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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;
Lowers personal and corporate income taxes
Exempts military pension income from state income tax
Sets aside a record amount of state savings, now $4.25 billion
Raises teacher pay effectively by about 7%
Significantly improves school choice for families
Adds $1.5 billion above the base budget in recurring funds for K-12 education
Invests $1 billion for broadband expansion
Provides $1.7 billion for water and sewer infrastructure
Invests $2.8 million in election cyber security
Includes $100 million in recurring funds for a new state-funded teacher salary supplement for lower-wealth counties to help them recruit and retain high-quality teachers. Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk counties will benefit.
The compromise state budget reflects considerable concessions to Democrats.
When commenting on these achievements Rep. Jake Johnson remarked, "When I ran for office, I made a commitment to fight for western North Carolina and make sure we were not forgotten in Raleigh. With the passage of this budget, that promise was kept. Our communities will see historic investment and our citizens will be able to keep more of their hard-earned money. I along with Sen. Chuck Edwards and Rep. Tim Moffitt will continue addressing the needs of our region and fighting for you in Raleigh so our communities can prosper for years to come."
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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