With a decision on the state's proposed budget looming, supporters of
the Western North Carolina School of Science and Math are being
asked to contact several key legislators without delay.
Rountree Collett is one of many community, business, elected and
educational leaders involved in the effort to locate a second campus of
this school in Morganton. "We started out with companion bills, initiated
by our Burke County delegation and cosponsored by other supportive western
regional representatives, that provided funding for the advance planning
for the project," Collett said. "Unfortunately, the initial Senate budget
stripped out the funding but left in place language generally favorable to
the idea of our goal. We were initially worried about the same thing
happening in the House, but we succeeded in getting amended language into
the final House budget providing the funding for advanced planning."
Now the House and Senate versions of the budget are headed to a conference
committee where differences between the two versions -- including the
funding provisions around the WNCSSM -- will be worked out. Collett said the
goal of supporters is to keep the House's language in the final budget
bill. "Especially now, we need to reinforce to legislators that advanced
planning for this project is extremely important to fund, as an educational
initiative for our state and an economic development boost to our region," he emphasized.
If you or your company supports this regional effort, please consider calling, e-mailing or writing the following key Senators right away and encouraging them to work with Senator Warren Daniel to keep the House version of the western NCSSM language (specifying Morganton location and funding) in the final budget bill.
Senator Harry Brown: Harry.Brown@ncleg.net
919-715-3034
NC Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 300-B
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(Jones and Onslow Counties)
Senator Ralph Apodaca: Tom.Apodaca@ncleg.net
919-733-5745
NC Senate
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2010
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
(Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania Counties)
Senator Neal Hunt: Neal.Hunt@ncleg.net
919-733-5850
NC Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 309
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(Wake County)
Senator Dan Soucek: Dan.Soucek@ncleg.net
919-733-5742
NC Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street - Room 310
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell and Watauga)
Senator Austin Allran: Austin.Allran@ncleg.net
919-733-5876
NC Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street - Room 625
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(Alexander and Catawba Counties)
Senator Ralph Hise: Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net
919-733-3460
NC Senate
16 W. Jones Street - Room 1026
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
(Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, and
Yancey Counties)
Historic Burke Foundation will be your host this Saturday from 6:30 - 9 pm at the historic Avery-Summerset House, currently undergoing restoration and the home of David Stevenson and Michael Smith. This unique event will include a presentation by Jennifer Cathey, a Restoration Specialist with with the State Historic Preservation Office. Dine on a bountiful picnic, as you enjoy music by the Dave Reep Quartet. Tickets are $50 per person, with proceeds going to Historic Burke Foundation for the maintenance of the McDowell House and operating expenses. There will be plenty of parking. For tickets and information call the Foundation at (828) 437-4104 or visit historicburke@compascable.net.
better understand how it feels to be living with such challenges. One of America's leading educators on dementia, she has developed a best care practice philosophy with practical techniques for a hands-on approach that supports and promotes positive relationships. This free event will be held on July 1, 2014, from 6:00-8:30 pm in the Ervin Community Room at Grace Ridge Retirement Community. 
From the mountains to the sea, North Carolina's attractions draw people from all over the world, but not all the places worth visiting can be found in guidebooks. This summer, The News & Observer is taking its readers to some of the best out-of-the-way
and hired 45 members of the firm's workforce. Currently, Richelieu Legwear has its U.S.-based operations in Hildebran where it employs more than 60 people. Employees at the new facility will manufacture socks and will be supported by a long-term commitment from the company's leading customer, Walmart. This partnership will assure that significant financial investments are supported by program placement from Walmart for years to come.Compensation for the new positions will vary by job function, but the average annual salary will be $37,912 plus benefits. The average annual wage in Burke County is $32,834. The project is made possible in part by an award to Richelieu Legwear from the state Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program, as voted by the state Economic Investment Committee. Receipt of the award is based on proof of job creation and other performance requirements. JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state, and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant. 
