$19.7 million from federal American Rescue Plan awarded for rural economic development
Governor Roy Cooper announced today that 42 local governments in rural areas across the state have been awarded grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund, supporting rural economic development projects in North Carolina.

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that 42 local governments in rural areas across the state have been awarded grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund, supporting rural economic development projects in North Carolina. A total of $19.76 million will be issued in this second round of grantmaking from the Fund, which helps local governments overcome challenges that limit their economic competitiveness. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Biden last year. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and its Rural Economic Development Division administers the fund.

“More support for North Carolina’s rural communities is on the way with these transformative grants, made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These funds, backed up by the expertise of our rural development team at the Department of Commerce, will bring more economic opportunity to people across the state.”

The Rural Transformation Grant Fund, the centerpiece of a broader Rural Engagement and Investment Program from Commerce, addresses a wide variety of needs, from revitalizing downtown districts, building the capacity of local government staffs, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering small business recovery, and generally supporting economic growth initiatives.

The Rural Transformation Grant Fund awarded grants in four categories today:

    The Downtown Revitalization category supports downtown development initiatives that help grow and leverage a community’s commercial core into an asset for economic growth and prosperity.

    The Resilient Neighborhoods category offers grants focused on community development and quality of life improvements, such as eliminating food deserts, creating healthy living initiatives, and increasing access to affordable housing options, among other initiatives.

    The Community Enhancements for Economic Growth category provides grants to local governments to smooth the way for economic development opportunities, such as the acquisition of land and buildings, the preparation of business sites, and the removal of structural and physical barriers that may be limiting development.

    The Rural Community Capacity Building (RC2) category provides educational and professional development opportunities for local government staffs, with the additional ability for local governments to then ‘apply what they’ve learned’ by developing funding proposals for projects in their local areas.

“Extensive preparation and planning are the key ingredients for economic development success,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “I’m pleased to see this second round of grants go out to help our rural communities reach the next level of growth.”

Local governments awarded project grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund include:

Downtown Revitalization Category

    Bertie County $200,000
    City of Conover $640,000
    City of Elizabeth City $641,000
    City of Laurinburg $650,000
    City of Lenoir $580,000
    City of Rocky Mount $800,000
    City of Shelby $750,000
    Town of Bryson City $600,000
    Town of Carthage $350,000
    Town of China Grove $680,000
    Town of Elkin $800,000
    Town of Hertford $725,000
    Town of Marshville $200,000
    Town of Maysville $850,000
    Town of Murphy $665,000
    Town of Nashville $675,000
    Town of Plymouth $725,000
    Town of Richlands $330,000
    Town of Roseboro $825,000
    Town of Spindale $395,000
    Town of Spring Hope $800,000

Resilient Neighborhoods Category

    Town of East Spencer $580,000
    Town of Rosman $450,000
    Town of Saratoga $300,000
    Town of Seven Springs $400,000
    Town of Vass $650,000

Community Enhancements Category

    Cherokee County $550,000
    City of Marion $450,000
    Clay County $850,000
    Franklin County $450,000
    Hertford County $725,000
    Town of Bladenboro $325,000
    Town of Louisburg $450,000
    Town of St. Pauls $150,000

And for the Rural Community Capacity (RC2) category, the following jurisdictions have been awarded $49,999 each:

    City of Archdale
    Hertford County
    Town of Garysburg
    Town of Jonesville
    Town of Liberty
    Town of Mars Hill
    Town of Maysville
    Town of Pilot Mountain
    Town of Rosman
    Town of Spruce Pine
    Town of Wilson's Mills

“Following the best practices that we know work well, these economic development grants will bring new vitality to many rural communities,” said Kenny Flowers, the Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development. “I look forward to working with these communities as we work to transform the economy in rural North Carolina.”

Descriptions of the projects being awarded today are available at the Commerce website.

A third window for grant applications is expected to open in the spring of 2023. More information about the Rural Transformation Grant Fund is available at nccommerce.com/transform.