North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Pat Mitchell announced February 19 that the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 15 grants or loans totaling more than $5 million with the commitment of 491 new jobs.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loan:
- The City of Raeford (Hoke County): $1,000,000 to support the construction of a new belt press facility. This infrastructure will enable the city to accommodate the projected wastewater discharge requirements for Butterball.
Economic Infrastructure Program grant approved:
- Davidson County: $162,000 to extend sewer to Frenzelit, North America to support expansion of its operations. The company has committed to create 13 new, full-time jobs.
The Industrial Development Fund Utility Account grants approved include:
- Alexander County: $200,000 to install approximately one mile of natural gas pipeline. The line will serve a new office addition for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The company has committed to create 20 new, full-time jobs over the next two years.
- Town of Mocksville (Davie County): $450,000 to assist with industrial access that would connect two existing industrial parks. The proposed improvements would open up 85 acres for future development.
Building Reuse Program grants/loans approved:
- Alexander County: $500,000 to support the reuse of a 150,000 sq. ft. building located in Taylorsville. Huntington House Furniture will locate in the building and has committed to create 40 new, full-time jobs.
- Bladen County: $250,000 to support the reuse of a 49,000 sq. ft. building located in Bladenboro. Carol Poultry, LLC plans to bring its entire processing in-house for the first time and has committed to create 50 new, full-time jobs.
- The Town of Hudson (Caldwell County): $125,000 to support the reuse of a 102,600 sq. ft. space in Hudson. Associated Hardwoods, Inc. will relocate their operations to Hudson and create 10 new, full-time jobs.
- The City of Claremont (Catawba County): $240,000 to support the expansion of a 1.2M square foot building in Claremont. Prysmian Cables and Systems USA, LLC, is a manufacturer of fiber optical telecommunications products and has committed to create 24 new, full-time jobs.
- The City of Raeford (Hoke County): $500,000 to support the reuse of a 216,130 sq. ft. building. Butterball will utilize the building to expand the company’s ground turkey, raw roast and tray pack business.
- The City of Thomasville (Davidson County): $170,000 to support the reuse of a 20,000 sq. ft. space in Thomasville, where Wildcat Territory will relocate to create 17 new, full-time jobs.
- The Town of Youngsville (Franklin County): $15,000 to support the reuse of a 1,500 sq. ft. building in Youngsville, where Youngsville Animal Hospital will create 3 new, full-time jobs.
- Graham County: $500,000 to support the reuse of a 571,869 sq. ft. building in Robbinsville. Oak Valley Hardwoods has committed to create 40 new, full-time jobs.
- Martin County: $500,000 to support the expansion of a 209,836 sq. ft. building in Robersonville, where Ann’s House of Nuts, Inc. will create 50 new, full-time jobs.
- Martin County: $250,000 to support the expansion of a 77,798 sq. ft. building in Everetts. Syfan Manufacturing, Inc. will utilize the space and has committed to create 25 new, full-time jobs.
- Randolph County: $180,000 to support the reuse of a 39,100 sq. ft. building in High Point. Vault, LLC will locate in the building to increase production space and accommodate growing demand. Vault, LLC has committed to create 15 new, full-time jobs.
The RIA was established as part of the Rural Economic Development Division at the N.C. Department of Commerce to assist with the review and approval of grants for rural areas in the state. The grants-making programs of the division include assistance for building reuse and well as infrastructure, including water and sewer.