– From the offices of Rep. John Bell and Sen. Jim Perry –

Following weeks of negotiations between the House, Senate, and Governor, a final budget has been released by the North Carolina General Assembly. The budget, which the Governor has said he will sign, will be voted on this week in both chambers.

In addition to pay raises and bonuses for teachers and state employees, as well as historic investments in education, infrastructure, and health care, the bipartisan budget includes key items that House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Majority Whip Jim Perry secured for their constituents in Wayne County and across eastern North Carolina.

• $22 million for Wayne County Development Alliance.
• $20 million for the construction of a new school building for Rosewood Middle School.
• $7.5 million for the Firefighter Fighting Cancer Act to assist firefighters dealing with work-related cancers.
• $5 million for acquisition of vulnerable property in the Stoney Creek watershed.
• $2 million for the Independence Fund, Inc. for the No Veteran Left Behind Project to assist veterans in crisis.
• $1.75 million for University of Mount Olive agricultural capital.
• $1 million for the Bentonville Battlefield land acquisition.
• $750,000 to Princeton High School for drainage pipe replacement.
• $750,000 to Southern Wayne Sanitation District.
• $500,000 to the Town of Princeton for a new community center.
• $500,000 for a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center.
• $350,000 to American Legion Wayne Post 11 to repair damage from Hurricane Florence and Matthew.
• $275,000 to NC Trooper Association Caisson Unit.
• $250,000 to the Wayne Pregnancy Center for the Cry Freedom Missions to combat human trafficking.
• $230,000 to Wayne County for an innovative court pilot program.
• $200,000 to Mount Olive Family Medical Center Concussion Clinic.
• $100,000 to Rosewood Fire Department for capital improvements.
• $50,000 to Vanguard Educational Institute to support the summer youth camp.
• $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne.
• $10,000 to the City of Goldsboro for promotion and preservation of the history of the 135th U.S. Colored Troop.

“A lot of time was put into this budget working with people on both sides of the aisle to ensure that North Carolinians have a solid budget,” said Representative Bell. “This budget will bring over $54 million directly to Wayne County investing in numerous special projects that will help better our community. I am very proud to have helped secure this money for the people of Wayne County.”

Senator Perry added, “This is a strong budget, especially for the people of Wayne County and eastern North Carolina. It has been a long process, but Rep. Bell and myself worked hard to ensure that the final budget included these critical resources for our region. These funds will help support veterans, law enforcement, students, and numerous communities throughout Wayne County.”