Eight local governments receive $4 million in state grants
On June 18, the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved more than $4 million in grants to eight local governments. These projects are promised to create almost 400 jobs, 300 of which had been announced previously, and to attract additional investment of more than $126.2 million.
“North Carolina’s small towns continue to attract investment because they are great places to live, raise a family, and do business,” said Gov. Josh Stein, in a press release. “These grants contribute to our state’s positive momentum by making necessary infrastructure improvements that will bring good-paying jobs and help communities thrive.”
The RIA is a board of 17 appointed members that awards grant funds to the Utility Account and the Rural Community Development Block Grant (CBDG), according to the press release. RIA grants fund projects include infrastructure & site development, as well as building renovation, expansion, and demolition.
Four of these grants are in the state’s Building Reuse Program. According to the press release, there are three projects in the Vacant Building Category. Lexington in Davidson County was awarded $250,000 for the reuse of a 214,592 sq ft building where Supreme Nonwoven Industries plans to establish its US hub of operations, a manufacturer of textiles for the automotive, construction, and manufacturing industries.
Gaston County was awarded $272,000 to support the reuse of a 550,000 sq ft building in McAdenville, to be occupied by Textum OPCO, LLC, an advanced textile manufacturer focused on carbon-carbon composites, according to the press release.
Construction on this facility is projected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027, according to the County. The project is projected to create 34 jobs with an average salary of $67,812, which is $13,076 greater than the county’s average salary of $54,763.
“Textum’s expansion in McAdenville represents a significant milestone in our company’s growth and our commitment to advanced manufacturing in North Carolina,” Aaron Feinberg, CEO of Textum Opco, said in a press release. “This investment will expand our production capacity, strengthen our ability to support critical aerospace, defense, and space programs, and create high-quality careers in Gaston County. We are grateful for the partnership and support of Gaston County and the State of North Carolina, and we look forward to continuing to grow our presence in this community for years to come.”
A $400,000 grant has been awarded to Rockingham County to fund the reuse of a 125,000 sq ft building in Reidsville, for Talalay Global, Inc., a manufacturer of latex mattresses, toppers, components, and pillows, according to the press release.
The company promises to invest $27 million and create 52 new jobs with an average salary of $50,278, according to the County.
“We are thrilled to welcome Talalay to Reidsville,” Reidsville Mayor Donald Gorham said in a press release. “This project represents exactly the kind of growth we strive to attract—new investment, quality jobs, and the successful reuse of an existing industrial facility. The company’s decision to establish operations here speaks to the strength of our workforce and the value of partnerships at the local and state levels that help make opportunities like this possible.”
The fourth grant in the Building Reuse Program is in the Rural Health Category: a $125,000 grant to fund the reuse of a 3,100 sq ft building, which will be occupied by VitalNow Urgent Care and offer outpatient healthcare in Taylorsville, Alexander County, according to the press release.
Two requests were approved in the Rural Downtown Economic Development program. In the Public Buildings Category, the town of Badin in Stanly County will receive a $241,700 grant to fund the renovation of a 5,400 sq ft, 109-year-old building that was formerly a hospital, according to the press release. In the Public Infrastructure Category, Asheboro in Randolph County was awarded a $225,000 grant to fund the renovation of 450 linear feet on North Street and Trade Street, including new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and burying power lines.
Those two grants included a$1,862,000 Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development for Hendersonville in Henderson County to fund infrastructure improvements for BorgWarner, a global manufacturer of sustainable mobility solutions. The other was a $709,508 Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account grant for Caldwell County to fund sewer and infrastructure improvements supporting the development of more than 1,000 acres at Foothills Regional Airport Industrial Park.
“Eight local governments receive $4 million in state grants” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.
