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Despite the challenges of 2020, Governor Roy Cooper made several sweeping announcements that bode well for general contractors in the state of North Carolina. In mid-February of 2021, Cooper advised that millions of dollars in grants and loans will be allocated to several major projects.

The first set of grants is centered on projects within the rural communities. The second project is focused on improving and constructing wastewater and sewer facilities throughout the state.

The goal of these projects is to aid in economic recovery post-pandemic, while also improving the lives of thousands of North Carolina residents. The combined effects of these two grants will create new jobs, drive increased investments by private entities, and improve the overall financial outlook throughout the state.

Rural Communities Grants

As mentioned above, the first project is focused on rural infrastructure and was announced on February 18, 2021. The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved a total of 12 grant requests made by local government entities. The total value of these grants is just over $4.5 million.

Eight of the grants are listed under North Carolina’s Building Reuse Program. Three of the grants are going to be used to revitalize vacant buildings and make them suitable for use by private businesses. This will result in new jobs and increased tax revenue in the area.

The remaining five grants for building reuse will be applied to existing facilities that are still in operation. These projects primarily consist of expansion or renovation projects. All grant funds are being paired with significant investments by the existing companies that own the buildings.

The RIA also approved grants for industrial development. These grants are being used directly for county or municipal projects, rather than private industry projects. This includes tasks like expanding existing water and sewer services, as well as improving telecommunications.

In total, Governor Cooper states that these grants will attract over 375 new jobs and result in increased private investment. Current projections on new investments sit at just over $60 million.

Water and Sewer Improvement Projects

The second wave of grants was announced on February 23, 2021. Since they focus on wastewater and sewer services, these grants went before the State Water Infrastructure Authority for approval. The SWIA granted final authorization on February 10^th. The SWIA is an independent entity that is responsible for awarding state and federal funding for wastewater and potable water projects.

The funding allocated for these projects includes a combination of grants and loans totaling roughly $282 million. While this funding is divided among many major projects, one of the most notable is for Davie County.

They will be receiving over $21 million to expand the Cooleemee Water Treatment Plant. Once complete, the expanded capabilities of this facility will allow Davie County officials to replace the Mocksville water treatment facility.

Governor Cooper noted the importance of quality drinking water for the overall health of North Carolina residents. He reiterated the importance of safely disposing of sewer waste for the long-term health of the environment. This commitment to improving North Carolina’s water and wastewater infrastructure will also benefit the economic outlook of residents.

These statewide grant-funded projects will undoubtedly create hundreds of new jobs directly and indirectly. Many of the jobs will require specialized contractor certifications. Since the BCLBGC does not honor licensing from other states, this means that you will need to obtain or renew your North Carolina contractor’s license to be able to participate.

While there are many avenues out there to accomplish this goal, RocketCert provides the most streamlined access to the necessary coursework. Our online resource includes hundreds of courses so that you can complete educational requirements on your schedule.

We have a “No Pass, No Pay Guarantee” and a user-friendly interface to make learning new material easy. We are one of the BCLBGC’s approved North Carolina contractor’s education providers. Find out more about the things we offer today!