The Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants, administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, support downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives in North Carolina’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, and rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties. The grants aim to help local governments enhance downtown districts as economic assets, improve public infrastructure, support public building renovations, and promote mixed-use development. Grants can be up to $850,000 per grantee, with no minimum amount, and must be matched with at least 5 percent local funds. The application deadline is August 22, 2024, and projects must be completed within 36 months of the award.
