Struggling Mill Towns Share $1.5m Windfall

Several textile and mill towns which believe US trade polices have cost them thousands of jobs are to share a $1.5 million government windfall aimed at improving water and sewerage operations.

The towns, many of which are in the traditional textile heartland of North Carolina, have been given the money through an appropriations package approved by Congress last month.

The state has lost nearly 100 textile and apparel plants in the past six years amid fierce competition from overseas rivals in Asia and Latin America.

Several other towns are now hoping to share a similar sum in a bid to improve infrastructure and attract new businesses to the region.