North Carolina's Governor Announces Economic Stimulus Plan

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley announced Moday the Council of State approved his plan to fast-track more than $744.15 million in capital improvement projects to keep North Carolina’s economy moving. This action means 29 important education and public safety projects will move ahead and create 26,000 jobs to stimulate the state economy.

“This stimulus package will help keep North Carolinians on the job even in the face of the troubled national economy,” Easley said. “I continue to urge the new president and Congress to pass a federal economic stimulus package as soon as possible so we can get to work on more projects to keep us moving ahead.”

Going to the market with these projects now is also cost effective since interest rates and building costs are less. Economists estimate that every $1 million spent on a project results in 36 new jobs, meaning these projects will produce nearly 26,000 new jobs. For each dollar spent on a construction project, $2.28 is pumped into North Carolina’s economy.

The Council of State approved the following projects that will provide necessary classroom and laboratory space for university students, and ensure there is sufficient prison space to house criminals.

The projects total $744.15 million are:

$45.2 million -- Dept. of Correction: Women’s Health and Mental Health Facility
$13.1 million -- Dept. of Correction: Minimum Security Addition, Scotland County
$19.9 million -- Dept. of Correction: Medium Security Addition, Bertie County
$13.1 million -- Dept. of Correction: Minimum Security Addition, Tabor City
$19.9 million -- Dept. of Correction: Medium Security Addition , Lanesboro
$2.9 million -- Dept. of Cultural Resources: CSS Neuse Phase I (20,000 sq. ft. bldg.)
$2 million -- State Ports: Port-wide Berth Structure Construction, Morehead City
$5 million -- State Ports: Berth 8 Replacement Phase I, Wilmington
$3.7 million -- Dept. of Ag.: Southeastern NC Agricultural Center Pavilion
$650,000 -- Dept. of Ag.: Truck Shed & Restroom Expansion, WNC Farmer's Market
$7.5 million -- Dept. of Ag.: Davis Arena Renovation & Expansion WNC Ag. Center
$4.3 million -- Dept. of Env. and Nat. Resources: Research Oyster Hatchery
$10 million -- Dept. of Env. and Nat. Resources: Land for Tommorrow Funds
$2.7 million -- Dept. of Env. and Nat. Resources: Zoo Polar Bear Addition and Renovation
$107 million -- Dept. of Env. and Nat. Resources: Green Square Complex
$69 million -- East Carolina University: School of Dentistry
$36.8 million -- East Carolina University: Family Medicine and Geriatric Center
$18 million -- Elizabeth City State University: School of Education Building
$2.4 million -- A&T State University: Horse Barns, Upper Piedmont Research Station
$20.5 million -- A&T State University: General Classroom Instructional Facility
$24.5 million -- N.C. Central University: School of Nursing Building
$11.1 million -- UNC School of the Arts: Central Storage Facility
$12.9 million -- UNC School of the Arts: Film School Production Design Facility
109.1 million -- N.C. State University: Centennial Campus Library
$4 million -- N.C. State University:4-H Campus Improvements
$69 million -- UNC Chapel Hill: School of Dentistry Addition
$57.2 million -- UNC Charlotte: Energy Production Infrastructure Center
$42.7 million -- UNC Greensboro: Academic Classroom and Office Building
$10 million -- UNC General Administration Land Acquisition

The Council of State is made up of the governor, lieutenant governor, the commissioners of agriculture, labor and insurance; the attorney general; the state treasurer; the secretary of state; the state schools superintendent; and the state auditor. The council approves all property transactions and major capital improvements projects done in the state.