Wilkes Economic Development logo

NC Selectsite Readiness Program

Wilkes Economic Development

Foundation One-time

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

NC Selectsite Readiness Program

Status: Active (Expanded in 2026)

Geographic Scope: North Carolina, with recent expansion to western North Carolina (Alexander, Burke, Jackson, Mitchell, and Wilkes counties)

Funder: North Carolina General Assembly (enacted during 2023-24 legislative budget)

Focus Areas: Ready smaller properties (some under 100 acres) for advanced manufacturing companies and attracting new jobs to communities across North Carolina.

Program Type: Site readiness and infrastructure funding for local economic development authorities

What They Fund:

  • Site due diligence studies

  • Public infrastructure improvements

  • Site preparedness activities

    • Program Details:

  • Complements the Megasites Readiness Program (which focuses on properties >1,000 acres)

  • Originally 15 locations selected; expanded with 5 new sites in 2026

  • Wilkes County site: ECMD/Stokes St. in Wilkesboro

  • Program has expended nearly all originally allocated funds, demonstrating high demand

  • Success example: Amazon Web Services $10 billion investment in Richmond County (June 2024) at original Selectsite

  • Recent expansion focuses on western NC recovery post-Hurricane Helene (September 2024)

    • Recent Expansion (2026):

  • Alexander County Rail Sites in Hiddenite

  • Great Meadows in Morganton (Burke County)

  • Project Shift in Sylva (Jackson County)

  • Mitchell Business Park in Spruce Pine (Mitchell County)

  • ECMD/Stokes St. in Wilkesboro (Wilkes County)

    • Contact:

  • Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)

  • Website: edpnc.com

  • Works with local economic development agencies and authorities

    • What Wilkes Economic Development actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    1
    Total given
    $6,000
    Median grant
    $6,000
    • By dollars: North Carolina 100%. Top recipient cities: Wilkesboro, NC.

    Example grants

    • Grant-Twoboros Performance Shop · Wilkesboro, NC

      Entrepreneur grant

      $6,000

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

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