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WNC SCORES BIG IN STATE BUDGET

Raleigh, N.C. – In a joint press release Wednesday, Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson), Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-Henderson), and Rep. Jake Johnson (R-Henderson) announce that $292.2 million of funding from the recently enacted state budget will be coming back to Western North Carolina. This money will fund a wide array of projects. See the attached page for a specific list of these projects.

“I am thrilled to have earned the role of chairman of an appropriations committee from where I could partner with Rep. Moffitt and Rep. Johnson to ensure our WNC voice was heard loud and clear. This budget echos our voices." Sen. Chuck Edwards reported.

Rep. Tim Moffit added, "Conservative reform, including prudent spending and lower taxes, has supercharged North Carolina's economy-even through the pandemic. This budget builds upon that success and guarantees we are financially prepared for the future, whatever it might hold."

On the state level, some of the most significant elements of the bipartisan deal;

Conservation efforts budgeted for the state, of which WNC counties are historically large beneficiaries include:

Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will receive $17,300,000

Parks and Recreation Trust Fund will receive $91,000,000

Clean Water Management Trust Fund will receive $100,000,000

Readers should take note of the comprehensive list of budget items shown on the following page for projects benefiting WNC.

Warren Wilson College grant; 252,500 Buncombe

Montreat College COVID-19 response grant; 434,448 Buncombe

AB Tech Pratt Whitney training facility; 5,000,000 Buncombe

UNCA undergrad student enrollment and success funding, debt reduction, scholarships; 10,000,000 Buncombe

MAHEC new parking deck; 10,500,000 Buncombe

Pisgah View State Park for accelerated purchase, renovations, and opening plan; 12,200,000 Buncombe

Montreat College new cybersecurity program; 30,000,000 Buncombe

I-26 interchange to complete commitment to secure Pratt & Whitney economic development project; 30,000,000 Buncombe

Henderson County will receive a Deputy Clerk of Court position; 40,000 Henderson

Crossnore School & Children's Home grant; 67,000 Henderson

Flat Rock Playhouse grant; 100,000 Henderson

Hendersonville Rescue Mission is eligible for a grant to address human trafficking; 125,385 Henderson

Green River paddle trail access grant; 150,000 Henderson

Henderson/Transylvania/Polk counties will receive an additional district court judge; 174,000 Hend/Trans/Polk

Henderson County local Health Department grant; 190,747 Henderson

City of Hendersonville capital project; 250,000 Henderson

Blue Ridge Community College public safety training center equipment; 250,000 Henderson/Transylvania

Lake Hosea dam repair; 300,000 Henderson

Blue Ridge Community College Skilled Trade program start-up funding; 300,000 Henderson/Transylvania

Laurel Park stream restoration; 317,000 Henderson

Ecusta Trail Greenway grant; 600,000 Henderson/Transylvania

Dupont State Forest visioning plan; 750,000 Henderson/Transylvania

Henderson County teacher salary supplements; 826,979 Henderson

Henderson County Bat Fork Stream restoration; 950,000 Henderson

Henderson County French Broad River restoration; 1,000,000 Henderson

First Contact Ministries for a new substance abuse treatment center; 1,500,000 Henderson

Henderson County access to One NC economic development funding; 3,000,000 Henderson

City of Hendersonville for wastewater plant upgrade; 5,000,000 Henderson

WNC High Hazard Dam repair or removal; 7,200,000 WNC

Polk County teacher salary supplements; 357,085 Polk

Lake Adger Dam repair; 6,500,000 Polk

Town of Tryon water/sewer project; 425,000 Polk

City of Saluda water/sewer project; 160,000 Polk

Brevard Station Museum grant; 10,000 Transylvania

Transylvania County local Health Department Grant; 120,101 Transylvania

City of Brevard capital project; 125,000 Transylvania

Transylvania County capital project; 125,000 Transylvania

Transylvania County Schools for Smart School Bus pilot program; 309,500 Transylvania

Transylvania County teacher salary supplements; 319,538 Transylvania

Brevard College COVID-19 response grant; 417,061 Transylvania

Muddy Sneakers outdoor science education program; 500,000 Transylvania

City of Brevard capital project; 700,000 Transylvania

Transylvania County for Water/Sewer Project; 7,000,000 Transylvania

Dept. of Agriculture Soil & Water scientist will be added and stationed in Fletcher, NC; 74,000 WNC

WNC recreational water quality testing recurring appropriation; 200,000 WNC

WNC landslide mapping; 369,721 WNC

WNC Crime Lab additional scientist; 403,118 WNC

WNC Ag Center grant; 2,030,000 WNC

WNC Disaster Relief for crop loss, home and bridge repair, cleanup resulting from Tropical Storm Fred; 150,000,000 WNC

Restoration of Hemlocks infected by woolly adelgid; 600,000 WNC

TOTAL = $292,223,183

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