Rural Infrastructure Authority Grants Will Support 152 New Jobs Across NC


Governor Pat McCrory announced on February 18 that grant and loan requests totaling more than $3.7 million have been awarded, the result of action taken by the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA).

The RIA awards include commitments to create a total of 152 new jobs.

“Job creation begins with modern infrastructure,” said Governor McCrory. “By funding utility improvements, access roads and building upgrades, these grants will enable small and mid-sized communities across North Carolina to embrace exciting opportunities for economic prosperity.”

Several categories of grants were used by the RIA to fulfill community requests.

One Economic Infrastructure Project was approved:

  • City of Sanford (Lee County): A $103,615 grant to assist with the extension of a 1,900-linear-foot water line that will support a 20-job expansion by Comfort First Heating & Cooling, Inc.

 

The RIA approved one request using the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account:

  • City of Wilson (Wilson County): A $1,377,759 grant to assist with the extension of wastewater service to serve 670 acres of developable publicly-owned land at the intersection of U.S. Highway 264 Bypass and N.C. Highway 58. The property has the potential to draw $670 million in capital investment.

 

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/loans approved:

  • Davidson County: A $750,000 loan to support the reuse of a vacant building in Lexington by Elite Tube and Fab Company. The company will create 38 new jobs at the facility, which was constructed in the 1940s and has been vacant for the past year.
  • City of Brevard (Transylvania County): A $500,000 loan to support the redevelopment of a vacant department store building on Brevard’s Main Street for use by D.D. Bullwinkel Company. The building was constructed in the 1940s. The loan is part of a collaborative solution funded by CDBG and the Downtown Redevelopment Fund of the North Carolina Main Street program.

 

The RIA approved a total of five grants under the state’s Building Reuse program:

  • Caldwell County: A $411,375 grant to support the renovation of a building in Lenoir that will facilitate a 42-job expansion at Bakers Waste Equipment. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $822,750.
  • Martin County: A $150,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Williamston by Metcore Industrial Solutions. The company, a manufacturer of high-precision sheet metal components and assemblies for use in agriculture and other industries, will create 12 jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $881,000, bringing back to productive use a building that has been vacant for nearly three years.
  • Pitt County: A $125,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Greenville that will facilitate a 10-job expansion by Metallix Refining. The building has been vacant for two years. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $950,000.
  • Randolph County: A $220,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Archdale that will facilitate a 22-job expansion by Ace Avant Concrete Construction. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,546,755.
  • Town of Columbia (Tyrrell County): A $100,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building by Stiletto Manufacturing. The building was constructed in 2003 and has been vacant for seven years. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,126,497.