Public Infrastructure Funds - State Rural Grant

The Public Infrastructure Funds - State Rural Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce supports local governments in enhancing critical infrastructure. This funding aims to foster economic growth by facilitating projects that create full-time jobs, including upgrades to water systems, broadband installation, and road construction. Priority is given to counties ranked highest in distress, ensuring that the most in-need communities receive assistance to attract businesses and improve their competitive edge.

Infrastructure is critical to attracting companies and supporting expansion. North Carolina has mulitple resources to help communities invest in their utility and transportation infrastructue so they are better positioned to compete for business.
The Economic Infrastructure Program provides grants to local governments to assist with infrastructure projects that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs.
Eligible projects include but are not limited to:

• Upgrades or repair of public drinking water or wastewater treatment plants
• Upgrades, extensions, or repair of public water or sewer lines
• Extensions of publicly owned natural gas line (with an executed Pipeline Construction, Operating and Resale Agreement
• Installation or extension of public broadband infrastructure
• Construction of publicly owned access roads not funded or owned by the NC Department of Transportation
• Construction of public rail spur improvements.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are units of local government with priority given to the counties that have the 80 highest rankings under N.C.G.S.143B-437.08. The rankings can be found on the county tier designations page.