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RALEIGH — The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 12 grant requests to local governments totaling $1,858,000, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday.
The requests include commitments to create a total of 385 jobs, 275 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $36.7 million in public and private investment.
This announcement included a grant of $80,000 to support the renovation of a 34,230-square-foot building in Albemarle.
The facility is currently occupied by Global Packaging Solutions, a packaging and pouch manufacturer for food, snacks and pet treats.
The project is expected to create 10 jobs with a private investment of $4,726,000.
“These investments will not only strengthen our local economy, but also create new opportunities for North Carolina’s rural communities,” said Cooper. “By supporting job growth and attracting private investment, we are helping to build a more resilient and prosperous future for our rural residents.”
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.
“As we continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, these grants are a critical investment in the future of our rural communities,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “By creating new economic opportunities, we’re creating a stronger foundation for the future.”