NCRIA approves more than $1.1 million in grants to help with rail access

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (NCRIA) approved four grants totaling more than $1.1 million that will improve rail access for businesses in the state.

 

Three Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) were approved for Davie, Randolph and Robeson Counties.

The town of Mocksville (Davie County) was awarded $221,760 to construct 732 linear feet of rail spur to support an expansion of Avgol American’s existing manufacturing plant. The additional rail spur is needed to handle the raw materials needed in the manufacturing process. The company has committed to create 50 full time jobs.

In Asheboro (Randolph County), $490,000 will be used to provide two rail spurs that will allow Technimark to construct a new 153,000 square foot manufacturing plant. Technimark is the fourth largest employer in Randolph County and manufacturers injected molded packaging material for companies such as Unilever, Dole Foods and Proctor and Gamble. The company will employ 163 people at the new plant and invest $30 million for construction and new equipment.

Robeson County was granted $240,000 to construct a 2,100 linear feet rail spur to allow Asbury Carbons to locate at the vacant Fex Straw plant. The company processes graphite and other carbons for use in brake linings, lubricants and powdered metal products. Asbury Carbons has committed to creating 16 new full time jobs.

Additionally, a $208,000 Industrial Development Fund Utility Account Grant was approved to assist with a rail siding on behalf of Asbury Graphite in Robeson County. The company processes graphite and other carbons for use in brake linings, lubricants and powdered metal products. The company has committed to creating 16 new full time jobs.

The NCRIA was established as part of the Rural Economic Development Division at the North Carolina Department of Commerce to assist with the review and approval of grants for rural areas in the state.

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