally, Burke County received a $697,019 grant under the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account program. The funds will be used to add over 2,500 feet of natural gas pipeline serving Burke Business Park—an industrial park established in 2005.
The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account supports infrastructure projects intended to foster job creation within economically distressed counties classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2 by North Carolina’s tier system.
The RIA also formulates policies for these programs and consists of 17 voting members appointed by state officials; the Secretary of Commerce serves ex officio on the authority.
At this meeting William “Bill” Webb from Richmond County was elected chairman; Joe Sam Queen from Haywood County will serve as vice-chair.
More information about these initiatives can be found on the Rural Economic Development Division webpage (https://www.commerce.nc.gov/about-us/divisions-programs/rural-economic-development-division).
