Wake County, N.C. – On June 13, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Majority Leader John Bell of the North Carolina General Assembly addressed county commissioners and officials in Raleigh for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) County Assembly Day. Following the morning speaking program, commissioners visited legislative offices to advocate on behalf of counties.
County Assembly Day is an annual event that provides a platform for county commissioners and county officials to hear from state leaders and discuss the issues affecting their communities.
During their meetings, commissioners, clerks, and officials from counties across the state discussed with legislators how their counties plan to use or have used their direct allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for long-term investments.
NCACC President Frank Williams spoke on the opportunities provided through this historic funding. “County commissioners throughout North Carolina recognize their responsibility to utilize these funds in a way which positively impacts the citizens we serve,” said Williams. “That’s why Counties are taking a deliberate, strategic approach to thoughtfully identify which projects these funds should support. That’s also why the NCACC is working to provide technical assistance to help Counties comply with the complex federal paperwork and documentation requirements associated with ARPA funding.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger delivered remarks, highlighting the importance of leveraging funding opportunities to support North Carolina’s infrastructure, stating that “The General Assembly has prioritized increasing funding for the state’s infrastructure, including expanding access to high-speed internet. It is our goal to have access to reliable broadband internet in all 100 counties. Our strategy for accomplishing that is the GREAT Grant program, which leverages public and private dollars to bring broadband internet to underserved areas of our state.”
House Majority Leader John Bell thanked county commissioners for their service and counties’ strategic investments stating, “North Carolina has had a great two-year budget, and many counties have taken advantage of these monumental funds. It is great to see counties invest those dollars in broadband and water and sewer projects, because it’s those types of investments that lead to economic development across the state in our metropolitan and rural areas.”
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Editors: Print quality photos may be downloaded for use at: County Assembly Day 2022 – NCACC (smugmug.com). Photos should be credited as follows: Photo courtesy Chris Baucom/NCACC.