The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority announced on April 21 that it approved 15 grant requests to local governments totaling $3,840,156.
The requests include commitments to create a total of 649 jobs. The public investment of these jobs will attract more than $351 million in private investment.
“These Rural Infrastructure grants attract new, innovative businesses, allow existing business to expand, support health care, and bolster water and sewer service in our rural communities,” Governor Cooper said. “All of these investments are key ingredients in creating and sustaining a strong, resilient economy.”
The RIA approved 13 of these grants under the state’s building reuse program in three categories: vacant buildings, existing business buildings, and rural health.
Under the rural health category, the City of Fayetteville will receive a $300,000 grant that will support the reuse of a 9,500-square-foot building.
The building will serve as another location for ChenMed, LLC.
The project is expected to create 30 jobs with an investment of $1,182,500 by the company.

Other requests approved by the RIA will go to the community
development block grant/economic development program and the state’s industrial development fund/utility account program.
For additional information, visit the NC Commerce’s Rural Economic Division website.