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The Rural Infrastructure Authority approved eight grant requests to local governments totaling $1.65 million. Gov. Roy Cooper made the announcement on Thursday.

Burke County is getting a $175,000 grant under the existing business building category to support the renovation of a 92,500-square-foot building in Hildebran, according to a release from the state. The site is occupied by MillerKnoll, one of several companies under the Geiger International, Inc. umbrella. It makes seating and tables for health care, higher education, corporate office and residential markets, the release said.

The company is expected to create 47 jobs with the expansion, according to the release.

MillerKnoll said in a release from Burke Development Inc. that it is pleased to unveil plans for a major enhancement of its existing facility. It said the expansion highlights MillerKnoll’s steadfast commitment to growth and innovation within Burke County.

The expansion project will include a redesign of the production floor, the enlargement of restroom facilities and the installation of new equipment to support additional production lines. The money will also pay for upgrades to power distribution, compressed air systems, sprinkler systems and plumbing, the release from BDI said.

The expansion will introduce two new production lines at the facility, increasing production capacity by 25%. The project represents an investment of $1,008,000 in facility upgrades, the Burke release said.

“The expansion will not only advance MillerKnoll’s production capabilities but will also contribute to local economic development by offering substantial employment opportunities across technical, engineering and skilled manufacturing roles,� the release said.

The grant will enable MillerKnoll to enhance its production capabilities, integrate advanced technologies and improve operational efficiency.

“The addition of more high-quality jobs at MillerKnoll will be invaluable to the economy of Burke County as it provides more opportunity for our local residents,� said Jeff Brittain, chairman of Burke County Commissioners. “Expansions and job growth like this are essential for the county moving forward, and we appreciate MillerKnoll’s investment in the county.�

Since the consolidation of two facilities into the current Hildebran location in 2011, the site has experienced significant growth and remains a key driver of MillerKnoll’s business, the BDI release said.

Alan Wood, president and CEO of Burke Development Inc., said there is a 5% required local match to the state grant. The local match will be shared between the county and Hildebran, pending approval at the county commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

BDI thanked its partners for their efforts on the project including the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and Bill Slagle, state director of existing industry expansions. It said other key partners in the project include the North Carolina Department of Commerce Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System, Western Piedmont Community College, the Town of Hildebran and Burke County.

The RIA is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.

Visit the Rural Economic Development Division for more information.