Raleigh, N.C. – April 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Patricia Mitchell announced today that the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 16 grants or loans totaling more than $4.7 million with the commitment of 392 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) grants/loans approved:
· City of Thomasville (Davidson County): $120,000 loan for North American Implements Company to support the reuse of a vacant 26,295 square feet industrial building located at 215 Washburn Road. The building has been vacant for the past year. North American Implements Company will invest $750,000 in the renovation and for new equipment. The company will design and manufacture tractor attachments that are sold through a dealer network throughout the southeastern United States. North American Implements has committed to creating six new, full-time jobs.
· City of Thomasville (Davidson County): $240,000 loan for Y & Y Hardwood Company to support the reuse of a vacant 40,000 square feet industrial building located at 150 Jennings Street. The building has been vacant for ten years. The company will invest $3,000,000 in renovating and equipping the building. Y & Y Hardwood produces kiln dried lumber for sale to customers in North Carolina and Virginia. The company has committed to creating 12 new, full-time jobs.
· Town of Denton (Davidson County): $131,250 to construct a pump station and sewer force main to allow Century Hosiery to expand at their current site. The company cannot expand on its current site without connecting to Denton’s sewer system because the on-site septic system is at capacity. The company manufactures medical footwear and is one of the top two manufacturers in the United States. Century Hosiery has committed to creating 11 full time jobs at the Denton plant.
· Sampson County: $500,000 to provide public sewer service to a proposed 45,000 square feet manufacturing plant to be constructed by Kansas City Sausage Company. The site is currently served by a private land application wastewater system that was operated by the former property owners. Because of environmental issues, the private system must be abandoned. Sewage from the new plant will be pumped to a wastewater treatment plant operated by PWC in Cumberland County. Kansas City Sausage Company has committed to creating 50 new full time at the new plant.
The 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. DENR administers the rural residential infrastructure program and the N.C. Department of Commerce administers the economic development program. CDBG economic development 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.
The Industrial Development Fund Utility Account grants approved:
· Martin County: $926,675 to assist with improvements to Everetts Industrial Park. The proposed improvements include water, sewer and industrial access. The improvements would open five lots for companies to locate and serve as a catalyst for economic 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 :
· Ashe County: $500,000 to support the reuse of a 210,000 sq. ft. building located at 101 Gates Lane in Jefferson. The building was constructed in 1978 and has been vacant for more than four months. American Emergency Vehicles, a manufacturer of ambulances, will relocate from its current facility in Jefferson in order to expand their production operations. The company has committed to create 40 new, full-time jobs.
· City of Morganton (Burke County): $212,500 to support the reuse of a 166,000 sq. ft. building located at 410 Hogan Street. The building was constructed in 1901 and has been vacant for three months. American Hospitality Furnishings is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and is a manufacturer of custom furniture for hotel industry clients. The company will locate in the former Drexel Heritage Facility. American Hospitality Furnishings has committed to creating 17 new, full-time jobs.
· Town of Edenton (Chowan County): $18,020 to support the reuse of a 2,880 sq. ft. building located at 709 North Broad Street. The building was constructed in 1985 and has been vacant for 18 months. Albemarle Urgent Care, Inc. is a new company with plans to locate in the building. The company will provide urgent treatment for non-life threating conditions. The company will be open 7 days a week with extended hours. Albemarle Urgent Care has committed to creating two new, full-time jobs.
· Franklin County: $500,000 to support the expansion of a 60,000 sq. ft. building located at 7966 NC 56 Hwy in Louisburg. The building was constructed in 1991 and has been occupied by Palziv North America for the last five years. Palziv North America is a manufacturer of cross-linked, closed-cell polyethylene foams. The Louisburg facility serves as a distribution and logistics center. Palziv North America has committed to creating 40 new, full-time jobs.
· Hyde County: $25,000 to support the reuse of a 1,728 sq. ft. building located at 1129 Irvin Garrish Hwy in Ocracoke. The building was constructed in 1988 and has been vacant for 12 months. The 1718: Ocracoke Brewing Company, a craft brewery, will locate in the building with plans to open a 10-barrel brewery and tasting room. The company has committed to creating five new, full-time jobs.
· Martin County: $220,000 to support the expansion of a 475,000 sq. ft. building located at 1301 Penco Drive in Hamilton. The building was constructed in 1961 and has been occupied by Penco Products for the last 14 years. Penco Products, Inc. is a manufacturer of locker/storage products with a diverse product line that includes shelving, storage cabinets, work benches, and shop furniture. The company has committed to creating 22 new, full-time jobs.
· Stanly County: $240,000 to support the reuse of a 133,500 sq. ft. building located at 200 Sterling Drive in Albemarle. The building was constructed in 1980 and has been vacant for more than four years. Kraftsman, Inc., a manufacturer of landscape and equipment trailers, will locate in the building. The company has committed to creating 20 new, full-time jobs.
· Surry County: $80,000 to support the expansion of a 26,900 sq. ft. building located at 589 Hiatt Road in Mount Airy. The building was constructed in 2003 and has been occupied by Johnson Granite, Inc. for the last 11 years. Johnson Granite, Inc. designs, fabricates, and installs stone surfaces for residential and commercial clients. The company has committed to creating eight new, full-time jobs.
The Building Reuse Program provides grants/loans to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand a building occupied by an existing North Carolina company, and/or renovate, expand or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs.
Economic Infrastructure Projects approved:
· Cherokee County: $71,678 to allow Peachtree Manor, Inc. to open an eighty (80) bed assisted living facility that will include a Special Care Unit for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, there are no assisted living facilities with Special Care Units for patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Cherokee County. The company has committed to creating 49 new, full-time jobs.
· Gaston County: $500,000 that will allow Tosaf USA, Inc. to open a facility in Gaston County. The company specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of advanced polymers and compounds. Tosaf USA’s products are used by plastic molders and processors serving a wide range of industries including automotive, medical, electrical and packaging. The Bessemer City facility will be its first entry into the U.S. market. The proposed rail spur improvements include the extension of approximately 1,580 linear feet of rail line and necessary rights-o-way. Tosaf USA has committed to creating 60 new, full-time jobs over a two year period.
· Sampson County: $500,000 that will allow Kansas City Sausage Company, LLC, to expand its operations in Sampson County. The company’s plan is to demolish an existing building and build a new 60,000 square feet facility. Currently, the site is not served by public sewer. The proposed improvements include the extension of approximately 14,060 linear feet of eight-inch (8”) force main, a pump station and necessary rights-of-way. (See company’s job commitment under CDBG grants).
The Economic Infrastructure Program provides grants for a variety of public infrastructure, such as water and sewer, broadband infrastructure, natural gas, access road, and rail spur improvements.
Contact: Graham Wilson
Phone: 919 733-5082
