Perdue, Bev. Press Release, 2011-09-30, Gov. Perdue Announces Grant Awards to Assist Local Governments with Parks and Recreation Projects

Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 September 30, 2011 Contact: Chris Mackey Office: (919) 733-5612 Gov. Perdue Announces Grant Awards to Assist Local Governments with Parks and Recreation Projects RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the award of $1,399,375 in grants from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to four local governments for parks and recreation projects. “Creating jobs continues to be one of my top priorities as Governor,” Gov. Bev Perdue said. “Since its creation, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund has helped us create jobs and fostered great economic growth in North Carolina. It’s one of the reasons our state is consistently ranked one of the best in terms of its quality life. That fact is more important than ever, because lean budget years call for prudent decision-making when it comes to acquiring valuable open space.” The matching grants, awarded by the Parks and Recreation Authority, will help fund land acquisition, development and renovation of public park and recreation areas. Earlier this year, the board awarded 29 grants totaling more than $8.32 million. During the funding cycle for the 2010-11 fiscal years, the authority considered 80 grant applications requesting more than $23 million. A maximum of $500,000 can be awarded to a single project. The latest grants were awarded to: Dunn, which received $500,000 for the Tyler Park Enhancement project; Lincoln County, which received $415,000 for the Rock Springs Nature Preserve Park project; Spencer, which received $200,000 for the Stanback Educational Forest and Park project; Nashville (N.C.), which received $284,375 for the Stony Creek Environmental Park project. The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and was established in 1994 when the General Assembly dedicated 75 percent of the state’s share of the excise tax on real estate deed transfers to the fund. The revenue is distributed to three programs: 65 percent to the state parks system for repairs, capital improvements and land acquisition; 30 percent for matching grants to local parks and recreation programs for development and land acquisition; and 5 percent to the coastal beach access program.