Counties Amassing Support For Governor McCrory's Connect NC Bond Proposal | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Momentum for Governor Pat McCrory's Connect NC bond proposal continues to build as counties across the state express official support for the initiative. Currituck, Cabarrus, Dare and Sampson Counties have all passed resolutions expressing support for placing the Connect NC bonds on the ballot in November.

    "Local county commissioners understand that new school facilities and superior roads and bridges are long-term investments that will support our growth and make North Carolina more attractive to business and residents," Governor McCrory said. "I commend county leaders who have passed resolutions calling for the voters to decide on these important investments for our state's future."

    The Cabarrus County resolution notes that the Connect NC bond proposal would "create substantial short-term and long-term job growth through projects enhancing North Carolina's readiness for economic growth."

    The Currituck County resolution underscores the urgency to act now, stating, "By not addressing our serious infrastructure deficiencies now, our state will lose its ability to compete in the future, interest rates will go up, costs to taxpayers will increase, congestion will worsen and jobs will not expand at the rate needed to sustain a healthy and vibrant North Carolina."

    All four resolutions called on the General Assembly to allow the voters to decide on the bonds in November.

    "The citizens of North Carolina must be allowed to make the important decision of investing in opportunities provided to our future generations through the Connect NC bond initiative," declared the Dare County resolution.

    "The Board of Commissioners of Sampson County supports Governor McCrory's Connect NC bond initiative and encourages the General Assembly to allow North Carolina citizens to vote on this critical bond proposal to ensure North Carolina's future on the global stage," the Sampson County release reads.

    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