A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to support central park NC.
Whereas, in 1993, leaders from Anson, Davidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, and Stanly Counties and the North Carolina Division of Community Assistance formed the Yadkin/Pee Dee Lakes Project to develop a strategy to preserve the natural and cultural assets of central North Carolina to create a sustainable local economy; and
Whereas, in 2000, the Yadkin/Pee Dee Lakes Project published "A Strategy for North Carolina's Central Park," which outlines the development of a new economy for central North Carolina based on heritage and cultural tourism development and outdoor recreation opportunities; and
Whereas, now known as Central Park NC, the strategy focuses on small business development complementary to heritage and cultural tourism and the development of the region's infrastructure for increasing overnight tourism; and
Whereas, according to studies conducted by Appalachian State University and the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the implementation of this strategy will result in a doubling of overnight visitation to the region from 20% to 40% by focusing on scenic natural areas, driving and sightseeing, nature walks, historic sites, and zoos and wildlife observation creating an additional 25,000 jobs above the benchmark forecast and an incremental positive net economic impact of $2.1 billion per year; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to The Yadkin/Pee Dee Lakes Project, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, the sum of three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to provide operating funds for Central Park NC.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.