North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein has heralded a new era of financial support for the state's rural communities, injecting a substantial $52 million towards their development. Announced recently, the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved a package of nine grant requests with the intention of stirring economic growth in these areas. The RIA, with vital backing from the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division, focuses on a variety of key projects, ranging from infrastructure advancements to building renovations, as reported by an announcement on the Office of the Governor's official website.
Amidst the approved grants, the Building Reuse Program takes center stage, promising the revitalization of vacant buildings and the expansion of existing businesses. Joyalways Corporation in Rockingham County, for instance, anticipates the creation of 44 new jobs as it refurbishes a large, vacant facility with the aid of a $500,000 grant. “The latest rural infrastructure grants strengthen these communities even more by helping to create jobs, access to health care, and strengthen downtowns,” Governor Stein mentioned in the statement from his office.
In addition to the boost in the manufacturing sphere, health facilities are also poised for significant improvements. The City of Rocky Mount's former Memorial Hospital building will be repurposed to extend the services of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, which, along with the project in Pembroke (Robeson County), will aim to provide enhanced medical facilities. These efforts are expected to yield numerous jobs and provide advanced health care services to local residents, as conveyed in the Office of the Governor's announcement.
The RIA isn't just putting its weight behind business and health – the Rural Downtown Economic Development program also received a nod, with grants directed towards invigorating the public spaces and infrastructure in towns like Pembroke and Boone. An $850,000 grant heads to Boone to transform Howard Street into a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly corridor. The program's ambitions extend beyond mere beautification, striving for a downtown renaissance that supports local economies as well as bolsters community cohesion.
Governor Stein's recent push for rural development has made it abundantly clear that the future of North Carolina's smaller communities lies in strategic, sustainable investment. With these grants, the RIA, local governments, and private investors collaborate to create not just jobs, but also a better standard of living. The RIA, supported by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight, Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, and several others appointed by various state officials, plays a pivotal role in guiding these local efforts. “These investments will help rural North Carolina grow jobs, expand opportunity, and improve people’s quality of life,” Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley stated about the program's wide-reaching potential impacts.
