Governor McCrory Visits Stone Mountain To Discuss Connect NC Investments In Northwestern NC | Eastern North Carolina Now

 Roaring Gap, N.C.     Today, Governor Pat McCrory visited Stone Mountain State Park to discuss the Connect NC Bond referendum he signed into law, which if approved by voters in March, will invest $2 billion in education, parks, National Guard facilities, and statewide water and sewer infrastructure. Of that amount, $220 million of Connect NC bond investments are slated for Northwestern North Carolina, including more than $1.4 million at Stone Mountain Park.

 "I am delighted that North Carolina voters will have the opportunity to decide on these important investments for our state's future," said Governor McCrory. "Investments in our state's public infrastructure will allow us to cultivate a stronger economy, educate the workforce of the future and improve North Carolina's quality of life for generations to come, particularly here in the Northwestern part of our state."


 The improvements slated for Stone Mountain Park include expanding and enhancing the visitor center, upgrading ranger offices and increasing space for visitor services, exhibits and educational experiences.

 The bond package supports several other projects in the region, including funding for repairs and renovations at six nearby community colleges, improvements at 10 state parks, construction of two National Guard Regional Readiness Centers and new facilities at Appalachian State University and the North Carolina School of Science and Math Technology and Engineering Building.

 It's been 15 years since the last bond investments were authorized to upgrade North Carolina's infrastructure. In that time, North Carolina has grown by 2 million people in population and the U.S. Census Bureau projects the state will continue to experience healthy population growth for the foreseeable future.

 If approved by North Carolina voters, the Connect NC bond will allow the state to pay for buildings and other assets with a service life of 50-years or more with long-term financing. No tax increases are necessary to finance the bond, given N.C's strong revenue growth and ample debt service capacity.

 North Carolina is one of only 10 states with AAA credit rating from all three major ratings agencies. This top credit rating saves North Carolina taxpayers millions of dollars and will not do anything to jeopardize the AAA credit rating. Because North Carolina is paying off its existing debt rapidly, the state's overall debt levels will not increase with this new bond.




 Click here to view a full list of projects in the Connect NC Bond Act.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov