Whether it's an empty storefront on Main Street or a shuttered factory out on the highway, vacant buildings serve as daily reminders of the economic hardships being visited upon small towns throughout North Carolina. They are a source of discouragement to local residents and to anyone considering starting a new business. But these buildings also represent a town's potential. Restored, renovated, equipped, they can once again become thriving centers of commerce, creating jobs and adding much-needed tax base for struggling communities.
The Building Reuse and Restoration Program assists communities in transforming the potential these buildings represent into economic reality. Grants help local governments prepare the buildings for reuse by new and expanding businesses. The Rural Center oversees the program on behalf of the N.C. General Assembly.
Two types of grants were created. Predevelopment grants of $25,000 help cover the cost of an initial study or other activity necessary to secure commitments from a business or investors. Development grants of up to $400,000 are awarded to projects ready for renovation and must be matched by at least an equal amount of private and public funds. Awards are limited to local governments in rural counties or the most economically distressed urban areas, with priority given to towns with fewer than 5,000 people.
Since 2004, the Rural Center has awarded 151 Building Reuse and Restoration grants totaling $18.6 million. All together, the projects are expected to create over 4416 jobs and leverage more than $300 million in private investments.
Funds are available for new projects. Upcoming deadlines (for both predevelopment and development grants) and grant award dates are:
| Application Deadline | Date of Award | |
| June 29, 2009 | August 26, 2009 | |
| September 4, 2009 | November 5, 2009 |
Other rounds will be announced.
Building Reuse Pre-Application Conference Request form (application revised May, 2009)
Building Reuse Predevelopment Grant application (application revised May, 2009)
Building Reuse Development Grant application (application revised May, 2009)
Building Reuse Development Grant Financial Request form (Excel file)
