Rural Building Reuse Program

The Rural Building Reuse Program, administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, is a state-level grant initiative aimed at fostering economic development in rural areas of North Carolina. This program is facilitated by the Rural Economic Development Division and ultimately overseen by the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA). The initiative seeks to promote private sector job creation by providing financial support to local governments for building renovations, upfits, and improvements. These improvements must directly result in the creation of new, full-time jobs and occur on real property situated within eligible rural communities. The program offers support under three primary funding categories: Vacant Building, Existing Business Building, and Rural Health Care. For Vacant Building grants, the structure in question must have remained unoccupied for a minimum of three months before the application deadline. Funding can be used for internal renovations including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, carpentry, drywall, and painting, as long as improvements are within the building's existing footprint. Existing Business Building grants are for companies that have occupied the property for at least 12 months and meet local wage standards while offering at least 50% employer-paid health benefits. Rural Health Care grants allow licensed health care entities—such as hospitals, hospice centers, mental health providers, and elder care facilities—to renovate, expand, or construct facilities. Only local governments are eligible to apply, specifically those located within Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, or within designated rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties as defined by North Carolina General Statutes. The program does not accept applications directly from private companies or non-governmental organizations. The grant amount cannot exceed 50% of the total renovation or construction costs, and a dollar-for-dollar cash match is required. Additionally, all awarded projects must demonstrate the creation of the promised jobs and maintain those positions for at least six consecutive months within the two-year grant period. Failure to do so will trigger claw-back provisions, requiring repayment of the grant. Applications are reviewed and awarded by the RIA, which meets six times annually. The upcoming application deadlines for 2026 are: April 23, June 18, August 20, and October 22, with corresponding award announcements typically occurring two months later. This regular schedule supports recurring application cycles. Specific application materials can be accessed through the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s grant portal. There is no pre-application phase such as a concept paper or letter of intent. Instead, applications are submitted directly by eligible local governments. The submission process is competitive, and awards are made based on project location, job creation metrics, and overall economic impact. While detailed evaluation criteria are not outlined in the source, the emphasis on job creation and local economic benefits suggests these are central to the review process. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Hazel Edmond, Director of Rural Engagement & Investment, via mobile at 984-297-5082 or email at [email protected]. The most recent modification to the program webpage occurred on August 30, 2024, confirming the currency of the published information. Additional program support is available through the North Carolina Department of Commerce at its headquarters in Raleigh, NC.

Engage early through the required pre-application call; ensure job creation documentation matches state wage standards and insurance criteria.