NC H1009

Appropriates $21,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support economic development capacity in distressed counties, with $7,000,000 allocated to each of three eligible entities: the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Government, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

Eligible recipients are counties and cities located in the 20 most distressed counties in North Carolina as ranked pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.08, all of which may apply for grant funding.

Grant funds may be used for leadership conferences, training workshops, scholarships, MPA fellowships in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government, and other capacity-building purposes approved by eligible entities and the Department of Commerce.

Eligible entities must execute reciprocal agreements with the Department of Commerce detailing how funds will be distributed to qualifying local governments and specifying grant administration responsibilities before any funds are allocated.

Eligible entities and the Department must report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Economic Development and Global Engagement by March 1, 2025, documenting the number of grants awarded, total funding amounts, and purposes of grant funding.