North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 12 grant requests for local governments totaling $5,876,853. The grants include commitments to creating a total of 277 jobs, 71 of which were previously announced. As a result of these grants, the additional investment in these projects, from private and public sources, is expected to reach more than $43 million.
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 the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Rural Economic Division, which is led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight.
“Investing in our rural communities is more than infrastructure; it's providing opportunity,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley in a press release. “Companies are looking for great places to work, live and play, and with commercial buildings and industrial sites that are ready to be activated, every corner of the state becomes the best place to do business.”
Within the greater Fayetteville area, an $80,000 grant will support the reuse of a 21,000-square-foot building in Fayetteville. Benjamin Stout Real Estate Service is expected to create 10 jobs, with an investment of $757,313.
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.
