Summary:

The Utility Account provides funding for the construction of public infrastructure to a site in order to enable a company to locate or expand.

To be eligible for funding from the Utility Account, the Secretary of Commerce must determine: The project is in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county; Jobs created (in no more than three years) will have a measurable, favorable impact on the project's immediate location and will be commensurate with the size of the grant. The application must show the number and types of jobs to be created; Applicant has demonstrated capability to operate the facility; Funding will not result in abandonment of an existing facility, except for obsolescence, lack of labor or site limitations, and The proposed project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment.

Eligible Recipients:

Local Government

Eligible Recipients Detail:

North Carolina’s Utility Account provides infrastructure grants to local governments in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties.

Eligible Purpose:

Last Mile Infrastructure; Middle Mile Infrastructure; General Infrastructure (Attached to Job Creation)

Eligible Purpose Detail:

The Economic Infrastructure Program provides funding for the construction of public infrastructure to a site, in order to enable a company to locate or expand. Infrastructure must be publicly-owned and maintained. The applicant must demonstrate that the project is expected to lead to job creation in the near future Eligible uses include:

-Upgrade or repair of public drinking water or wastewater treatment plants
-Upgrade, extension or repair of public water or sewer lines
-Extension of publicly owned natural gas lines (with an executed pipeline construction, operating and resale agreement)
-Installation or extension of public broadband infrastructure
-Construction of publicly owned access roads not owned or funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation
-Construction of public rail spur improvements