North Carolina Approves $1.6M in Rural Infrastructure Grants

The grants are expected to create 215 new jobs across the state.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 7:37am

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio still life depicting a polished metal sculpture in the shape of a rural landscape, using dramatic lighting and shadows to symbolize the abstract concept of infrastructure investment and economic development.A sleek, industrial sculpture captures the essence of rural infrastructure investment and its potential to unlock economic opportunity across North Carolina.Belmont Today

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved $1.6 million in local government grant requests, including a commitment to create 215 jobs. The grants will support building renovations and expansions in several rural communities, including projects by companies like Hinson & Hale Medical Technologies, HiVIZ LED Lighting, TSEA Energy, Aegis Power Systems, De Palo Foods, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Michelin North America.

Why it matters

These infrastructure investments in rural North Carolina are aimed at unlocking economic opportunities, strengthening local economies, and ensuring people across the state have access to jobs and critical services, regardless of where they live.

The details

The grants fall into two categories - the Vacant Building Category and the Existing Business Building Category. Projects include reusing vacant facilities, expanding existing operations, and renovating buildings to accommodate new tenants and business growth. The grants will support a range of industries, from medical manufacturing and lighting design to food distribution and tire production.

  • The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority approved the $1.6 million in grants on April 16, 2026.

The players

North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority

The state agency that approved the $1.6 million in local government grant requests to support rural infrastructure projects and economic development.

Josh Stein

The Governor of North Carolina, who stated that "Investing in rural infrastructure unlocks opportunity" and that these grants will "empower local economies" and "ensure that no matter where someone lives, we offer them a fair shot at success."

Brian Balfour

The Vice President of Research for the John Locke Foundation, who expressed skepticism about government-funded economic development projects, citing a high failure rate for the state's largest such program.

North Carolina Department of Commerce

The state agency that supports the Rural Economic Development team, which reviews and approves the funding grants for infrastructure development, building renovation and expansion, demolition, and site improvements.

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What they’re saying

“Investing in rural infrastructure unlocks opportunity. When we strengthen rural North Carolina, we empower local economies, we connect our people to critical services, and we ensure that no matter where someone lives, we offer them a fair shot at success.”

— Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina

“We need to keep in mind the terrible track record from government 'economic development' projects like this. The state's largest such program, JDIG, has a terrible 49% failure rate. Moreover, government programs like this resemble central planning, in which a committee determines which businesses receive funding — courtesy of taxpayers. The economy's scarce resources should not be directed by government committees, but rather entrepreneurs responding to the preferences of consumers.”

— Brian Balfour, VP of Research, John Locke Foundation

What’s next

The Rural Economic Development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce will continue to review and approve additional funding grants to support infrastructure projects and economic development in rural parts of the state.

The takeaway

These rural infrastructure investments demonstrate the state's commitment to empowering local economies and ensuring equitable access to jobs and services across North Carolina, despite ongoing debates about the role of government in directing economic development.