For Immediate Release 7/1/2010

Contact: Garnet Bass, director of communications, 919-250-4314 

The center’s board of directors approved the grants June 30. The grants were made possible by appropriations of the N.C. General Assembly.

CLEAN WATER GRANTS

Town of Grimesland, $223,551 to augment a previous grant to rehabilitate the town’s water tank and replace aging water lines and meters. Grimesland is in Pitt County.

Town of Tryon, $40,000 to identify and map areas of the town’s wastewater system that have problems with infiltration by rain and groundwater. Tryon is in Polk County.

JOB CREATION GRANTS

Water and Sewer

Town of Four Oaks, $737,958 to extend water and sewer service to the site of a medical device company’s new distribution center. The project will create 74 jobs in the Johnston County town.

Lincoln County, $580,000 to provide water and sewer service to the site of a new plant that will manufacture hydraulic parts for automobiles. The project will create 58 jobs.

Robeson County, $510,000 to construct a water tank to enable the expansion of a company that processes and packages chicken products. The project will create 51 jobs.

Building Reuse and Restoration

Alleghany County, $72,000 to renovate a vacant building for reuse as a tavern and bowling alley. The project will create six jobs.

Anson County, $25,000 to study the reuse of a former hosiery building by a company that raises genetically altered silkworms.

Town of Candor, $25,000 to study the reuse of a former manufacturing facility to enable the expansion of a company that manufactures off-road utility vehicles, primarily for use by the military. Candor is in Montgomery County.

Town of Carthage, $240,000 to renovate a vacant manufacturing facility for reuse as a nonprofit call center that connects low-income individuals with social and financial services. The project will create 24 jobs in the Moore County town.

City of Cherryville, $400,000 to renovate a former manufacturing facility for reuse by a fabrication and machine company. The project will create 20 jobs. Cherryville is in Gaston County.

Cleveland County, $240,000 to renovate a building to enable the relocation and expansion of a farm equipment sales and repair company. The project will create 20 jobs.

Graham County, $25,000 to develop architectural plans for the renovation of a former gymnasium as a multi-use convention center.

Town of Granite Falls, $60,000 to renovate a vacant building for reuse by a tire supply company. The project will create five jobs in the Caldwell County town.

Moore County, $240,000 to renovate a building for reuse by a defense consulting company. The project will create 24 jobs.

City of Morganton, $336,000 to renovate a building for reuse as a grocery store. The project will create 28 jobs. Morganton is in Burke County.

Town of Morven, $25,000 to study the reuse of a former school building as a construction trades training center. Morven is in Anson County.

Town of Red Springs, $25,000 to study the reuse of a former manufacturing facility as a business incubator. Red Springs is in Robeson County.

City of Wilson, $100,000 to renovate a vacant strip mall to house a commercial bakery specializing in Mexican goods. The project will create 10 jobs. Wilson is in Wilson County.

Rural Health Care

Henderson County, $150,000 to construct a medical facility to house a family practice, a pediatric practice and a mental health services office. The project will create 15 jobs.

Wayne County, $264,000 to expand a hospice facility to include a 12-bed residential wing. The project will create 22 jobs.

The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. The center operates a multifaceted program that includes conducting research into rural issues; testing promising rural development strategies; advocating for policy and program innovations; and building the productive capacity of rural leaders, entrepreneurs and community organizations.