Governor McCrory Announces More Than $10.4 Million in Infrastructure Funding Supporting 622 New Jobs Statewide


Governor Pat McCrory announced June 23 that the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 31 grant and loan requests totaling $10,433,899. The requests include commitments to create a total of 622 new jobs.

“Job growth favors communities that have ready-to-go sites, buildings and infrastructure,” said Governor McCrory. “These grants will help provide the assets and amenities companies seek when growing their businesses and creating jobs.”

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

From the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account:

  • Town of Tarboro (Edgecombe County): A $949,750 grant to assist with water, sewer and a 500,000-gallon storage tank at Tarboro Commerce Center. The 185-acre industrial park is being developed by the Town of Tarboro and Edgecombe County.
  • Northampton County: A $568,769 grant to improve sewer service in support of the retention of West Fraser Timber Company. The county is pursuing the funds in partnership with the Town of Seaboard.
  • City of Laurinburg (Scotland County): A grant of $708,000 to assist with providing sewer and industrial access to a new industrial property off Highway 74. The access will open the property up to at least 60 developable acres.

 

The RIA approved eight loans under the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program:

  • Town of Denton (Davidson County): A $750,000 loan to support the reuse of a vacant building by Kaufman Trailers of North Carolina, which is creating 38 new jobs.
  • Town of Denton (Davidson County): A $750,000 loan to support the reuse of a vacant building by Construction Implements Depot Inc., a manufacturer of skid steer and tractor implements whose expansion is creating 38 new jobs.
  • City of Lexington (Davidson County): A $500,000 loan to support the reuse of a vacant building by Westport Bay, a bathroom-cabinetry manufacturer whose expansion is creating 25 new jobs.
  • Town of Belhaven (Beaufort County): A $500,000 loan to support the redevelopment of two vacant downtown buildings for use by Spoon River Art Works and Market. The loan, which supports a total capital investment of $910,000, is a collaborative solution between CDBG and the Downtown Redevelopment Fund of the North Carolina Main Street Center.
  • The Town of Edenton (Chowan County): A $500,000 loan to support the renovation of a 64-room boutique hotel. Hotel Hinton will create 69 jobs. The loan, which supports a total capital investment of $12 million, is also a collaborative solution between CDBG and the Downtown Redevelopment Fund of the North Carolina Main Street Center.
  • Town of Troy (Montgomery County): A $322,830 loan to support the renovation of a vacant building for use as Caroline’s Diner, which is creating four new jobs. The business will help serve the community’s eco-tourism industry. This loan is another collaborative solution between CDBG and the Downtown Redevelopment Fund of the North Carolina Main Street Center.
  • The City of Elizabeth City (Pasquotank County): A $500,000 loan made possible by a CDBG/Main Street collaboration to support the renovation of the vacant New Southern Hotel. The building, which has been unoccupied for the past 30 years, will house a new 50-room hotel that will create 50 new jobs.
  • The City of Wilson (Wilson County): A $500,000 loan to support the renovation of a vacant grocery store for use by Thomas Drug Store and Home Medical Supply. The loan is a collaborative solution between CDBG and the Downtown Redevelopment Fund of the North Carolina Main Street Center.

 

The RIA approved a total of 14 grants under the state’s Building Reuse program:

  • Burke County: A $500,000 grant to support the renovation of four buildings in Hildebran that will facilitate a 50-job expansion at Peds Legware. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $2,939,932.
  • Caldwell County: A $222,450 grant to support the expansion of a building in Granite Falls to support Jordan-Holman Lumber’s 23-job expansion.
  • Town of Denton (Davidson County): A $90,000 grant to support a nine-job expansion by Thermo Products. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $298,348.
  • Rockingham County: A $500,000 grant to expand a building in Reidsville that will house an expansion by Unifi. The manufacturer will be creating 87 new jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $2,701,199.
  • Yadkin County: A $190,000 grant to expand a building in Yadkinville that will house a separate expansion by Unifi. Here the manufacturer will be creating 19 new jobs. This grant is part of a total capital investment of $3,535,000.
  • Bertie County: A $100,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building in Roxobel by Baker’s Southern Traditions. The female-owned peanut processing company will create eight new jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $353,895.
  • Burke County: A $150,000 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building near Morganton by Fonta Flora Brewery. The company will create 12 jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $504,500.
  • City of Lenoir (Caldwell County): A $49,250 grant to support the reuse of a vacant building by Bella Torte Bistro & Bakery. The female-owned full service restaurant and bakery will create 10 jobs.
  • Franklin County: A $125,000 reuse grant for a building in Youngsville that will support a 10-job expansion by Network South. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $806,074.
  • Hyde County: A $50,000 reuse grant for a building in Swan Quarter that will support a five-job expansion by Courthouse Cafe, a full-service restaurant. The building was constructed in 1954 and has been vacant for 13 years.
  • City of Greenville (Pitt County): A $60,000 reuse grant for a building that will support Uptown Brewing Company, a full-production brewery and tap house that is creating 12 jobs. The building was constructed in 1930 and has been vacant for 30 years.
  • Rowan County: A $180,935 reuse grant for a building in Salisbury that will support the 15-job expansion of Aldo Products. The grant supports a total capital investment of $1,511,074.
  • Sampson County: A $180,000 reuse grant for a vacant building in Clinton that will support a 36-job expansion by Farm Fresh Produce Distribution. The grant supports a total capital investment of $3,983,000.
  • Vance County: A $150,000 reuse grant for a vacant building in Henderson that will support a 12-job expansion by Hoyle’s Tire & Axle. The grant supports a total capital investment of $1,235,392.

 

The RIA approved a total of six grants under the state’s Economic Infrastructure program:

  • City of Kings Mountain (Cleveland County): A grant of $297,600 for water and sewer service to support the arrival of A&A Transfer. It is creating 24 new jobs and the grant supports a total capital investment of $3.85 million.
  • Town of Clayton and Johnston County: A $250,000 grant for water service and a $250,000 grant for sewer service in support of Novo Nordisk’s current expansion. The two grants support a total capital investment of $1.23 billion.
  • City of Marion (McDowell County): A $150,000 grant to support the demolition and clean-up of an abandoned industrial building. The project enables local leaders to redevelop and market an amenity-rich 15.3-acre site for new businesses, facilitating job creation. The grant supports a total capital investment of $900,000.
  • Town of Nashville (Nash County): A $292,425 grant for sewer service to support the start-up of Carolina Innovative Food Ingredients. The company is creating 36 new jobs. The grant, which increases a $157,575 infrastructure award made in November 2014, supports a total capital investment of $20.9 million.
  • Town of Rutherfordton (Rutherford County): A grant of $96,890 to support sewer service to Tryon Fairways, LLC – Cleghorn Inn and Restaurant. The grant supports a total capital investment of $9 million.

“The Rural Infrastructure Authority and our Commerce team are dedicated to customizing job-growth solutions around the unique challenges and opportunities faced by communities in every region of our diverse state,” said Commerce Secretary Skvarla. “From upgraded water and sewer service for expanding manufacturers to the renovation of downtown hotels, today’s list of grant awards underscores how the Carolina Comeback is bringing exciting possibilities to less populated towns and counties.”

The RIA was established as part of the Rural Economic Development Division at N.C. Commerce to assist with the review and approval of grants for rural areas in the state. For more information on how your community can benefit from these funds, visit our website at nccommerce.com/rd.