More than $7 million in economic development grants benefiting 15 North Carolina counties have been awarded by the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC). The grants will support job creation and retention, investments in critical infrastructure that fuel economic growth and strengthened workforce development pipelines through targeted training and education. 

Funds are awarded under the FY2025 State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) program, which supports projects aligned with priorities in SCRC’s authorizing statute, its Five-Year Strategic Plan and North Carolina’s SCRC Economic and Infrastructure Development Plan. 

“These investments help communities tackle the challenges that hold back growth and opportunity,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley in a press release. “From strengthening essential infrastructure to expanding workforce training, each project reflects what local leaders tell us they need most. We’re proud to support this work and help position these communities for long-term success.”

SCRC projects awarded within GFBJ’s coverage area include: 

• Hoke County will receive $310,640 in SCRC funding to extend new waterlines to a county-owned industrial site within the Hoke County Regional Industrial Park. Project activities include installing 266 linear feet of waterline to support a $95 million expansion of Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, LLC, resulting in the creation of 217 jobs. 
• Robeson County will receive $500,000 in SCRC funds for site work on the Robeson County Shell Building Project that will create a shovel-ready industrial facility as phase two of a three-phase initiative. This facility will attract employers, generate sustainable jobs and strengthen advanced manufacturing opportunities. 
• The Sampson Community College Foundation (Sampson County) will receive $500,000 in SCRC funding to build workforce capacity with the construction of a new Health Sciences Building that will expand nursing, allied health and EMS training. 
• The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland counties) will receive $410,739 in SCRC funds to establish a Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program that will serve six distressed counties in southeastern North Carolina, including the Lumbee Tribe community. 

North Carolina projects received $7.2 million in SEID funding, with the 15 grants overwhelmingly serving SCRC-designated distressed counties.