Multiple economic development experts stressed to legislators Thursday the importance of infrastructure to economic growth in the state. Addressing members of the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement (
EDGE) Oversight Committee, the speakers highlighted broadband infrastructure as part of the primary infrastructure investments that must be made to attract and support business, in addition to water/wastewater, transportation, electric, and natural gas systems. Their
comments dovetailed with a
recent League report that highlighted the potential role of local governments in partnering with the private sector to supply broadband infrastructure. This focus on broadband extends local governments’ historic role of providing basic infrastructure to 21st-Century communications systems.
Leaders of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the N.C. Chamber, N.C. Rural Center, Charlotte Chamber, and Wilson Economic Development Council also pressed legislators for other state-level economic development support. Other top requests from this group focused on the need for a workforce where workers’ skills matched those sought by employers; more money to support recruitment of direct foreign investment; and continued support of urban economies that feed and grow surrounding rural areas.
In the lead-up to the legislature’s short session, scheduled to begin May 16, committees like EDGE may propose legislation for consideration in that legislative session. While the EDGE Committee did not vote on any proposals at its meeting this week, Committee Co-Chair
Sen. Harry Brown told members to expect one more meeting prior to the start of the short session. Such a meeting would be the time for any committee-supported economic development proposals to move forward. Throughout the interim, this committee has discussed
revisions to the economic tier system that measures economic distress. That topic did not receive attention at this week’s meeting. Contact:
Erin Wynia
Local officials looking to increase the availability of broadband in their communities should make plans to attend the League-sponsored NC Hearts Gigabit Interactive. The April 20 forum in Raleigh will gather people from across the state to discuss how to bring broadband networks to local communities and make them more economically resilient. Attend to learn from an elite group of state and national experts on community-led broadband efforts, including NCLM broadband report co-author Joanne Hovis, president of CTC Technology and Energy and a recognized expert on communications policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Gov. Roy Cooper will open the daylong conference, former Gov. James B. Hunt will serve as the keynote speaker, and Rep. Craig Horn will discuss the importance of internet access in our schools. Attendees will benefit from hearing a playbook of actionable steps they can take back home to advance local broadband projects. Register now!
The state has scheduled a number of stakeholder sessions on a
draft mitigation plan for the first phase of funding under the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For background, it follows settlements and payout requirements that the automobile company entered into after allegations of emissions violations. The money is meant to benefit environmental mitigation and air quality projects across the U.S. The state's draft plan would invest the first phase of $92 million (North Carolina's share of the nearly $3 billion federal settlement with VW) in projects to reduce impacts from diesel emissions, and regulators are accepting comments on the matter through May 3.
Explanatory stakeholder sessions are scheduled as follows:
-5-7 p.m. Monday, April 16: Lenoir Community College, Bullock Building, Room 150, Kinston
-1-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 17: Triangle J Council of Governments, 4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 110, Durham
-9-11 a.m. Friday, April 20: Cape Fear Community College, Union Station, Room 512, 502 N. Front St., Wilmington
Members of the public and entities interested in receiving funds for eligible projects are encouraged to attend, the state says. Anyone who cannot attend may submit comments to
daq.NC_VWGrants@ncdenr.gov. A
handout from the state has more information.