On December 17, the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 15 grant requests totaling $3,039,244. The requests include commitments to create a total of 219 new jobs.
Building Reuse Program grants/loans approved:
- Town of Nags Head (Dare County): A $500,000 grant to support the reuse of a building by Peak Resources – Outer Banks, a family-owned nursing home operator that plans to create 50 new jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,624,829.
- Town of Lillington (Harnett County): A $148,868 grant to support the renovation of a building that will facilitate a 15-job expansion at Saab Barracuda. The company designs and manufactures ultra-light camouflage net systems for the U.S. military. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $297,736.
- Town of Valdese (Burke County): A $30,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building for use by Old World Baking Company. The building was constructed in 1929 and has been vacant for two years. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $341,255.
- Town of Granite Falls (Caldwell County): A $137,500 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building that will facilitate an 11-job expansion by Ccon Metals. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $290,000.
- City of Conover (Catawba County): A $40,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building that will facilitate an eight-job expansion by West Penn Hardwoods. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,050,700.
- Granville County: A $175,500 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Creedmoor that will facilitate an 18-job expansion by Builder Services, a comprehensive restoration service company. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,055,657.
- Halifax County: A $450,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Enfield for use by Enfield Timber. The company, which will produce hardwood crane mats and untreated railroad ties, will create 36 jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $4,970,722.
- City of Marion (McDowell County): A $40,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building that will facilitate a four-job expansion by Auto Tech Collision. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $83,925.
- Stanly County: A $500,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Richfield that will facilitate a 40-job expansion by Piedmont Custom Meats. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $2,475,000.
- Vance County: A $100,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Henderson that will facilitate a 20-job expansion of Profilform US, Inc. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,810,000.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/loan approved:
- City of Marion (McDowell County): A $500,000 grant to demolish and clear structural components of six industrial buildings constructed in 1918. The project readies the 15-acre site for participation in the Redevelopment Now Brownfield program, which will enable the City to assume ownership upon donation of the property by its previous owner. The property, which is accessible to I-40 and Norfolk-Southern rail, will ultimately be marketed for use by distribution and light industrial operations.
Economic Infrastructure Projects approved:
- Town of Elizabethtown (Bladen County): A $70,000 grant to assist with the 135-foot extension of a six-inch water line that will support a 14-job expansion by Taylor Products, Inc., d/b/a D’Vine Foods. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,873,500.
The Industrial Development Fund Utility Account grants approved include:
- Alexander County: A $152,000 grant adding to a previous award that is assisting with the installation of a one-mile natural gas pipeline that will serve Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The company employs 471 workers at the project location and 526 countywide. The additional funds are needed to offset unanticipated costs incurred by the county.
- City of Claremont (Catawba County): A grant of $120,975 to assist in improvements to a sewer system that will serve the long-term growth needs of Substance, Inc. The project also opens development and job-creation opportunities for the 22-acre industrial site that Substance, Inc., anchors. The company is investing $4 million in overall improvements to the property.
- City of Henderson (Vance County): A $74,401 grant that adds to an existing award to help extend city water service to a vacant industrial property. Engineering studies revealed challenges that will require additional funding to address. Lack of adequate water service has hampered the city’s efforts to attract an industrial tenant to the property.