The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority will be allocating more than $5 million in funds to local governments after approving grant requests aimed at creating jobs and attracting private investments. 

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina recently published a report detailing the 17 counties across North Carolina that had their requests for grants approved. In total, $5,710,255 in funding were granted to local governments. 

Robeson County was one of the 17 counties to benefit from this funding. EDPNC explained in their article that a $250,000 grant will support the reuse of a vacant 90,000-square-foot building in Lumberton. BIOPHIL Natural Fibers, LLC, is a grower and processor of hemp stalk, which produces hurd and fiber as a sustainable alternative to woven and nonwoven textile materials. Overall, the company is expected to create 41 new jobs and $10.9 million in private investment, with 38 jobs and an investment of $4,333,150 tied to this grant.

This grant is part of the Building Reuse Program which, EDPNC explains, 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.

According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce website the Rural Infrastructure Authority is a 17-member board that awards Rural, Community Development Block Grant and Utility grant funds.  

EDPNC noted that in addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development team.