Hagan announces federal money for North Carolina
WASHINGTON, D.C.
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D-N.C.) announced today North Carolina will receive more than $5.2 million in funding as part of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which is expected to be voted on next week.
“I am thrilled to announce North Carolina will receive this funding for projects that will help put people back to work across the state,” Hagan said. “These funds will create jobs, expand access to education, provide hard-working North Carolinians with greater access to affordable housing, strengthen our infrastructure and keep our communities safe.
“There are nearly 397,000 North Carolinians out of work right now and as we work hard to get our economy back on track, many of these projects will help spur the economic growth we need.”
The funds were requested for 13 projects across North Carolina by former Senator Elizabeth Dole.
Among those receiving funding as part of the bill is the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, which will receive $380,000 for transforming vacant and blighted properties along the Statesville Avenue Corridor into affordable housing. The money will allow CMHP to move forward with the redevelopment and renovation of the Statesville Avenue Corridor Plan to offer private affordable housing opportunities for an underserved section of Charlotte.
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington School of Nursing will receive $167,000 for construction, renovation and equipment to expand the school’s capacity.
Eastern North Carolina faces a severe nursing shortage and by expanding UNCW’s School of Nursing, the university will not only create good-paying construction jobs as it builds state-of-the-art facilities for its students, but will also increase its ability to train nurses to serve the people of eastern North Carolina.
Other projects receiving funds are:
• $1,900,000 for the North Carolina Statewide Ferry System
• $950,000 for upgrading U.S. 17 to an expressway facility along with the extension of Commerce Drive and White Street in Onslow County
• $712,500 for Appalachian State University to study the effects of economic growth resulting from viticulture and agritourism in western North Carolina
• $475,750 for the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research
• $285,000 for the renovation of existing buildings for the revitalization of downtown Rocky Mount
• $188,000 to the Army Corps of Engineers for Bogue Inlet
• $50,000 to the Lenoir Police Department for law enforcement communications
• $50,000 for gang prevention and intervention training, project marketing, and outreach to hot
spots
• $50,000 for the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association to equip a training facility
Additionally, the legislation gives the Army Corps of Engineers the authority to perform work on the Swannanoa River Watershed and Belhaven Harbor.
