The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved eight grant requests to local governments totaling $1,650,000. The requests include commitments to create a total of 297 jobs, 56 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $234 million in public and private investment. 

“These grants continue to help create great jobs in our rural communities,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a press release. “We are building a strong foundation upon which North Carolina’s rural economy can thrive.”

The RIA is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition and site improvements.

“We are proud to partner with North Carolina communities to make these investments, which support a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to health services,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders in a press release. “This ongoing work is a fitting tribute to the late Andrea Harris, a former RIA member, whom we remember during the observance of Leaders in Equitable Economic Development Month, for her work to promote rural prosperity and diverse businesses.”

The RIA approved eight grant requests under the state’s Building Reuse Program. Within GFBJ’s coverage area, three grant requests were approved.

• Town of Aberdeen (Moore County): A $160,000 grant will support the renovation of a 35,000-square-foot building in Aberdeen that is occupied by Reliance Packaging, LLC, a company that extrudes, prints, and converts heavy-duty bags and printed roll-stock primarily for lawn and garden products. This project is set to create 32 jobs, with an accompanying private investment of $7,459,891.
• Robeson County: A $500,000 grant will support the 10,000-square-foot expansion of a building in Maxton that is currently occupied by Campbell Soup Company. The expansion will create 124 jobs, with an accompanying private investment of $181,750,000.
• Robeson County: An $80,000 grant will support the reuse of a 3,605-square-foot building in Rowland. The building will be occupied by Hope Health Family Practice, LLC, a business offering a wide range of services including primary care, prevention & wellness, and mental health therapy. The company plans to create 9 jobs and invest $460,000 with this project.

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 health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, as well as rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.

Visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage for more information.