A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds for improvements of the western north carolina AGRICULTURAL center.
Whereas, the Western North Carolina Fairground, located at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center adjacent to the Horse Arena, is growing rapidly; and
Whereas, unlike the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, the Western North Carolina Fairground does not have enclosed facilities that can be leased as exhibition space or for other purposes when not in use; and
Whereas, it has been determined that the Western North Carolina Fairground could be further developed if suitable exhibition space was available to generate income for the fairground; and
Whereas, the Commissioner of Agriculture has brought forth a plan to enhance the fairground for $17 million; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the sum of seventeen million dollars ($17,000,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year to support the New Vision Plan for the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center by better utilizing the existing land and buildings, separating the equine and livestock events from fairground events, and developing the WNC Regional Events Center.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.