Governor Roy Cooper recently announced that 29 local governments in rural areas across the state have been awarded grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund, five of these 29 are located within GFBJ’s seven county coverage area.
A total of $8 million will be issued in this third round of grantmaking from the Fund, which helps local governments overcome challenges that limit their economic competitiveness. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and its Rural Economic Development Division administers the fund.
“These transformative grants can make a real difference in rural communities by reviving downtowns and strengthening neighborhoods,” said Governor Roy Cooper in a press release. “These funds, with the support of our rural development team at the Department of Commerce, will bring more economic opportunity to people across the state.”
Local governments throughout GFBJ’s coverage area that were awarded project grants in this third round include:
City of Clinton: $350,000
Town of Cameron: $400,000
Town of Elizabethtown: $150,000
Town of Carthage: $49,999
Town of Vass: $49,999
A list of all the awarded projects along with brief descriptions of each can be found at the Commerce website: https://www.commerce.nc.gov/guidelines-project-descriptions-round-3-rural-transformation-grants/open.
The My Future So Bright Program is seeking businesses to participate in this year’s summer cohorts. Small businesses in all industries are encouraged to participate. Photos provided by Mid-Carolina Regional Council.The My Future So Bright Summer Job
Fort Bragg Thrift Store Manager, Anna Prospero, and Thrift Store Floor Supervisor, Clea Frazier, pose with Fort Bragg ASYMCA Executive Director, Jeremy Hester and the thrift store staff. Photos by Jason Ragucci, Fort Bragg Garrison Public Affairs Off
Happy half year everyone! Believe it or not, we are now in June of 2025, officially halfway through the year. A few nights ago, I was looking over a vision board I had made at the beginning of the year. One of my best friends invited me to a vis