Raleigh – Rep. Michael H. Wray is pleased to announce that three businesses in his district will receive grants from the North Carolina Rural Center that will lead to the creation of 55 jobs.
The three grants total $524,000, with the largest grant going to Severn Peanut Company in Northampton County. The $420,000 grant will help pay to convert the fuel source for the company’s roasting house from propane to natural gas, which is less expensive. The expected energy savings are expected to help the company expand and add 42 new jobs to its operation.
The Rural Center also provided grants for the redevelopment of two buildings to help local businesses get started. A $56,000 grant in downtown Conway will result in seven jobs at the new Corner Tavern & Grill. The Save-A-Lot grocery store will create six jobs in Henderson using a $48,000 grant to renovate a former grocery store.
“The Rural Center and the state of North Carolina remain committed to helping build small business in our state,” Rep. Wray said. “I am pleased that some of that growth is going to come to our community.”
Rep. Wray is a small business owner in his third term representing Northampton, Vance and Warren counties. He is chairman of the Insurance Committee and vice chairman of the Wildlife Resources Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources. He is also a member of the Agriculture; Appropriations; Transportation; and Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees.