Water and Sewer Grants Programs:
Building Healthier, More Prosperous Rural Communities
The North Carolina Economic Infrastructure Program has received approximately $57 million in appropriation funds through FY07 - 08. Eligible applicants are units of local government in North Carolina. The Program will assist a unit of local government by funding up to $10,000 per job created, for up to one half of water and sewer infrastructure costs, or a maximum of $1,000,000, in projects that result in the creation of private sector jobs. Jobs must be full time, and must pay at least minimum wage. A local match of 5% of the total cost of the infrastructure is required.
Applications are taken on a rolling basis, first-come, first-serve. An applicant must first submit a pre-application . This will be reviewed by staff and the applicant will be contacted to attend a face-to-face meeting with Rural Center staff, the business creating the jobs, and the unit of local government. The requirements of the Performance Agreement between the local government and the business are discussed in the meeting. If the project appears to be a viable one, with a solid commitment of jobs, Rural Center staff will make a recommendation to the Executive Committee to invite the applicant to submit a full application and an executed Performance Agreement.
Once the full application and Performance Agreement are received, reviewed, and approved by Rural Center staff, a recommendation is made to fully fund the project. Funds may be accessed after all local funds and all private funds are expended.
The FY06-07 appropriation resulted in the creation of 1406 jobs. A total of 46 grants have been made, totaling $13,687,716 million.
The Rural Center also administers two programs to help rural communities develop the water and sewer systems they need to support local economic growth and ensure a reliable supply of clean water.
Since the programs began in 1994, the Rural Center has awarded nearly 500 communities and counties more than $268 million to plan, install, expand and improve their water and sewer systems. As a result, these communities have served new residential and business customers, created and preserved thousands of jobs, and leveraged millions of dollars in other water and sewer funds.
The programs were made possible through appropriations from the North Carolina General Assembly and through recently depleted proceeds from the Clean Water Bonds, approved by the voters of North Carolina in November 1998. More recently, the General Assembly allocated an additional $100 million in water and sewer improvement funds under the Clean Water Partners' Infrastructure Program of July 2007. The Rural Center will award these funds through Supplemental and Planning programs to qualified applicants.
Following is a brief overview of the two programs. Additional information can be found by requesting the application forms for each program.
Supplemental Grants Program. The Supplemental Grants Program enables local governments and qualified non-profit corporations to improve local water and sewer systems. Projects may address public health and environmental critical needs. The maximum grant amount for this program is now $500,000.
Planning Grants Program. The Planning Grants Program provides funding for local governments to undertake planning efforts that support strategic investments in water and sewer facilities. Funds typically are used to prepare preliminary engineering reports, master water/sewer plans, capital improvement plans, water/sewer feasibility studies, rate studies and grant applications. The maximum grant amount for this program is generally $40,000.
Eligibility
Local governments located in rural counties are eligible to apply for Supplemental and Planning funds. Priority is given to projects from economically distressed counties of the state as determined each year by the N.C. Department of Commerce. Click here to view the current list of economically distressed counties.
How To Apply
Guidelines and application forms for these programs can be obtained online or by contacting the Rural Center.
Three copies of the application form, with relevant attachments, should be submitted to the Rural Center by the close of business on the specified deadline. Facsimile copies are not accepted. Please note that application instructions and forms are subject to change.
- Rural Center contacts:
-
Julie Haigler Cubeta, Senior Director, Physical Infrastructure Office
N.C. Rural Economic Development Center
4021 Carya Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
Telephone: 919-250-4314
Fax: 919-250-4325
E-Mail: jhaiglercubeta@ncruralcenter.org
