Press release from Blue Red Marketing:
Buncombe County Farm Bureau passed a resolution on February 1st that urges all North Carolinians to vote yes for the $2 billion Connect NC Bond referendum during the Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Primary Election. The resolution supports the bond’s investments in agriculture, community colleges, higher education, the National Guard, state parks and local water and sewer projects.
“The bond is a great thing for Agriculture, the community college system that supports job ready skills, and the university system. North Carolina is growing at an alarming rate and this bond is vital to the ability of our infrastructure to keep up with growth and put us in a good position for our next generation,” said Billy Johnston, President of Buncombe County Farm Bureau.
The Farm Bureau resolution cites the need to expand and repair infrastructure and invest in agricultural initiatives that will help feed and clothe a rapidly growing population as a major reason for supporting the bond. Additionally, the resolution points out that the state’s higher education system of universities and community colleges is a primary driver of job creation.
The Connect NC Bond is a $2 billion proposal with $1.3 billion dedicated to capital construction, repair, and renovation of colleges, universities and community colleges; $180 million will be invested in North Carolina’s number one industry–agriculture, which contributes $78 billion to the State’s economy and supports 17 percent of the State’s workforce; $400 million for our state parks, state zoo and local water/sewer projects and more than $70 million for new National Guard Readiness Centers.
According to the office of the State Budget and Management, the bonds will not require a tax increase and will protect the state’s AAA bond rating. North Carolina has seen its population increase by more than 2 million people since 2000 and this is the first statewide bond referendum voters have faced to address the state’s rapid growth.
North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation was organized in 1936, with the goal of protecting the interests of farm and rural families across the state. For the first time, an organization would give farmers a unified voice on agricultural issues. Now, as then, N.C. Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization, serving as a legislative advocate for our members at the local, state, national and international levels
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