Governor McCrory’s Connect NC Bond Proposal Wins Support of Chambers of Commerce | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.- Local chambers of commerce across the state are lining up in support of Governor Pat McCrory's Connect NC bond proposal.

    The Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce have both passed positions of official support for placing the Connect NC bond initiative on the ballot in November.

    "Local business leaders understand that long-term investments in our education and transportation infrastructure are vital to our future competitiveness," Governor McCrory said. "I applaud local chambers for their call to let the voters decide on these important investments."

    "In order to improve the economy and quality of life in North Carolina, and to better ensure the safety of our citizens, it is resolved that the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce does hereby endorse and support efforts to pass a long-term funding program for transportation that includes placing the Connect NC bond package on the November ballot," the resolution reads.

    The Rowan County Chamber has taken an official position of support stating, "The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has taken the following business advocacy position and we are respectfully requesting your support for Governor McCrory's Connect NC bond package."

    The expressions of support from the Winston-Salem and Rowan County chambers of commerce come in the wake of the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Advisory Committee and the Winston-Salem MPO Transportation Advisory Committee passing resolutions of official support 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 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