Rural Center announces $4 million in grants; in WNC, AdvantageWest and efforts in McDowell County attract funding
Press release from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, shared March 5:
RALEIGH — The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center announces $4 million in grants to create jobs, provide clean water and assist with economic development in rural counties. The 31 grants will create 451 jobs and assist projects benefiting more than 30 counties.
The grants were approved by the center’s board of directors Feb. 27 and made possible by appropriations of the N.C. General Assembly and state Clean Water Bonds.
JOB CREATION
Economic infrastructure grants enable new business locations or expansions through water and sewer improvements, broadband expansion, natural gas line extensions, construction of access roads and other infrastructure improvements. Building reuse grants prepare vacant buildings for use by job-generating businesses and support the expansion and renovation of certain types of occupied buildings if that work leads to new, permanent jobs.
Economic infrastructure
City of Clinton, $650,000 for water and sewer system improvements for an expanding biofuels company. The project will create 65 jobs in the Sampson County city
McDowell County, $130,000 for water system improvements for a solar energy company. The project will create 13 jobs.
Town of Mocksville, $32,600 for rail improvements for a packaging company in the Davie County town. This amount is in addition to a $327,320 award announced in November 2011. The additional award will create another six jobs, bringing the total number of jobs created to 72
Town of North Wilkesboro, $229,000 for sewer system improvements for a window and door company. The project will create 23 jobs in the Wilkes County town.
Town of Norwood, $55,000 for water system improvements for a sandblasting and powder-coating company. The project will create six jobs in the Stanly County town.
Town of Selma, $20,000 for water system improvements for a new restaurant. The project will create two jobs in the Johnston County town.
Town of Warsaw, $30,000 for water and sewer system improvements for a new restaurant. The project will create three jobs in the Duplin County town.
Wilson County, $160,000 for construction of a rail spur for a wood products company. The project will create 32 jobs.
Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority, $830,000 for sewer system improvements for a glass company. The project will create 83 jobs in Surry County.
Building reuse
Town of Aberdeen, $175,000 to renovate a building used by a packaging company. The project, which will allow the company to expand its operations, will create 35 jobs in the Moore County town.
City of Greenville, $250,000 to renovate a building used by a telecommunications company. The renovation will allow the company to expand its operations. The project will create 50 jobs in the Pitt County city.
Halifax County, $60,000 to renovate a vacant building for use by a lumber manufacturer. The project will create six jobs.
Town of Hildebran, $40,000 to renovate a vacant building for use by a foam and fiber fabrication company. The project will create four jobs in the Burke County town.
Town of Mocksville, $480,000 to renovate a vacant building for use by a plastics company. The project will create 48 jobs in the Davie County town.
Rockingham County, $24,832 to renovate a vacant building for use by a distiller. This amount is in addition to a $50,000 award announced in February 2012. The additional award will create another five jobs, bringing the total number of jobs created to 10.
Rockingham County, $125,000 to renovate a building used by a furniture manufacturer, which will expand its operations. The project will create 25 jobs.
Surry County, $25,000 to renovate a vacant building for use by a company that will operate a restaurant, catering and retail business. The project will create five jobs.
Town of Wallace, $60,000 to renovate a vacant building for use by a vehicle parts company. The project will create six jobs in the Duplin County town.
Wayne County, $340,000 to renovate a vacant building for use by a processor of animal feed products. The project will create 34 jobs.
CLEAN WATER
These grants seek to ensure a clean, abundant supply of drinking water and the safe treatment and disposal of wastewater. The grants also help rural governments plan for water and sewer improvements.
City of Eden, $30,000 to prepare a plan to eliminate sewer overflows in the Rockingham County city.
Town of Elkin, $30,000 to develop a model to identify deficiencies in the water system of the Surry County town.
Town of Fremont, $7,045 to assist with improvements to a wastewater lagoon in the Wayne County town. This is in addition to $8,137 that was previously awarded the project.
Moore County, $41,563 to extend water lines to a neighborhood with problem wells.
Mount Gilead, $153,495 to repair a wastewater pump station that serves the Montgomery County town.
Town of Old Fort, $25,000 to develop plans for improving the water and sewer systems in the McDowell County town.
Town of Rhodkiss, $15,000 to develop improvement plans for the water and sewer systems in the Burke County town.
Town of Wadesboro, $18,638 to map and devise an asset management plan for the water system in the Anson County town.
Town of Williamston, $30,000 to update the water system master plan and develop an asset management plan for the sewer system in the Martin County town.
RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION
This grant program supports innovative research and demonstration projects that address rural economic development issues.
AdvantageWest Regional Economic Development Group, $37,000 to evaluate the group’s Certified Entrepreneurial Communities program for its potential to support entrepreneurship development in other North Carolina communities.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
This program funds worthy projects that might otherwise be outside the timeline or geographic area of a specific grant program.
The N.C. Dental Society, $100,000 to assist in providing free dental services in rural areas of the state. Washington County, $7,500 to assist the Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology and Agrisciences in planning for the water and sewer improvements needed for its future expansion.
The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. The center operates a multifaceted program that includes conducting research into rural issues; testing promising rural development strategies; advocating for policy and program innovations; and building the productive capacity of rural leaders, entrepreneurs and community organizations.
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