North Carolina: Governor Cooper announces Grants to Rural Communities to attract 446 New Jobs and more than $32 million in private investment
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The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 11 grant requests to local governments totaling $3,702,500, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 486 jobs, 40 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $32 million in private investment.

"Rural Infrastructure grants help speed up recovery across our state," Governor Cooper said. "Stronger, more resilient buildings and water and sewer systems attract good jobs for North Carolinians and greater investment by innovative companies."

The North Carolina Department of Commerce's team of rural economic development professionals supports the RIA's work. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.

"Through these new grants, we will help support the resiliency of North Carolina's rural areas, so that they can attract jobs and build for the future," N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. "Our Rural Economic Development Division and the RIA are proud to continue working with local communities to create the conditions for economic growth."

The RIA approved six grant requests under the state's Building Reuse Program in two categories:

Vacant Building Category

• City of Burlington (Alamance County): A $200,000 grant will support the renovation of a 26,500-square-foot building, where Mongoose, LLC, plans to relocate and combine operations. The company, which designs and manufactures high-end furnishings from recycled textiles and clothing, expects to create 24 jobs and invest $3,747,792 in this project.
• City of Lenoir (Caldwell County): A $500,000 grant will support the reuse of a 74,646-square-foot building, where Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC, plans to establish operations. The company, a pharmaceutical manufacturer of generic and private label products, plans to create 50 jobs while investing $1,350,000 in the project.
• Columbus County: A $200,000 grant will support the reuse of a 200,000-square-foot building in Fair Bluff. At this location, Pipeline Plastics Holdings, a manufacturer of high-performance industrial pipeline systems, plans to establish a new production facility to better serve customers along the East Coast. Through the overall project, the company plans to create 44 jobs and invest $4.6 million, while 40 jobs and a $720,000 investment are tied to this grant.

Existing Business Building Category

• Alexander County: An $80,000 grant will support the renovation of a 25,000-square-foot building in Taylorsville that is occupied by Industrial Timber, Inc., a manufacturer of wood furniture frames. The company plans to expand manufacturing operations through this renovation, while creating 10 jobs and investing $1,434,200.
• Gaston County: A $140,000 grant will support the renovation of a 116,874-square-foot building in Gastonia that is occupied by Metyx USA, Inc. The company, which manufactures textile fabrics for the wind, construction and auto industries, plans to add an additional line to expand operations. This project is set to create 24 jobs, with an investment of $4,655,000 by the company.
• Greene County: A $75,000 grant will support the renovation of a 10,559-square-foot building in Snow Hill that is occupied by Building Envelope Erection Services, Inc. The company, which produces and installs aluminum, glass and other facade components for use in commercial building projects, plans to create 9 jobs and invest $873,825 in the project.

The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties and in rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.

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The RIA approved one request under the state's Rural Demolition grant program:

• Town of Holly Ridge (Onslow County): A $150,000 grant will support the demolition and removal of asphalt taxiways and runways from the Phase II section of the Camp Davis Industrial Park. The Golden LEAF Foundation has awarded funds for stormwater construction, while the Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account has awarded funds for water, sewer and roads for Phase II of the park. This grant is set to attract $50,000 in additional funds for the demolition project, while the overall project will support future job creation and private investments.

The Rural Demolition program provides grants to local governments to support the demolition of a publicly-owned, persistently vacant building to encourage site rehabilitation and site availability for economic development purposes. Eligible applicants are units of local government located in either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, or a rural census tract in a Tier 3 county.

The RIA approved two requests under the state's federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Economic Development program:

• Lincoln County: A $750,000 grant will support the renovation of a vacant building in Lincolnton. At this location, Hodges International, a small business that manufactures apparel and home textiles for retailers, plans to establish operations. This project is expected to create 104 jobs, with an investment of $6.3 million by the company.
• Robeson County: A $1 million grant will support the renovation of a vacant building in Pembroke, where Champion Home Builders plans to locate. The company, a builder of manufactured and modular homes throughout the eastern United States, plans to create 225 jobs and invest $13,240,000 in this project.

The Community Development Block Grant program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program administered in part by N.C. Commerce. CDBG's economic development funds provide grants to local governments for creating and retaining jobs. Project funding is based on the number of jobs to be created and the level of economic distress of applicant communities.

The RIA approved two requests under the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account program:

• City of Shelby (Cleveland County): A $562,500 grant will help the City with the construction and installation of sewer infrastructure at a 62-acre industrial site, which will support activity at a future shell building. The new sewer capacity will give the City additional inventory to help attract employers to the site.
• Town of Holly Ridge (Onslow County): A $45,000 grant will assist the Town with the continuing second phase of development at the 160-acre Camp Davis Industrial Park. This project will include water and sewer infrastructure as well as road access.

The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account provides grants to local governments located in the 80 most economically distressed counties of the state, which are classified as either Tier 1 or Tier 2. Funds may be used for publicly-owned infrastructure projects that are reasonably expected to result in new job creation. The IDF – Utility Account is funded through a process tied to the state's signature Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program. When JDIG-awarded companies choose to locate or expand in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 county, a portion of that JDIG award is channeled into the Utility Account.

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In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development team. Its 17 voting members are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tem. The North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serves as a member of the Authority, ex officio.

For additional information about N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division, visit www.nccommerce.com/rd.

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