DUBLIN – During the upcoming March 15th election, North Carolina voters will decide the outcome of the Connect NC Bond Act, a $2 billion bond to support higher education, state parks, and other infrastructure.
In a news release last October, Governor McCrory stated that a highly educated workforce is vital to North Carolina’s future prosperity. In Bladen County, the bond will bring $6,533,125 to Bladen Community College, $651,750 to Jones Lake State Park, and $575,250 to Singletary Lake State Park.
According to Bladen Community College president William Findt, a significant portion of the bond money would be spent on a new building with classrooms, offices, and a teaching auditorium. “In late 2011, the college developed plans for a 20,000 square feet building on campus that would house workforce training programs.” At that time, the cost was estimated to be $6 million.
The building would house science curriculum, emergency medical services, industrial training, and computer labs. Findt comments that any additional funds from the bond will be spent on campus renovations, including replacement of the auditorium roof, improved campus lighting, and sidewalk and parking lot repairs and replacements. “The list for renovations is long,” he states.
Connect NC will benefit every community in North Carolina by investing in local education, parks, roads, and public health. The projects will generate thousands of jobs across the state.
Remarkably, the bond will not increase taxes for North Carolinians because of the state’s strong fiscal health.
For more information about the Connect NC Bond Act, visit www.connect.nc.gov. For more information about Bladen Community College, call 910-879-5500.
About Author
