Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Cari Boyce
Date: November 1, 2002 Phone: (919) 733-5612
EASLEY ANNOUNCES DROUGHT DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Governor Mike Easley today announced five grants to North Carolina communities totaling $510,000 that have incurred significant expenses in protecting their public water supply from the effects of a four-year drought.
“In these tight budget times, such unforeseen expenses can have a devastating impact on the ability of a local government to provide needed services to citizens,” said Easley. “I have pressured the federal government for drought relief, and I will continue to do so. But North Carolina communities cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Three of the communities receiving public assistance grants – the cities of Cherryville, Shelby and Cleveland County – had to pursue costly emergency protective measures to ensure a continual supply of safe drinking water. The Governor declared a local state of disaster for each of these communities. Grants will provide reimbursement for a portion of costs such as drilling wells and establishing emergency connections to new water sources.
The two other communities receiving public assistance grants – Greensboro and Concord – incurred significant drought-related expenses but avoided a crisis situation this year.
Citing Greensboro and Concord as models for the rest of the state, the Governor praised each community for pursuing regional water supply solutions and making an early and aggressive commitment to water conservation. The Greensboro grant will help to cover the cost of a long-term emergency interconnection to the Haw River. The Concord grant will help cover the cost of an interconnection with the City of Charlotte.
“I want to recognize the leaders in Concord and Greensboro for their foresight and for having the courage to act on their convictions,” said Easley. “This is the type of behavior, in the face of disaster, that the state will seek to reward through its future water supply investments.”
These five grants will be drawn from the state’s Contingency and Emergency (C&E) Fund. Earlier this year, the Governor set aside $1 million from the C&E fund to provide relief and assistance from the effects of the drought disaster.