Governor McCrory's Connect NC Bond Proposals Gain Support Across North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C. — Cities across North Carolina are officially expressing support for placing Governor Pat McCrory's Connect NC bond proposal on the ballot in November. The City of Morganton, the Town of Kernersville and Elizabeth City have all passed resolutions in support of the Connect NC bond package.

    "Local leaders understand that long-term improvements to our roads, universities and community colleges are essential in order to grow our economy and improve our quality of life," Governor McCrory said. "I commend North Carolina city and town leaders who have passed resolutions calling for the voters to decide on these important investments for our state's future."

    The $2.85 billion bond proposal would connect North Carolina through strategic investments in roads, education, public health, parks and our military. Projects include statewide investments in both small agricultural areas and large urban cities.

    "These strategic investments, as proposed, are designed to benefit every community across this great state and will create jobs and improve the quality of life and environment for every North Carolinian," the Elizabeth City resolution reads.

    All three resolutions urged the General Assembly to allow the voters to decide on the bonds in November.

    "In order to improve public infrastructure and educational facilities throughout the state, the Town of Kernersville hereby supports placement of the Connect NC Bond Initiative on the November 2015 ballot," declared the Kernersville resolution.

    The Morganton resolution was direct in its call for a vote of the citizens, stating, "It is appropriate and reasonable that the voters of North Carolina have a direct voice."

    Connect NC is targeted investments in North Carolina's roads, education, public health, parks and military. From small farming towns to large cities, Connect NC projects will benefit every community across the state while creating thousands of jobs along the way.

    The proposal includes two bonds of approximately $1.5 billion each — one for roads, the other for infrastructure — which would go before the voters for approval either in October or November. The proposed transportation bond would pay for 27 permit-ready highway projects throughout North Carolina that have completed environmental documents.

    In addition, the bond would fund the paving of 176 unpaved secondary roads totaling 113 miles. Because of the state's fiscal strength and strong balance sheet, no tax increase is needed to fund the bonds and the state's AAA bond rating would be preserved.

    To learn more about Connect NC, visit http://www.connect.nc.gov

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov