Governor Pat McCrory Praises the Passage of the Connect NC Bonds | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory applauded the passage of the $2 billion Connect NC Bond proposal, which will enable North Carolina to build the infrastructure that will improve the state's quality of life for generations to come.

    "North Carolina has sent a message to the nation that people can come together and work to pass a bond package that will benefit future generations," Governor McCrory said. "I want to thank the voters for saying yes to education, yes to strengthening our National Guard, yes to improving our quality of life by investing in our state parks, and yes to our smaller cities and towns for infrastructure that attract new jobs and strengthen our economy."

    The Connect NC bond will invest $980 million into the state's 17 universities. The vast majority of these improvements will build facilities that will improve teaching and research in the science, technology, engineering and medical fields. An additional $350 million will go to the community colleges, primarily for new construction, repairs and renovations on its 58 campuses.

    Another $309.5 million will be awarded to smaller cities and towns to build and repair water and sewer systems. These investments are crucial to retaining and attracting new jobs outside of the state's metro areas.

    Agriculture and consumers will benefit from Connect NC. Approximately $94 million will be spent to construct a new Agriculture and Consumer Sciences Lab for veterinary, food, drug and motor fuel testing. An additional $85 million will go toward a new Plant Sciences Research Complex at NC State University.

    The National Guard will receive $70 million to rehabilitate Regional Readiness Centers in Burke and Wilkes counties as well as construct a new readiness center on Guilford County. Another $9 million will go toward the competition of the Samarcand Corrections and Law Enforcement Training Center in Moore County.

    To improve North Carolina's quality of life as well as help preserve the state's environment and natural beauty, the Connect NC bond will invest $75 million into our state parks. An additional $25 million will go the North Carolina Zoo for upgrades to service support facilities, trails and exhibits. its long-term growth.

    On Wednesday, Governor McCrory will make three stops around the state to thank the people of North Carolina for their vote of confidence in the state's future. At 10:00 a.m., the governor will be at Jordan Lake State Park at the Ebenezar Access in Apex. The second stop will occur at 1:00 p.m. at the Edward B. Forte Interdisciplinary Research Center at NC A&T University in Greensboro. At 3:30 p.m., Governor McCrory will visit Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte at the Overcash Building.

    For a complete Connect NC project list, click here.

    For a Connect NC project list by region, click here.

    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov