Graham County awarded $500,000 in NC rural infrastructure grants

Graham County — with the highest unemployment in Western North Carolina — has been awarded $500,000 to support the reuse of a 571,869 sq. ft. building in Robbinsville. The building was constructed in 1958 and has been vacant for three months. Oak Valley Hardwoods processes saw and dry lumber to be sold as a raw material. Oak Valley Hardwoods has committed to create 40 new, full-time jobs.

North Carolina’s Building Reuse Program provides grants/loans to local governments to support the reuse of vacant buildings and/or expand rural healthcare facilities that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs. The program is overseen by the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority, which approved 18 grants totaling more than $6 million, with the commitment of 627 new jobs, across the state. Here’s the press release:

More Than 600 New Jobs Announced with Latest

Rural Grants

 

Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Pat Mitchell announced today that the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 18 grants or loans totaling more than $6 million with the commitment of 627 new jobs.The RIA was established as part of the Rural Economic Development Division at the N.C. Department of Commerce to assist with the review and approval of grants for rural areas in the state. The grants-making programs of the division include assistance for building reuse and well as infrastructure including water and sewer. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loans approved: The City of Raeford (Hoke County):$1,000,000 to support the construction of a new belt press facility, including two presses.  This infrastructure will enable the city to accommodate the projected wastewater discharge requirements for Butterball, which will renovate a vacant 216,130 sq. ft. building in Raeford.    Butterball will invest $26 million in renovating and equipping the plant and the City of Raeford is committing $361,000 towards the cost of the belt press facility. Butterball has committed to create 84 full-time jobs. The City of Conover (Catawba County): $600,000 to construct an industrial access road and sewer/water lines to allow Project Pegasus (a confidential project not yet announced) to expand their existing plant in Conover by 30,000 square feet.  Project Pegasus will invest $29 million in new construction and equipment at the Conover facility, and the City of Conover will provide $150,000 in matching funds. Project Pegasus has committed to create 50 new, full-time jobs. The Town of Edenton (Chowan County): $562,080 to construct a water line and upgrade the town-owned electrical service to allow Project Blanched (a confidential project not yet announced) to expand their existing plant in Edenton by 260,000 square feet..  Project Blanched will invest $30 million in new construction and equipment at the Edenton facility. Project Blanched has committed to create 78 new, full-time jobs. CDBG is a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that provides an annual allocation of funds to the state for rural economic development and residential infrastructure projects. The CDBG economic development program provides grants to local governments for creating and retaining jobs. Funding for projects is based on the number of jobs to be created and the level of distress in the community applying for the funds. Economic Infrastructure Program grants approved: Davidson County: $162,000 to allow Frenzelit, North America to expand its operations in Davidson County. The company manufactures gaskets and seals. Their plan is to build a new 70,000 sq. ft. facility and expand an existing 20,000 sq. ft. building. Currently, the site is not served by public sewer. The proposed improvements include the extension of sewer line, manholes and necessary    rights-of-way. The City of Lexington will treat the wastewater from this facility. In addition, the County will provide $120,025 to complete the infrastructure improvements.  Frenzelit, North America has committed to create 13 new, full-time jobs.  The Economic Infrastructure Program provides grants for a variety of public infrastructure, such as, water and sewer, broadband, natural gas, access road, and rail spur improvements. The Industrial Development Fund Utility Account grants approved: Alexander County:  $200,000 to install approximately one mile of natural gas pipeline. The line will serve a new office addition for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams as well as allowing the company to convert the entire 330,000 sq. ft. facility to natural gas. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams has committed to create 20 new, full-time jobs over the next two years. Town of Mocksville (Davie County): $450,000 to assist with industrial access that would connect two existing industrial parks. The proposed improvements would open up 85 acres for future development. The Utility Account of the Industrial Development Fund provides grants to units of local government of the 80 most distressed counties in the state to assist in job creation. The funds may be used for publicly-owned infrastructure and should be used for projects that are reasonably expected to result in the creation of jobs. Building Reuse Program grants/loans approved: Alexander County:$500,000 to support the reuse of a 150,000 sq. ft. building located in Taylorsville. The building was constructed in 1985 and has been vacant for two years. Huntington House Furniture will locate in the building to expand operations. The company is a family-owned custom upholstery business that produces a wide variety of fabric and leather furniture.  