North Carolina invests $9.6M in rural growth, creating 785 jobs

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is putting money into its small towns and rural areas to create jobs and help local businesses grow. Governor Josh Stein announced the state is giving out $9.6 million in grants to help rural communities.

The money comes from several state programs designed to help rural areas grow their economies. These include grants to fix up old buildings, improve water and sewer systems and revitalize downtown areas.

These projects are expected to create 785 new jobs and bring in over $165 million in additional investments from both public and private sources.

“North Carolina’s success is rooted in our rural communities,” said Gov. Stein. “When we look for and create opportunities in every corner of North Carolina, we are creating more jobs, more investments and more economic prosperity.”

• In Edenton, a vacant building will become a training center for IT workers, creating 61 new jobs
• In Chadbourn, a fence supply company, plans to move into an empty building, bringing 91 new jobs
• In Whiteville, another IT training center is expected to open, adding 60 new jobs

• Troy will fix up its Main Street with better sidewalks and lighting
• Goldsboro will restore its historic Union Station
• Wilson will create a new visitor center
• Watauga County will renovate its public library

• Mocksville is expected to welcome its first IKEA furniture supplier, creating 250 jobs
• The Navy will build an aircraft repair center in Lenoir County, adding 311 jobs
• A new cold storage facility in Lumberton will create 63 new jobs

The grants are managed by the Rural Infrastructure Authority, a group that helps decide how to invest in North Carolina’s rural communities. They work with local governments to choose projects that will create the most benefit for their areas.

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