Federal New Market Tax Credits are helping transform abandoned areas and boost local communities in North Carolina and across the nation.

In Greensboro, the historic Revolution Mill has undergone a dramatic transformation, turning a century-old textile factory into a vibrant hub for business and community life. This revival was driven by the Federal New Market Tax Credit Program, showcasing its effectiveness in revitalizing economically distressed areas.

Emma Haney, director of business development and project management with Self Help Credit Union, highlights the program as an important tool for community development and economic growth.

"There's opportunity for a lot of job creation and retention, so that's the economic-development component," Haney said. "That goal is addressed by creating new jobs in construction and in the end product, so jobs that are retained in the area, jobs that are created in the area because these new facilities are being invested in."

The redevelopment of Revolution Mill has generated 315 construction jobs and 323 new permanent jobs. It also serves as a home to more than 140 business, 1250 workers and about 200 mixed-income apartments.

Haney noted the impact of Revolution Mill's transformation extends beyond its walls. The renewed interest in the area has spurred further development, with new businesses and residential projects enhancing the community's vibrancy and economic prospects.

"Another one of those vacant textile mills that's just right across the street from Revolution Mill was taken on by a development team and now provides long-term affordable-housing options just across the street from our investment," she added.

Revolution Mill's $38 million project was made possible use of $5.5 million in New Market Tax Credits. Haney added this is just one example of how targeted financial incentives can stimulate growth and renewal in struggling communities, promoting sustainable economic development and revitalization.

Electric-vehicle owners in North Dakota have long called for more action to boost the state's charging station network. There continues to be mixed messages policy-wise, but officials are moving forward on funding opportunities.

As part of federal funding awarded to all states, North Dakota is now taking applications for private entities to tap into these dollars and place fast-charging stations along Interstates 94 and 29.

Russ Buchholz, innovation manager with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, said a lack of these options has kept North Dakota's EV adoption rate low. But he hopes this latest step will inspire more confidence among current owners, as well as other consumers.

"If they know they can travel through our state pretty much at ease, and these are Level 3 chargers -- so it would take roughly about 15 minutes, maybe a half-hour to charge their vehicle -- I think there'll be a little acceptance," he explained.

Buchholz added this might convince more out-state-travelers to pass through North Dakota. The federal program pays up to 80% of project costs, but state lawmakers heavily restricted government agencies, including municipalities, from participating.

Separately, Gov. Doug Burgum has publicly criticized the movement, but ultimately agreed for the state to join regional planning for EV infrastructure.

In an oil-producing state with a largely rural backdrop, Buchholz admits opinions on EVs can be strong. He said if not enough applicants come forward to construct and own privately operated charging stations, they'll have to go back to the Legislature in hopes government agencies will get their chance.

"And that would allow, I'll say, a little more freedom and maybe a better partnership, " Buchholz continued.

No matter the political appetite, Buchholz predicts more of the transportation sector will be running on electric sources in the future. That's even with North Dakota now having fewer than one thousand registered EVs. He pointed to other developments -- such as construction equipment maker Bobcat producing electric machinery in Bismarck -- as examples that might help win over skeptics.


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Representatives from Union Pacific Railroad will attend a town hall meeting in Council Bluffs tomorrow night to hear about the so-called "triangle of death" being created by the alignment and traffic on some of its tracks.

The chronically blocked tracks are frustrating to residents but also potentially deadly, some residents said. Council Bluffs used to be home to eight rail companies. They've consolidated to four, but there are still 48 crossings in town and people in about 50 homes are trapped by tracks on two sides.

Andrew Whitehill, a resident of Council Bluffs, said he sees drivers every day create dangerous situations in a residential area where children are playing.

"'I can't afford to get stuck at this train,'" Whitehill said drivers are thinking. "They'll see the train coming and will then drive a few blocks down and try to speed past it to beat it, because they're not trying to get trapped in the triangle."

It is more of an issue now because as rail carriers have consolidated, the trains making cross-country trips are longer, stretching well beyond the rail yard and onto tracks in the city, blocking crossings. The town hall is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the police department building. Union Pacific has said it is committed to a fix.

Matt Walsh, mayor of Council Bluffs, said Union Pacific representatives expressed surprise over the blocked tracks when he met with them but added the company is willing to make changes, including by installing new technology.

"They can send a signal to a beacon, to alert people that the tracks are blocked," Walsh explained.

While the fix could help keep people from getting into the triangle in the first place, it does not do anything to help those who are already there. Union Pacific has told the mayor the company will schedule trains differently to avoid having both sets of tracks occupied at once and a new yard master will make sure it happens.


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Clean-energy advocates in Maine are applauding an expansion of the state's electric vehicle charging network. State officials recently announced the addition of seventeen new high-speed electric-vehicle charging stations, aimed at filling gaps on some of the most heavily used highways and roads.

Michael Stoddard, executive director with Efficiency Maine, said federal funds are helping place chargers in more rural areas, where swapping out older vehicles has been a challenge.

"People will know that the next time they're shopping for a car, they really can consider getting an EV as an option," he explained.

The new chargers will be installed over the next year and were funded in part by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Stoddard added the goal is to ultimately have a publicly-accessible EV charger located every 50 miles.

Roughly half of Maine's greenhouse-gas emissions come from the transportation sector. State officials have set a goal of cutting all emissions nearly in half over the next several years - ultimately reaching net-zero by 2045. It's estimated the state will need more than 200,000 light-duty EVs on the road to meet that target. Stoddard says expanding the EV infrastructure is a step in the right direction.

"If we can make real progress over the next five years on how we heat our homes and businesses and how we drive our cars and trucks, we will be really on the right track to meeting our climate action goals," he said.

Stoddard added Mainers interested in buying an electric vehicle can benefit from federal tax credits aimed at increasing EV sales. New vehicles are eligible for up to $7,500 in federal credits while state rebates can knock even more off the manufacturer's retail price.


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