Bladen County will move forward with a major economic development opportunity after receiving a $220,000 state grant to renovate a long-vacant industrial facility in Elizabethtown. The funding—approved by the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) as part of its latest statewide awards—will support building improvements that prepare the site for VectorTex USA, LTD, an advanced manufacturing company specializing in technology for the medical device and aquaculture industries.
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The grant is part of the state’s Building Reuse Program, which assists local governments in revitalizing vacant buildings, expanding facilities for existing North Carolina companies, and supporting new health care-related construction. In total, the RIA approved 15 grants worth more than $5 million, with expectations that the public investment will help attract over $104 million in private capital across the state.
Bladen County’s award will help retrofit a 26,400-square-foot building, paving the way for VectorTex USA to begin operations. The project is slated to create 29 new jobs and generate $236,400 in private investment, strengthening the county’s industrial footprint and supporting workforce development in a Tier 1 community.
State leaders emphasized how critical these programs are for rural North Carolina.
“The rural grant programs are vital to North Carolina’s economic prosperity,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “These grant awards are a testament to the assets that attract companies across all sectors to every corner of our state, including a world-class workforce, a central East Coast location, and a great quality of life.”
In addition to the building reuse grant, the RIA also awarded an $850,000 Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account grant to the Town of Bladenboro. That investment will support key wastewater infrastructure upgrades, including a new pump station and force main, ensuring the town can accommodate future industrial and commercial expansion.
Together, the two grants signal continued momentum for economic growth throughout the region. Local leaders expect the investments to help the county attract advanced manufacturers, support job creation, and strengthen long-term resiliency for small communities.
The VectorTex project is the latest example of rural revitalization strategy aligning with private-sector interest—an approach state officials say will remain essential for North Carolina's competitive position.
Originally reported by Greater Fayetteville.
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