Governor Pat McCrory, Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development Dr. Patricia Mitchell announced today that 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.
“Assets like water and sewer systems, natural gas lines and industry-ready buildings remain vital ingredients for prosperity across North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory. “These funds help build the modern economic infrastructure that empowers our less populated communities to create jobs, grow businesses and attract investment.”
The RIA reviews and approves funding requests for grant programs operated by the Rural Economic Development Division at the N.C. Department of Commerce. Grants support infrastructure development, building renovation and site improvements.
The RIA approved a total of 10 grants under the state’s Building Reuse program:
Rural Health Category
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 project renovates the facility and upgrades flooring, HVAC, electrical and paint. The building was constructed in 1981. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,624,829.
Existing Business Building Category
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 project renovates and improves roofing, HVAC and lighting for the building, which was constructed in 1975. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $297,736.
Vacant Building Category
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 company plans to make and sell fresh baked foods and roast coffee, creating three jobs. The project will upgrade plumbing, electrical, ceiling, walls and flooring. 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 company acquires, recycles and re-sells used batteries. The project will renovate and upgrade roofing, lighting, electrical and bathrooms. The building was constructed in 1960 and has been vacant for five years. 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 company is an importer and distributor of exotic woods. The project includes renovations, upgrades and repairs to roofing, electrical and overhead doors. The building was constructed in 1966 and has been vacant for two years. 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 project includes renovation and upgrades to electrical, roofing, plumbing, HVAC and painting. The building was constructed in 1972 and has been vacant for two years. 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 project includes upgrades and repairs to concrete and electrical systems. The building was constructed in 1960 and has been vacant for five years. 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, an automotive paint and body repair shop. The project will include upgrades and renovation to electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems. The building was constructed in 1966 and has been vacant for one year. 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 company provides full-service slaughter, processing and packaging of meat products. The project upgrades plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems. The building was constructed in 1978 and has been vacant for eight months. 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 company is a manufacturer of custom profile wrappings. The project includes renovations and upgrades to HVAC, flooring and lighting systems. The building was constructed in 1999 and has been vacant for one year. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,810,000.
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.
The RIA approved one grant under the state’s Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) program:
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.
The Community Development Block Grant program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program administered in part by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. CDBG’s economic development funds provide grants to local governments in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties 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 one request for funding under the state’s Economic Infrastructure program:
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 company cans and bottles locally-sourced juices and condiments. The company also has a small bakery and automated bottling line. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,873,500.
The Economic Infrastructure Program provides grants to local governments in the 80 most economically distressed counties to assist with infrastructure projects that will lead to job-creation. Water and sewer lines, wastewater treatment plants, natural gas lines, public broadband infrastructure, roadways and rail spurs are examples of infrastructure covered under program guidelines.
The RIA approved three requests under the state’s Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account program.
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, a residential and commercial furniture manufacturer and retailer, 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., a manufacturing of pressure sensitive materials for the outdoor signage market. 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.
The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account provides grants to units of local government of the 80 most distressed counties in the state to assist with job creation. Funds may be used for publicly-owned infrastructure and should be used for projects that are reasonably expected to result in the creation of new jobs. IDF – Utility Account funding is derived from portions of Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG) awarded in Tier 2 and Tier 3 counties.
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