USDA Approves Funding For Johnston County Multifamily Housing Complex

RALEIGH – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development North Carolina State Director Reginald Speight announced September 21 the USDA is funding 11 of projects in the Tar Heel State to improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas that have long struggled to access government resources.

USDA is providing loans and grants to communities participating in the Rural Partners Network (RPN). These investments will expand access to jobs, business opportunities, quality health care, clean water and renewable energy.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides a historic opportunity to build our economy from the bottom up and middle out, not the top down,” Speight said. “The Rural Partners Network is working right alongside people in small towns, rural places and on Tribal lands to get them the resources they need to strengthen their communities and turn their visions for a vibrant future into reality.”
Listing of North Carolina Projects:

• In Bladen County, Four County EMC will use $300 thousand Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program funds to assist Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc., in the construction of a distillery and restaurant in the Elizabethtown Airport Industrial Park. The distillery is expected to provide 30 full-time and 10 part-time jobs and to bolster the tourism industry in the region with increased options for dining as well as distillery tours.

• In Bladen County, Four County EMC will $300 thousand Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program funds to assist Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc., in the construction of a medical clinic in the Elizabethtown Airport Industrial Park. The facility will be operated by Cape Fear Valley Health and will provide primary care, specialists, and walk-in care in numerous specialties.

• In Columbus County, the town of Chadbourn will use a $65 thousand Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant to complete a master revitalization plan for their downtown area.

• In Johnston County, Mayes Farm LP will use a $2.9 million Rural Development Multi-Family Housing Loan to assist in the construction of a multifamily housing complex in Four Oaks, North Carolina. This project will consist of 12 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and 24 three-bedroom units.

• In Nash County, Nashville Propco, LLC will use a $7.5 million Rural Development Business and Industry Loan to assist The Gardens of Nashville is a 62-bed living facility offering around the clock daily living assistance including medical management, transportation, and personal care.

• In Nash County, the town of Middlesex will use a $314 thousand loan and $941 thousand grant from the Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to rehabilitate the town’s sewer collection program.

• North Carolina Electric Membership Corp. will use a $58 million Rural Development Electric Infrastructure Loan to finance generation system improvements at the Catawba Nuclear Station Units.

• In Randolph County, Glow House Society Inc. will use a $47 thousand Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant to provide the funds needed to conduct a feasibility study for the County.

• In Robeson County, the town of Fairmont will use a $74 thousand Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant to complete a master revitalization plan for the downtown area.

• In Robeson County, Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department will use a $30 thousand Rural Development Community Facilities Grant to purchase pagers and turn out gear.

• In Washington County, the Roper Fire Department will use a $287 thousand loan and $50 thousand grant from the Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program to renovate the fire station and site.

Nationwide, the funding being announced will support 56 projects in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico for a total of $148 million in awards from USDA.

The projects will help communities address immediate needs and carry out long-term strategies for economic growth and stability. These projects will benefit small towns and cities, Tribal communities, family farms and businesses.