The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 16 grants or loans on April 23, totaling more than $4.7 million with the commitment of 392 new jobs.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/loans approved include:
- City of Thomasville, Davidson County: $120,000 loan for North American Implements Company to support the reuse of a vacant industrial building. The company will invest $750,000 in the renovation and for new equipment and has committed to creating six new, full-time jobs.
- City of Thomasville, Davidson County: $240,000 loan for Y&Y Hardwood Company to support the reuse of an industrial building vacant for ten years. The company will invest $3 million in renovating and equipping the building, creating 12 new, full-time jobs.
- Town of Denton, Davidson County: $131,250 to construct a pump station and sewer force main to allow Century Hosiery to expand at its current site. Century Hosiery has committed to creating 11 full time jobs at the Denton plant.
- Sampson County: $500,000 to provide public sewer service to a proposed manufacturing plant to be constructed by Kansas City Sausage Company. The company has committed to creating 50 new full time at the new plant.
The Industrial Development Fund Utility Account grants approved include:
- Martin County: $926,675 to assist with improvements to Everetts Industrial Park. The improvements would open five lots for companies to locate and serve as a catalyst for economic development.
Building Reuse Program grants/loans approved:
- Ashe County: $500,000 to support the reuse of a building in Jefferson constructed in 1978 that has been vacant for more than four months. American Emergency Vehicles, a manufacturer of ambulances, will relocate from its current facility in an expansion creating 40 new, full-time jobs.
- City of Morganton, Burke County: $212,500 to support the reuse of a building constructed in 1901. American Hospitality Furnishings is a manufacturer of custom furniture and will locate in the former Drexel Heritage Facility. The company has committed to creating 17 new, full-time jobs.
- The Town of Edenton (Chowan County): $18,020 to support the reuse of a building constructed in 1985 and vacant for 18 months. Albemarle Urgent Care, Inc. is a new company providing urgent treatment for non-life threatening conditions. It has committed to creating two new, full-time jobs.
- Franklin County: $500,000 to support the expansion of a building constructed in 1991 occupied by Palziv North America for the last five years. The company has committed to creating 40 new, full-time jobs.
- Hyde County: $25,000 to support the reuse of a 1988 building vacant for 12 months. The 1718: Ocracoke Brewing Company, a craft brewery, will locate in the building with plans to create five new, full-time jobs.
- Martin County: $220,000 to support the expansion of a building constructed in 1961 and occupied by Penco Products for the last 14 years. The company has committed to creating 22 new, full-time jobs.
- Stanly County: $240,000 to support the reuse of a building in Albemarle constructed in 1980 and vacant for more than four years. Kraftsman, Inc., a manufacturer of landscape and equipment trailers, will locate in the building creating 20 new, full-time jobs.
- Surry County: $80,000 to support the expansion of a building located in Mount Airy and occupied by Johnson Granite, Inc. for the last 11 years. The company has committed to creating eight new, full-time jobs.
Economic Infrastructure Projects approved:
- Cherokee County: $71,678 to allow Peachtree Manor, Inc. to open an eighty (80) bed assisted living facility that will include a Special Care Unit for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The company has committed to creating 49 new, full-time jobs
- Gaston County: $500,000 that will allow Tosaf USA, Inc. to open a facility in Gaston County. The Bessemer City facility will be its first entry into the U.S. market. Tosaf USA has committed to creating 60 new, full-time jobs over a two year period
- Sampson County: $500,000 that will allow Kansas City Sausage Company, LLC, to expand its operations in Sampson County.
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.