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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh recently announced the department is investing $19 million to build and improve critical community facilities in North Carolina.

This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care, education and public safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities across the state.

Two programs fund the loans and grants, including Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants and Community Facilities Disaster Grants.

“Rural Development is in a unique position the help rural communities of North Carolina rebuild infrastructure and be able to provide essential services,” said Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “These investments support the local economy by making rural communities, attractive, economically viable and safe places to live, work and gather. This helps create and save jobs by attracting and retaining employers and workers.”

In northeastern North Carolina, two projects are funded:

– Pocosin Arts Inc. will use a $623,000 Community Facilities Grant and Disaster Grants to renovate three buildings. This renovation project will consist of three buildings to be converted into studios and community event space with fully equipped classrooms, offices, exhibition and gallery space.

– Swan Quarter Volunteer Fire Department will use a $321,000 Community Facilities Disaster Grant to construct a substation and purchase fire equipment for Swan Quarter Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. The new facility will have drive-through equipment bay with two doors at each end which will house up to four fire trucks. The building will contain a commercial grade kitchen, training room, two offices, American Disabilities Act compliant bathrooms with showers, as well as the equipment bays.

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