NCRR Announces New Economic Development Programs

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The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) on April 16 announced the launch of two new economic development programs: the Micro-Grant Program and the Brownfields Program, with the goal of "promoting economic growth across the state–leading to increased job creation and boosting freight rail usage."

These programs, NCRR says, are a testament to the company’s 175-year legacy of contributing to North Carolina’s economy and fostering partnerships with the state and local communities.

NCRR is allocating $1,000,000 for its new Micro-Grant Program. Applicants can apply for funding for Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, wetland and stream delineations, boundary and/or ALTA surveys, geotechnical reports, title opinions, and more. This new program, NCRR says, will provide real dollars to communities that need it most. Microgrants will help eliminate site development barriers of entry and create a pipeline of investment in new sites around North Carolina.

According to NCRR, the Brownfields Program supplements the company’s existing Build Ready Sites Program and will allocate additional funding for sites considered a “brownfield site” by the North Carolina Brownfields Program. These additional funds, NCRR says, will increase the inventory and pipeline for available sites to attract business to North Carolina.

“We’re thrilled to unveil our new economic development programs, including an expansion of our Build Ready Sites Program, to include funding for brownfield sites, as well as the introduction of our Micro-Grant Program,” said NCRR Chief Commercial Officer Trish Haver. “By putting collaboration at the core of everything we do, NCRR is helping to empower communities around our state.”

Availability for the Brownfields Program will be directly attached to Build Ready Sites projects. Applications will open in the summer 2024. For the Micro-Grant Program, applicants can refer to ncrr.com for instructions. Applications will open on May 1, 2024.