Perdue, Bev. Press Release, 2011-05-27, Gov. Perdue Recommends 19 Western North Carolina Projects to Create Jobs, Support Economic Development

Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 May 27, 2011 Contact: Chris Mackey Office: (919) 733-5612 Gov. Perdue Recommends 19 Western North Carolina Projects to Create Jobs, Support Economic Development Appalachian Regional Commission Partners with State RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that 19 projects in Western North Carolina have been recommended to receive more than S2.4 million in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ARC helps create jobs and economic development opportunities in 29 counties throughout Western North Carolina. “Creating jobs is my first priority, and we do that by creating an environment in which businesses can grow,” said Gov. Perdue. “North Carolina and the Appalachian Regional Commission are partnering to invest in education, infrastructure and quality of life improvements that will make Western North Carolina more competitive.” Project proposals were reviewed by the North Carolina ARC office and project partners to ensure they were consistent with ARC’S goals. The Commission will make the final decision whether each project receives funding. Created by Congress in 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works with the 420 Appalachian counties and county-equivalents in 13 states to create opportunities for self-sustaining development and growth. North Carolina counties eligible to receive funding are: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes Yadkin and Yancey.