The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved 16 grant requests to local governments totaling nearly $4 million, including projects in the Charlotte Region, Governor Roy Cooper announced. The grants include commitments to create 472 jobs.
Of the 472 expected jobs, 137 were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $67 million in private investment.
“With the help of these grants, we are able to attract new jobs to rural communities across the state,” Cooper said. “These investments generate more economic opportunity, renovated buildings, enhanced access to healthcare and fortified water and sewer service, all of which improve the lives and livelihoods of rural residents.”
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. Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.
The RIA approved 13 grant requests under the state’s Building Reuse Program in three categories. Here are the ones earmarked for projects in the Charlotte Region:
- City of Newton (Catawba County): A $70,000 grant will support the renovation of a 100,000-square-foot building in Conover. The building is occupied by Pregis PolyMask, a manufacturer and provider of innovative packaging and protective products utilized in the housing and consumer marketplace. This project is expected to create 10 jobs, with an investment of more than $1.4 million by the company.
- Gaston County: A $250,000 grant will support a 12,500-square-foot expansion of a building in Belmont. The building is occupied by DePalo Foods, a company that manufactures Italian food for the retail sector. Their products include pizza dough, strombolis, and calzones. The project is expected to create 40 jobs, with an investment of more than $2 million by the company.
For a full list of the new projects underway, click here.
