RALEIGH – Last week, the N.C. General Assembly gave final approval to the 2023 budget, which the Governor has indicated he will let become law without his signature. The budget appropriates $30 billion to fund new projects across the state, including significant investments in water and sewer improvements, education, mental health, school safety, teacher and state employee raises, and economic development.

Locally, state House Majority Leader John Bell, Representative Jimmy Dixon, and Senator Buck Newton secured over $60 million in the budget for Wayne County.

“This is a really good budget that will improve countless lives and communities across our state, especially in eastern North Carolina,” said Majority Leader Bell. “I am particularly proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure significant funding for Wayne County to support local schools, colleges, fire departments and economic development and infrastructure projects.”

NC Global TransPark

• $350 million for hanger facilities to support maintenance and repair work for the U.S. Navy at the Global TransPark in Kinston.

Wayne County Public Schools

• $7 million for the construction of a new Rosewood Middle School. This is in addition to the $20 million secured in the 2021 state budget for the project.
• $300,000 for athletic field upgrades at Rosewood, Southern Wayne, and Charles B. Aycock High Schools

Non-Profits

• $1 million for Wayne County Economic Development Region
• $750,000 for United Way of Wayne County
• $300,000 for N.C. Troopers Association Caisson Unit
• $300,000 for Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation
• $250,000 for Wayne County Livestock Development Association/Wayne Regional Agriculture Fair

• $80,000 for ReNu Life
• $60,000 for Skill Creations/Creative Academy
• $50,000 Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne
• $25,000 for Veterans and Military Families

Higher Education

• $17 million for Wayne Community College
• $3.17 million for University of Mount Olive

Water and Sewer Upgrades

• $20 million for Town of Eureka
• $5 million for City of Goldsboro

Fire Departments

• $50,000 for Elroy
• $50,000 for Nahunta
• $50,000 for MarMac
• $50,000 for Pikeville-Pleasant Grove

Local Governments

• $7.5 million for Mount Olive Municipal Airport
• $2 million for City of Goldsboro
• $1 million for Town of Pikeville

Statewide Highlights

• 7.4% average pay raise for teachers.
• 7% pay raise for state employees.
• 9% raise for bus drivers.
• 4% cost-of-living bonus for state retirees.
• Universal private K-12 school tuition assistance.
• $2 billion for water and sewer improvement projects.
• $620 million for behavioral mental health programs.
• $70 million for school safety grants.