Discussion, Tour and Reception Wednesday, June 10 at 11 a.m
Connect NC is Governor McCrory's $2.85 billion bond proposal for strategic investments in our state's transportation and other public infrastructure that will cultivate a stronger economy, increased jobs and improve North Carolina's quality of life. The proposed bonds will benefit projects from the mountains to the piedmont to the coast with investments in 64 counties across the state. Projects will occur in both small rural areas and large urban cities. Strategic investments have been selected considering agency priority, the size of the project and location.
N.C. Department Secretary Susan Kluttz will host a discussion of the new bond proposal Wednesday, June 10 at 11 a.m. at a celebration of Reed Gold Mine, North Carolina's only historic site documenting the first major discovery of gold in the United States and one of the infrastructure projects proposed.
If the Connect NC bonds are approved by voters this November, Reed Gold Mine may receive $7 million for the redevelopment of the entire site to provide an enhanced, immersive visitor experience in both history and the natural sciences. Components of the redevelopment plan include renovation and expansion of the visitor center, the creation of interactive exhibit galleries, the construction of an all-season panning pavilion, construction of a picnic/outdoor classroom facility, rehabilitation of historic mine equipment and the establishment of a wilderness camping facility.
"Currently, interest rates are historically low," says Kluttz, "so timing is good for this targeted, long-term investment in our state's future. I am thrilled that Reed Gold Mine has the opportunity to expand to host school children and visitors with the story of North Carolina's gold rush and to positively impact the economies of the local communities." No tax increases are necessary to finance the bonds because North Carolina's economy is strong and growing and, because the budget has been managed well, the state has ample credit capacity to borrow and repay the bonds with no tax increase.
North Carolina is growing faster than average and has surpassed Michigan to become the ninth most populous state - attractive to both retirees and new professionals alike. This growth impacts our state's aging infrastructure. Two bonds are proposed of roughly $1.4 billion each that will support investment in our state's transportation and other public infrastructure projects in education, public health, parks, and ports as well as for projects that support operations for our military.
During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.