Special to Iredell Free News

The City of Statesville has been awarded a $200,00 grant from the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) to help attract a manufacturer to an existing facility in the city.

ZNDUS Inc., a global manufacturer of temporary fencing and pedestrian barricades, is planning to open its first domestic manufacturing operation in a 72,210-square-foot building in Statesville. The company plans to invest more than $700,00 in the project.

The plant is expected to create 34 job.

The project was one of 17 grants worth a total of $6.57 million approved by the RIA and announced by N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland on Thursday. The requests include commitments to create a total of 377 jobs. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $23 million in private investment.

“Communities across our state are going through challenging times right now, and we must continue to help rural North Carolina prepare for future economic growth,” Copeland said in a news release. “Rural Infrastructure Authority grants provide needed support for job creation in our rural areas, which are appealing places to live, work and grow a business.”

The Building Reuse program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties and in rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s team of rural economic development professionals supports the RIA’s work. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division. Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.

Learn More

Visit https://www.znd.com/us/ to learn more about ZNDUS Inc.