Governor Josh Stein Directs $4.9 Million in Infrastructure Grants to Spur Rural Manufacturing

RALEIGH, NC — Governor Josh Stein announced the approval of 14 municipal and county grant awards totaling $4.9 million through the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) to expand industrial utility capacity in rural communities across the state.

Driving Rural Job Creation and Private Investment

The funding packages finance municipal wastewater extensions, natural gas industrial connections, and rail spur logistics pads across Robeson, Surry, and Edgecombe counties. State Commerce modeling indicates the infrastructure upgrades will leverage over $1 billion in private manufacturing and clean tech commitments.

Governor Stein affirmed that expanding rural infrastructure ensures every North Carolina community participates in the state's economic expansion.

Local Government Match and Regional Oversight

County commissions provided $2.1 million in matching infrastructure bonds, prioritizing shovel-ready industrial megasites.

Rural development leaders commended the state grants for modernizing legacy utility grids.

Groundbreaking Milestones

Utility pipeline engineering work across the 14 approved sites will begin in September 2026.