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The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 12 grant requests to local governments totaling $1,858,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced on 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.

“These investments will not only strengthen our local economy, but also create new opportunities for North Carolina’s rural communities,” said Governor 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.”

The RIA approved 12 grant requests under the state’s Building Reuse Program in three categories: vacant building, existing business building and rural health building. 

Under the rural health building category, Agape Health in Beaufort County, will receive $200,000 for the reuse of a 4,716-sq.-ft. building in Aurora. Agape provides primary and preventive medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services on a sliding fee scale to vulnerable populations. This project will reopen the only health care facility in the town to address the medical needs of the whole community. With this project, the company is expected to create 20 jobs and invest $1,121,142.

The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, as well as rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.

In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development team. Its 17 voting members are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem. The North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serves as a member of the authority, ex officio.