Governor Stein Announces $43 Million of Investment and 206 New Jobs for Rural North Carolina

Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved 12 grant requests totaling nearly $5.9 million to support infrastructure and economic development projects in rural communities across the state.

The grants are expected to help create 277 jobs, including 71 previously announced positions, and leverage more than $43 million in additional public and private investment.

“When rural North Carolina wins, all of North Carolina wins,” Stein said. “These grants are strengthening infrastructure, increasing rural economic competitiveness, and giving more people the opportunity to have a great job close to home.”

Seven of the approved grants fall under the state’s Building Reuse Program, supporting renovations, expansions, and reuse of existing buildings in Craven, Cumberland, Forsyth, Halifax, Buncombe, Edgecombe, and Surry counties. Projects range from manufacturing and medical products to real estate services and utilities, collectively accounting for hundreds of thousands of square feet of renovated or expanded space and more than 280 new jobs.

Two additional grants were approved through the Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account, funding sewer, road, and water infrastructure improvements in Nash County and the Town of North Wilkesboro to support future industrial growth.

The authority also approved three Rural Downtown Economic Development grants for public infrastructure projects in the City of Washington, the Town of Longview, and the Town of Edenton. Those projects include streetscape upgrades, sidewalk and ADA improvements, and downtown lighting enhancements aimed at revitalizing local business districts.

The Rural Infrastructure Authority is supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and oversees multiple grant and loan programs focused on strengthening rural economies, improving infrastructure, and expanding job opportunities statewide.