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North Carolina Building Reuse Program (State Rural Grants)
Rural · NC Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division · NC
The North Carolina Building Reuse Program (State Rural Grants) is a state grant from the NC Department of Commerce that helps local governments fund building renovations for expanding businesses that create new jobs in rural, Tier 1, Tier 2, or eligible Tier 3 areas of North Carolina.
The North Carolina Building Reuse Program (State Rural Grants) is a state-level grant administered by the NC Department of Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division. It funds renovation or expansion of vacant or existing commercial buildings in rural North Carolina, with the goal of helping a specific expanding business create new full-time jobs.
Unlike many small-business grants that go directly to a company, this program awards funds to units of local government, which apply on behalf of a business planning to grow in their community. The grant covers a portion of renovation or construction costs — never more than one-half — and requires the local government to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match. This structure means a small-business owner interested in this program should work with their county or municipal economic development office rather than applying directly.
Eligibility is tied to geography: local governments in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties (the state's more economically distressed counties) qualify, as do local governments representing rural census tracts within Tier 3 counties. The underlying purpose is job creation tied to a real, identified business expansion or relocation project.
For a small-business owner in eligible rural areas of North Carolina, this program can be a meaningful source of support for facility costs when growth plans include creating new full-time jobs. However, award amounts, current funding rounds, and detailed eligibility criteria change over time, so applicants should confirm current details directly with the NC Department of Commerce or their local government partner before planning around this funding.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a cash grant, not a loan.
Do I have to repay the funds?
Based on the available facts, this is a grant awarded to local governments, not a loan requiring repayment, but confirm terms at the official source.
Can I, as a business owner, apply directly?
No — the grant is awarded to units of local government, who apply on behalf of a specific expanding business.
Who is eligible to apply?
Units of local government in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, or rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties, applying on behalf of a business creating new full-time jobs.
How much funding is available?
The grant never exceeds one-half of the renovation or construction cost, and a dollar-for-dollar cash match is required; confirm current award caps at the official source.
What is the deadline to apply?
The listing says to check current rounds; confirm the current deadline at the official source.
What can the funds be used for?
Renovation or expansion of vacant or existing commercial buildings to support job creation.
Where do I apply?
Through your local government, via the NC Department of Commerce website at the official source link.
Is this program only for rural areas?
Yes, it targets Tier 1, Tier 2, and eligible rural Tier 3 counties in North Carolina.
Is the grant taxable?
Confirm at the official source; this is not addressed in the available facts.
Who runs this program?
The NC Department of Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division.
Does my business need to create jobs to qualify?
Yes, the local government must apply on behalf of a business that will create new full-time jobs.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official state source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with NC Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division; always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.