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Rural Infrastructure Authority approves over $2M in grant funding to spark economic development in Hoke and Robeson Counties

By Staff Report, posted Feb 21, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

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The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 13 grant requests to local governments totaling $9,627,500. The grants include commitments creating a total of 371 new jobs and attracting over $165 million of investment. 

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. 

“Our economic competitiveness is greatest when all of North Carolina benefits,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley in a press release. “This funding will help rural communities be more resilient and better prepared as they compete for economic development opportunities.” 

Two grants were awarded within GFBJ’s coverage area. 

Hoke County: A $1,400,000 grant will help extend sewer infrastructure at the Hoke County Regional Industrial Park that will be developed by Pennsylvania Transformer Technology LLC. The company is expected to create 181 jobs, with an accompanying private investment of $95,168,572 tied to this grant. 

City of Lumberton (Robeson County): A $825,000 grant will allow the City to relocate electrical circuits in the Southeast Crossroad Industrial Park, where Cold-Link Logistics will build a cold storage facility. For this project, 63 jobs and an investment of $10,000,000 are tied to this grant. 

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. 

Visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage for more information. 

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