Aurora receives $1.25 Million for industrial park

AURORA, N.C. (WITN) - Half a million dollars is being awarded to one Eastern Carolina town to help support economic development.

On Thursday, the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure announced the $500,000 grant for Aurora.

The grant, paired with a previous grant for $750,000 from the North Carolina Industrial Development Fund-Utility Account, is going to be used to complete infrastructure and site development of the Aurora Industrial Park.

In 2019, the town received $200,000 from Golden Leaf Foundation and used it for site engineering and due diligence studies of the 32-acre park located on Highway 33.

Mayor Clif Williams says he recognized the need for a “contractor village” to accommodate companies who worked on-site at Nutrien, Beaufort County’s largest private employer.

Beaufort County commissioners immediately signed on to the project and approved a loan for the town to purchase the land.

A news release said the funding will help create an economic boost for the area and serve as an important first step in the Aurora Strategic Plan.

“This is a great day for Aurora. The Aurora Industrial Park is the first phase of renewed economic development that answers both the needs of Nutrien and those of our community”, said the mayor.

“We are so happy for Aurora! This will allow us to recruit new business and industry that will increase the tax base and create job opportunities for the citizens of Aurora and Beaufort County” Brad Hufford, Beaufort County Economic Development director said.

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