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NC RIA announced new grant recipients

May 05, 2024 05:04PM ● By WNC Business
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority  has approved 31 grant requests to local governments totaling $10,982,835, Governor Roy Cooper announced. The requests include commitments to create a total of 565 jobs, 135 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $211 million in public and private investment.

The RIA is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. 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, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.

Grants for the WNC region include: 

Public Infrastructure Category
  • City of Morganton (Burke County): An $850,000 grant will assist the City of Morganton in making renovations to the North Green Street Streetscape. The renovations will upgrade existing utilities, including water, sanitary sewer, electric, fiber, cable and telephone. The grant will also aid in the placement of utilities underground. The project is expected to leverage an investment of $2,357,463.
  • City of Lenoir (Caldwell County): A $325,000 grant will support a 6-acre campus in Lenoir, including the renovation of the LHS Gymnasium and Auditorium for improved accessibility, and the construction of a 4,300-square-foot covered outdoor pavilion as a part of the expansion of the Overmountain Victory Trail. The project is set to leverage $3,497,078 in investments.
  • City of Newton (Catawba County): A $475,000 grant will assist the City of Newton in its Downtown Revitalization Streetscape Project. The project will entail pedestrian improvements, lighting, underground utilities, water and sewer line upgrades, bike lanes and on-street parking. The project is expected to leverage $8,419,049 in investments.
  • Town of Murphy (Cherokee County): A $250,000 grant will support Murphy’s Town Square Revitalization Project, including a brick paver design on all four corners of the town square, pedestrian improvements, and the installation of lighting, a small stage and water lines. The project is anticipated to leverage $1,031,864 in investments.
  • Town of Old Fort (McDowell County): An $850,000 grant will support Phase 1 of the Town of Old Fort's Downtown Streetscape project. Phase 1, North Catawba Avenue, is a two-block improvement plan aimed to improve ADA accessibility and connectivity from downtown to the Fonta Flora State Trail and the Pisgah National Forest located nearby. The project will leverage $914,935 in investments.
Public Buildings Category
  • Town of Hildebran (Burke County): A $62,500 grant will support the Town of Hildebran’s Auditorium Renovations Project. The project will improve ADA accessibility and enhance the usability of the existing auditorium by creating a concessions/ticketing area, expanding the backstage area to include changing rooms, restrooms, storage space, and a green room. The project is expected to leverage $901,555 in investments.
  • Town of Valdese (Burke County): A $487,500 grant will assist Valdese in renovating the Old Rock School, improving ADA accessibility, safety and functionality, and increasing the building’s energy efficiency. The project is expected leverage $1,284,014 in investments.
The Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants program provides grants to local governments to support downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives that are intended to help local governments grow and leverage downtown districts as assets for economic growth, economic development, and prosperity by providing public improvements to help retain businesses and leverage main street assets for community-wide use.

In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development team. Its 17 voting members are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem. The North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serves as a member of the authority, ex officio.

Visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage for more information.

Source: NC Department of Commerce

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