Oakboro has been chosen by the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority to receive a $2.5 million grant to help the town’s water and sewer infrastructure support a site for future industrial development, according to a press release from N.C. Sen. Carl Ford’s office.

“This $2.5 million grant from the NC Rural Infrastructure Authority is very much appreciated, and it will help the Town of Oakboro mitigate the financial cost of extending public utilities for this significant economic development project,” County Manager Andy Lucas said.

The fund will go towards water and sewer infrastructure improvements associated with the economic development project codenamed Project Blue Sky, Lucas said.

The term “Project Blue Sky” has been used by local officials as a codename for the long-rumored relocation of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry to the Oakboro area.

A bill recently passed through the N.C. General Assembly and signed into law appeared to provide additional economic incentives to bring 400 jobs or more to counties with populations of less than 63,000. This led to further speculation the downtown Charlotte company would soon announce a move to Stanly County. But so far, that has not occurred.

Oakboro also received a $2.5 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation to assist in water and sewer infrastructure improvements, Lucas said.

Lucas added there will be a public hearing to approve all incentives and funding at the appropriate time.