[Durham INC] Durham County Leaders Share County Priorities with State Leaders at County Assembly Day

[Jones, Henry R.]

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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release                                          Date: 06/22/22
Contact: Public Information Office                   Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020
E-mail: publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov<mailto:publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov>

Durham County Leaders Share County Priorities with State Leaders at County Assembly Day

Durham, N.C. - On Tuesday, June 14th, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Majority Leader John Bell of the North Carolina General Assembly addressed county commissioners and officials in Raleigh for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) County Assembly Day. Following the morning speaking program, commissioners visited legislative offices to advocate on behalf of counties.

County Assembly Day is an annual event that provides a platform for county commissioners and county officials to hear from state leaders and discuss the issues affecting their communities.

In attendance were Board of Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton, Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs, Commissioners Heidi Carter, Nimasheena Burns and Nida Allam. They were joined County Manager Dr. Kim Sowell and General Manager Deborah Craig-Ray. In separate meetings, the group met with Durham lawmakers Rep. Marcia Morey and Rep. Vernetta Alston where they discussed priorities in the upcoming state budget and a few local legislative goals.

NCACC President Frank Williams spoke on the opportunities provided through this historic funding.

"County commissioners throughout North Carolina recognize their responsibility to utilize these funds in a way which positively impacts the citizens we serve," said Williams. "That's why Counties are taking a deliberate, strategic approach to thoughtfully identify which projects these funds should support. That's also why the NCACC is working to provide technical assistance to help Counties comply with the complex federal paperwork and documentation requirements associated with ARPA funding."

Senate President Pro Tempore Berger delivered remarks, highlighting the importance of leveraging funding opportunities to support North Carolina's infrastructure, stating that "The General Assembly has prioritized increasing funding for the state's infrastructure, including expanding access to high-speed internet. It is our goal to have access to reliable broadband internet in all 100 counties. Our strategy for accomplishing that is the GREAT Grant program, which leverages public and private dollars to bring broadband internet to underserved areas of our state."

House Majority Leader Bell thanked county commissioners for their service and counties' strategic investments stating, "North Carolina has had a great two-year budget, and many counties have taken advantage of these monumental funds. It is great to see counties invest those dollars in broadband and water and sewer projects, because it's those types of investments that lead to economic development across the state in our metropolitan and rural areas."

About the NCACC: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC)<https://www.ncacc.org/> is the official voice of all 100 counties on issues being considered by the General Assembly, Congress and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.


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