Municipalities Advocate for Governor McCrory’s Connect NC Bond Proposal | Eastern NC Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor McCrory's Connect NC bond proposal continues to gain the support of municipalities across North Carolina.

    The cities of Kannapolis and Concord, Onslow County and the towns of Fremont, Walkertown and Rural Hall are the latest municipalities to pass resolutions expressing official support for placing the Connect NC bond initiative on the ballot in November.

    "Local leaders understand that long-term, targeted investments in our education and transportation infrastructure will cultivate a stronger economy and improve North Carolina's quality of life for future generations," Governor McCrory said. "I commend municipalities across the state for their call to let the voters decide on these important investments."

    "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 Fremont resolution reads.

    The Kannapolis resolution underscores the dire need for infrastructure improvements in our state. "Fifteen years have passed since the state's last general obligation bond was authorized for the improvement of public infrastructure, resulting in years of deferred maintenance," the resolution asserts.

    Several municipalities underscored the urgency to invest now. "Interest rates are at historical lows, and it has never been less expensive to make long-term investments," the Walkertown resolution emphasizes.

    The Concord release reaffirmed, "North Carolina has a history of using long-term financing to meet infrastructure needs, and it is considered prudent to invest when current rates are at historic lows."

    All six resolutions support adding the bond package to the ballot in November. "In order to improve public infrastructure and educational facilities throughout the state, the Town of Rural Hall Board of Councilmen hereby supports placement of the Connect NC bond initiative on the November 2015 ballot," affirms the Rural Hall resolution.

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

    The expressions of support by Kannapolis, Concord, Onslow County, Fremont, Walkertown and Rural Hall come on the heels of resolutions of official support from Elizabeth City, Morganton and Dare, Cabarrus, Currituck and Sampson Counties for placing the Connect NC bond initiative on the ballot in November.

    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 transportation proposal would pay for 27 permit-ready highway projects throughout North Carolina that have completed environmental documents. In addition, Connect NC 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