Huntington House Furniture has committed to create 40 new, full-time jobs. Bladen County: $250,000 to support the reuse of a 49,000 sq. ft. building located in Bladenboro. The building was constructed in 2005 and has been vacant for nine years. Carol Poultry, LLC is a poultry processing company with plans to bring its entire processing in-house for the first time.  Carol Poultry, LLC has committed to create 50 new, full-time jobs. The Town of Hudson (Caldwell County): $125,000 to support the reuse of  a 102,600 sq. ft. space in Hudson. There are multiple buildings constructed in 1974 that have been vacant for five years. Associated Hardwoods, Inc. will relocate their operations from Granite Falls to the town of Hudson. The proposed facility will offer the company the ability to expand production and capacity.  Associated Hardwoods, Inc. has committed to create 10 new, full-time jobs. The City of Claremont (Catawba County): $240,000 to support the expansion of a 1.2M square foot building in Claremont that was constructed in 1982. Prysmian Cables and Systems USA, LLC, is a manufacturer of fiber optical telecommunications products with facilities in Catawba and Rocky Mount. The company plans to restore the Fiber Optical Preform (PCVD) operation that was idled in 2003. Prysmian Cables has committed to create 24 new, full-time jobs. The City of Raeford (Hoke County): $500,000 to support the reuse of a 216,130 sq. ft. building in Raeford. The building was constructed in 1995 and has been vacant for three months. Butterball will utilize the building to expand the company’s ground turkey, raw roast and tray pack business. The proposed project will assist with general renovations and upgrades that include roof repairs, electrical, floors, and walls.  Butterball has committed to create 100 new, full-time jobs. The City of Thomasville (Davidson County): $170,000 to support the reuse of a 20,000 sq. ft. space in Thomasville that was constructed in 1938. Wildcat Territory is a manufacturer of decorative home accessories. The company will relocate its New York office to Thomasville, leasing a space that has been separated by firewalls, from Carolina Underwear Company.  Wildcat Territory has committed to create 17 new, full-time jobs. The Town of Aberdeen (Moore County): $40,000 to support the expansion of a 45,000 sq. ft. building in Aberdeen that was constructed in 1975.  Previously, Epsilon Plastics occupied the building but is now closed, although some equipment remains.  Project Sparrow (a confidential company not yet announced) specializes in the extruding, printing, and converting of film and will able to use some of the equipment which will help to vertically integrate operations and meet growing demand. The proposed project will assist primarily with repairs to the roof. Project Sparrow has committed to create 8 new, full-time jobs. The Town of Youngsville (Franklin County): $15,000 to support the reuse of a 1,500 sq. ft. building in Youngsville. The building was constructed in 1966 and has been vacant for two years. Youngsville Animal Hospital is a comprehensive veterinary clinic that will offer standard forms of veterinary care and serve Franklin County and northern Wake County. Youngsville Animal Hospital has committed to create 3 new, full-time jobs. Graham County: $500,000 to support the reuse of a 571,869 sq. ft. building in Robbinsville. The building was constructed in 1958 and has been vacant for three months. Oak Valley Hardwoods processes saw and dry lumber to be sold as a raw material. Oak Valley Hardwoods has committed to create 40 new, full-time jobs. Martin County: $500,000 to support the expansion of a 209,836 sq. ft. building in Robersonville that was constructed in 1978. Ann’s House of Nuts, Inc. produces and distributes trail mixes.  Ann’s House of Nuts, Inc. has committed to create 50 new, full-time jobs. Martin County: $250,000 to support the expansion of a 77,798 sq. ft. building in Everetts that was constructed in 2000. Syfan Manufacturing, Inc. is a commercial manufacturer and supplier of shrink and over-wrap films.  Syfan Manufacturing, Inc. has committed to create 25 new, full-time jobs. Randolph County: $180,000 to support the reuse of a 39,100 sq. ft. building in High Point. The building was constructed in 1970 and has been vacant for 16 months. Vault, LLC will locate in the building to increase production space and accommodate growing demand.  Vault, LLC has committed to create 15 new, full-time jobs.   The Building Reuse Program provides grants/loans to local governments to support the reuse of vacant buildings and/or expand rural healthcare facilities that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs.