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N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority approves grant for reuse of former Townsend chicken plant
Story Date: 8/25/2014
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 8/22/14
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Pat Mitchell announced today that the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved eight grants or loans totaling $9 million with the commitment of more than 220 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 new division include assistance for building reuse and restoration as well as infrastructure including water and sewer.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/loans approved:
• Siler City (Chatham County): $750,000 to Carolina Premium Foods to support the reuse of the vacant former Townsend Chicken plant. The vacant 95,500 square foot plant was originally built in 1960 and is located at 1101 East Third Street. The building has been vacant for the past three years. The company will invest $4 million in renovating and equipping the building with two new productions lines. The company has committed to create 38 new, full-time jobs with the expectation of reaching a total employment of over 300 within five years.
• Davidson County: $7 million loan from the Revolving Loan Fund to develop a 1,000 acre I-85 Corridor Business Park. The site is adjacent to I-85 at the Belmont Road exit approximately seven miles south of Lexington. The current use of the site is for agricultural, forestry, and some residential. I-85 is along the proposed park’s western boundary and Norfolk-Southern Railroad’s Spenser Yard is along the eastern boundary. The site is expected to support at least 1,200 new jobs.
Building Reuse Program grants/loans approved :
• Ashe County: $50,000 to support the reuse of a 13,000 sq. ft. building located at 716 Mt. Jefferson Road in West Jefferson. The building was constructed in 1979 and has been vacant for three years. Ashe Medics, an emergency medical transport provider, will locate in the building. Ashe Medics was awarded a six year contract by Ashe County to provide countywide emergency ambulance services and routine emergency care for the county. The company currently has 33 employees in North Carolina and has committed to creating five new, full-time jobs at the Ashe County facility.
• Davidson County: $245,462 to support the reuse of a 36,880 sq. ft. building located at 239 Welcome Center Drive in Welcome. The building was constructed in 2010 and has been vacant for eight months. Atrium Windows and Doors, a manufacturer of residential vinyl and aluminum windows and patio doors, will locate in the building to expand operations. The company currently has 827 employees in North Carolina and has committed to creating 25 new, full-time jobs.
• Scotland Neck (Halifax County): $50,000 to support the reuse of a 70,000 sq. ft. building located at 312 East 9th Street. The original building was constructed in 1890 with a metal addition added in the 1970s. The building has been vacant for five months. Ventosa K9 Kennel trains police and imported canines in protection, narcotics, apprehension and tracking. . The company currently has no employees in North Carolina and has committed to creating five new, full-time jobs.
• The City of Archdale (Randolph County): $116,192 to support the reuse of a 47,700 sq. ft. building located at 503 Aztec Drive. The building was constructed in 1991 and has been vacant for 20 months. Ambella Home Collection is a private, Texas based company that designs, sources and sells case goods with all current production in Asia. They also operate showrooms and sell products through major retailers and designers. One of the showrooms is located in High Point, NC. The company currently has one employee in North Carolina and has committed to creating 12 new, full-time jobs.
• Randolph County: $380,000 to support the reuse of a 188,000 sq. ft. building located at 798 NC-Hwy 705 in Seagrove. The former Lucks canning facility was constructed in 1940 and has been vacant for ten years. PetPro Resources is a private, Wisconsin based company that plans to produce dry pet food ingredients from North Carolina grown sweet potatoes. The company currently has no employees in North Carolina and has committed to creating 38 new, full-time jobs.
The RIA also approved an additional project by conference call on August 7, 2014 and awarded the following Building Reuse Program grant:
• Burke County: $500,000 to support the expansion of a 64,676 sq. ft. building located at 9451 Neuville Avenue in Hildebran. The building was constructed in 1967 and will be renovated to expand and improve the existing facility. Richelieu Legwear is a provider of legwear products to retailers in the US and Canada with major customers that include Wal-Mart, Target and Sears. The company currently has 67 employees in North Carolina and has committed to creating 100 new, full-time jobs.
The Building Reuse Program will provide grants/loans to local governments to support the reuse of vacant buildings and/or expand rural healthcare facilities that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs.
The RIA meets bimonthly to review and approve grants specifically targeted to assist with economic development and job creation in the rural areas of North Carolina.
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