Attracting
New Businesses to Our Area
As a member of the Franklin County Economic Development Commission
and the Franklin County Committee of 100, I have actively participated
in industrial recruitment efforts. Formerly known as the Kerr-Tar Mini-Hub,
Triangle North is an
exciting regional economic development initiative in which I have been
involved.
Senator Doug Berger introduced legislation to establish the
four-county certified site project (Franklin, Granville, Vance,
Warren), and I helped with its passage in the House.
In 2004 I sponsored a bill in the House to
establish an Advanced Vehicle Research Center, now called the N. C.
Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR),
which will test advanced automotive designs and focus on research on
alternative fuels. Located in Northampton County, the Center will
attract other automotive companies to locate in the region to use
its testing facilities. Franklin, Halifax, Nash, and Warren
Counties would see new business locations and job creation.
In the
2005 budget, 7.5 million was appropriated to support this project.
Additional federal funds and the participation of Lotus, a British
automotive engineering company, have positioned the advanced vehicle
research center for a successful start-up. In 2007, the budget
included $3.5 million more for NCCAR.
Supporting Agribusiness
Despite the challenges facing traditional agriculture, agribusiness continues to play an important role in the economy of
our District. Tobacco, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, grain crops and
vegetable crops provide income to our farm families. In addition,
chicken, hog, and cattle operations remain significant. Meat goat
production is a growing revenue option for a number of families. Hill
Ridge Farms
and the Vollmer Farm in Franklin County are examples of agri-tourism, a
newcomer to the scene.
In Halifax County, I am working with others to establish a
Northeast Farmers' Market, which will be an outlet for North Carolina
agricultural and craft products right on the I-95 East Coast corridor.
Forestry and forestry products bring millions
of dollars to the District. Lumber companies, furniture and
furniture component plants and other wood-related businesses provide
good jobs. The Kapstone paper plant in Roanoke Rapids employs
500 people and is a highly valued corporate citizen within the Roanoke
Valley.
In 2005 I sponsored legislation to protect investment in
forestland taxed on the basis of present-use value and forestry activity
conducted in accordance with a forest management plan.
Statewide Economic
Development Benefits District 49
I have supported statewide economic legislation, which includes the
following:
- an increase to the Jobs Development Investment Grants program
- additional appropriations to the Governor's "One N. C. Fund"--for
enhanced industrial recruitment
- $20,000,000 to the Rural Center for grants to small communities
for infrastructure to support the recruitment and retention of
businesses
- a referendum on Amendment One (Self-Financing Bonds)--an economic
development tool for local governments, already used in 48 other
states
- an amendment to the Amendment One legislation to allow a
municipality to use project development financing for a
tourism-related development project located outside its central
business district if the project is located in an enterprise Tier
One area (this legislation enhanced the ability of the City of Roanoke
Rapids to participate in the financing of the "Carolina Crossroads"
project)
- GARVEE Bond Issuance which has resulted in $48 million for
continued widening of US Hwy 401
- legislation that clarified and modernized city/county planning
statutes (SB 518 and SB 814)
- the Hurricane Recovery Act that provided disaster assistance to
individuals, businesses and public agencies that sustained damage
from one or more of the six hurricanes that struck NC during the
late summer and early fall of 2004.
