NC rural infrastructure authority approves $97,500 to support economic development in Mitchell County
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, or RIA, approved 24 grant requests to local governments totaling $7,799,500, North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced this past week. The requests include commitments to create a total of 1,312 jobs, 863 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $262 million in private investment.
“Many rural communities across North Carolina are experiencing economic growth because their infrastructure has prepared them for an opportunity,” Copeland said. “That’s why it is so important that we continue to make strategic investments like these Rural Infrastructure Authority grants, which will support good jobs and make rural areas more competitive.”
Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.
The RIA approved one request under the state’s Rural Demolition grant program
Mitchell County received a $97,500 grant to assist in the demolition and removal of 250,000 square-foot damaged and cracked concrete slab from the former Henredon manufacturing plant site. With infrastructure including water, sewer and natural gas already in place, the 14.71-acre site will be positioned for future economic development after the demolition is complete
The Mitchel County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Mickey Duvall worked with the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners to secure a North Carolina Department of Commerce Grant on this project for a combined total amount of $130,000, the $97,500 from the NCDC match and a $32,500 county and EDC match, to remove the dilapidated concrete pad at the 15-acre Mitchell County Industrial Site at Cisco Drive near PRC Industries off Humpback Mountain Road just outside Spruce Pine.
“Removal of the pad will greatly enhance the site marketability giving the EDC a significant competitive advantage in attracting future industry to this location,” Duvall said. “This particular site is one of only 252 ‘Opportunity Zones’ located in North Carolina.”