Rural Communities Receive State Grants Attracting 73 New Jobs and More than $32 Million in Private Investment

Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved seven grant requests totaling $1,296,030, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 153 jobs, 80 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract just over $32.7 million in private investment.

“Economic development in rural North Carolina can only succeed with strategic investments in infrastructure,” said Secretary Copeland. “By awarding these new grants, the Rural Infrastructure Authority continues to support job creation in communities across our state.”

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s team of rural economic development professionals supports the Authority’s work. Authority 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 Deputy Secretary for Rural Economic Development and Workforce Solutions Napoleon Wallace and 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.

“The projects approved today will support business expansion and prepare sites for future growth, resulting in more job opportunities for rural North Carolinians,” said Assistant Secretary Flowers. “The Rural Economic Development Division at Commerce and the Rural Infrastructure Authority board work closely with our rural communities to help them attract jobs and investment.”

Lee County

• City of Sanford (Lee County): A $500,000 grant will support the renovation of a 145,410-square-foot vacant building in Sanford. Caterpillar, a manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial turbines and diesel-electric locomotives, plans to use the facility to expand its skid steer loader manufacturing capacity. The company will create 40 jobs and invest $15 million in the project.

Read the full press release here.