Building Reuse Program Connecting for the Future: A Gathering of NC Food Councils Thursday, December 4, 2014 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION RURAL GRANTS/PROGRAMS NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION RURAL GRANTS/PROGRAMS

The Building Reuse Program under the Rural Grants/Programs Section of the North Carolina Department of Commerce will provide grants/loans to local governments. Three categories of funding are available: Vacant Building Category Existing Business Building Category Rural Health Care Category

Who’s Eligible? Eligible applicants are units of local government located in either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, or a rural census tract in a Tier 3 county. In Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, priority will be given to towns or communities with populations less than 5,000. As prescribed in N.C.G.S. 143B (a)(2) a rural census tract is an area having a population density of less than 500 people per square mile according to the most recent decennial federal census.

General Highlights – All Categories Local governments must apply for funding in conjunction with a private business that will create new, full-time jobs. Grant funds will be awarded to the unit of local government and then the funds will be loaned to the property owner as a deferred forgivable loan. The loan will be forgiven once the job creation goal has been met. The new jobs committed must pay at least minimum wage and work at least 35 hour per week. Part-time and/or FTE’s are not eligible.

General Highlights – All Categories (continued) If one or more jobs that are committed are not created, then the property owner must repay for each job not created. The local government must contribute at least a cash match 5% of the grant amount. The business or property owner must provide a match equal to the grant amount. Eligible expenses dated after the grant award include materials and labor to install HVAC, electrical, plumbing, flooring, carpentry, drywall, paint, etc. Awards vary according to the location and type of project. The maximum grant award is $500,000 or one-half the project cost, whichever is less.

Vacant Building Category Buildings must be vacant for at least three months prior to the application deadline. In Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, projects are eligible for grants between $5,000 to $12,500 per new, full-time job, for a maximum grant award of $500,000 or half of the project cost, whichever is less. In a Tier 3 rural census tract area, projects are eligible for grants at $5,000 per new, full-time job for a maximum grant award of $250,000 or half of the project cost, whichever is less.

Existing Business Building Category Company must be operating in the state of North Carolina for at least 12 months. Company should meet the weekly wage standard and provide at least 50% benefits to employees In Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, projects are eligible for grants between $5,000 to $10,000 per new, full-time job, for a maximum grant award of $500,000 or half of the project cost, whichever is less. In a Tier 3 rural census tract area, projects are eligible for grants at $5,000 per new, full-time job for a maximum grant award of $250,000 or half of the project cost, whichever is less.

Rural Health Care Category The health care entity must be licensed by the state of North Carolina In Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, projects are eligible for grants between $5,000 to $10,000 per new, full-time job, for a maximum grant award of $500,000 or half of the project cost, whichever is less. In a Tier 3 rural census tract area, projects are eligible for grants at $5,000 per new, full-time job for a maximum grant award of $250,000 or half of the project cost, whichever is less.

City of Elizabethtown Cape Fear Farmer’s Market $168,000 Renovation of a former Red and White grocery store

Brunswick County Lockwood Folly Marketplace $50,000 Sells locally grown, organic and free-range food products.

Next Application Deadlines January 7, 2015 March 10, 2015 May 5, 2015 Contact Information Hazel Edmond Program Manager, Building Reuse Program