Source: PRESS RELEASE, 2/6/15

North Carolina Secretary of Commerce John E. Skvarla III and Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development Pat Mitchell have announced the recipients of the FY2015 Economic Development Competitive Grants for Underserved and Limited Resource Communities (ULRC). This program provides grants to local governments and non-profits totaling up to $1.75 million.

The purpose of the ULRC Program is to encourage economic development activities, services or projects that benefit underserved populations and limited resource communities across the state.  The program is administered by the Rural Economic Development Division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

“The goal of these grants is to make sure that North Carolina’s rural communities have the necessary funds available to carry out projects to help the local economy,” said Secretary Skvarla. “All of the projects selected will help make a difference in each community.”

There are six project categories funded by the program: agriculture, health care, cultural & performing arts, small business development, planning and coastal projects.

Eligible applicants are units of local government (defined as “city, county, or consolidated city-county” NC GS 160A-470) or 501(c) 3 non-profits located in either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, or a rural census tract in a Tier 3 county.  The ULRC Program gives priority to organizations that:

1. Demonstrate established business involvement and community partnership
2. Match funds and/or have at least one other significant source of funding
3. Demonstrate independent fundraising to achieve financial sustainability
4. Plan to use award funds to engage in activity that improves/enhances an aspect of a local economy

A total of 39 ULRC Grants were awarded.