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USDA Under Secretary & NC 1st District Congressman Celebrate Agriculture Grant for City of Wilson

Name
Robert Kerns
City
Wilson
Release Date

$749 thousand RISE Grant will Benefit Local Ag Growers for Generations

WILSON, North CarolinaAugust 14, 2024 - USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden and U.S. Congressman for North Carolina’s 1st District Don Davis met with USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight to discuss the positive impact of a USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant on the city of Wilson, today.

Gooden and Davis met at the city of Wilson’s Gig East Exchange to discuss the positive impact that RISE award of $749 thousand is having on the local community in 2024 and beyond.

“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are partnering with rural communities to expand their regional economies and create high-wage jobs where they are needed most,” Gooden said. “This funding from the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy program will allow the city of Wilson, part of the Rural Partners Network, to work with local and regional organizations to increase the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of farms in the region, creating long-term and sustainable economic growth in the region.”

The RISE grant assisted in the construction of a smart agriculture laboratory with state-of-the-art sensor, communications and data analytics technologies that support innovation and entrepreneurship. This lab comprises smart greenhouse/glasshouse, smart field/farm and smart farmers market components.

Davis, who is a longtime of resident of Eastern North Carolina, knows the positive impact on the North Carolina agriculture this USDA investment is having.

“A state-of-the-art agricultural facility with cutting-edge technology is essential for Wilson County and eastern North Carolina development,” he said. “It will showcase the latest technology for farmers' market components, create good-paying jobs, and play a pivotal role in driving economic growth in our region, which is incredibly exciting.”

The county and city of Wilson are leading the way with expansion in North Carolina.

According to the city’s website, Wilson is fortunate to have the largest manufacturing base in Eastern North Carolina, with five major life-science manufacturing facilities and many other diversified industries.

This growth is expanding into the agriculture space with the $749 thousand RISE grant.


Long time resident of Wilson, Speight is excited to see the opportunities this grant brings to the city.

“When people are talking about the renaissance of communities and counties in North Carolina, the county and city of Wilson are at the center of every conversation,” said Speight. “Through the use of a USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant the city of Wilson built an agriculture lab that is using state-of-the art technology to collect data on soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors that affect crop growth. This investment was made possible through the forward innovation of the Biden-Harris Administration. This is an exciting time to be part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and I am anxious to see the results of this project over the coming years.”

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.

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