Development Incentive Grant (DIG) Program

The Development Incentive Grant (DIG) program is designed to accomplish a combination of goals related to economic development and community development efforts such as economic vitality and sustainability, targeted in the Mission 2030 Plan in an effort to reverse 20 years of economic decline. The DIG program is a joint effort between the City of Morganton and Burke County.

Capital investment is one of the methods required to advance community wide long range economic and community planning goals. For a period of time, financial incentives will be made available for both large and small economic development projects determined to meet the general and specific guidelines established. DIG funds can only be made available to those projects determined otherwise unfeasible or unachievable “but for” the combined efforts of public and private participation. The City will designate Development Incentive Grant Zones (DIG Zones) within areas of the city that were determined key economic growth areas by the Mission 2030 Plan. The objective is to encourage unique projects within these zones. The projects must comply with community adopted standards and program guidelines established for that particular DIG Zone.The first four designated zones within the City of Morganton are the Downtown DIG Zone (see map below), the Hospitality DIG Zone, the Jamestown Road DIG Zone and the River District DIG Zone.

The purpose of the grant funding is to encourage projects that meet economic and community development goals outlined in the Mission 2030 Plan such as:

• Expand the Morganton economy to create more jobs, with an emphasis on providing job opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed.
• Increase the property tax base of the city and county and maintain a future diversity of opportunities for its citizens, and prevent further erosion of existing developed areas.
• Develop underutilized or abandoned properties through adaptive reuse so that those properties may once again contribute positively to the community and eliminate the blighting influences they now have throughout the city
• Support neighborhood retail services, enhance commercial corridors and boost employment hubs as identified in Mission 2030.
• Support redevelopment efforts that enhance and preserve unique urban features and amenities, including areas such as downtown, the river district, historic neighborhoods, destination retail areas and major entry corridors.

For a City News Release with more information, click here.

For the DIG project website with resources, news, maps and more, click here.

For a PDF copy of the Mission 2030 Plan, click here.

For further information or questions, contact Development & Design at 828-438-5260.