GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 888

Short Title:  Lake Gaston Econ. Dev. Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senator Ballance.

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Referred to:  Appropriations

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May 1, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BY THE LAKE GASTON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION.
Whereas, Northeastern North Carolina is one of the most economically distressed areas in the State and the lack of jobs, industrial development, and infrastructure have contributed to declining educational systems and lack of growth in the region; and
Whereas, Lake Gaston has been identified in a feasibility study by the Eastern Minority Economic Development Council as an untapped resource for tourism development in the northeastern area of the State; and
Whereas, the study and a subsequent feasibility study by EBBARC International, Inc., have determined that the Lake Gaston area is an ideal site for a conference center and related facilities and that the revenues generated at the conference center and related facilities would have a positive impact in surrounding counties throughout Northeastern North Carolina, including the creation of nearly 500 jobs in the first year and an annual impact on the regional economy of 30 million dollars; and
Whereas, the Lake Gaston Development Association has been formed as a partnership between public, private, and community interests for the promotion and development of tourism and economic improvement in the northeast region of the State, particularly the Lake Gaston area; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Lake Gaston Development Association the sum of one million seven hundred thousand dollars ($1,700,000) for fiscal year 1995-96 and the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for fiscal year 1996-97 for planning expenses and capital expenses for preliminary development of infrastructure and utilities related to the development of a conference center and related facilities for the Lake Gaston area.
Sec. 2.  The Association shall develop a 10-year Master Plan for the Lake Gaston region that identifies the development projects and activities that it plans to undertake during that period.  The initial plan shall be filed with the Office of State Budget and Management no later than July 1, 1996.  The Office of State Budget and Management may withhold funds appropriated by this act during fiscal year 1996-97 for failure to file the initial Master Plan.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.