North Carolina

March 11, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today applauded Siemens Energy for creating a new hub in Charlotte to manufacture gas and steam turbines and generators. The plant is expected to bring an initial 450 jobs to the city and 825 jobs by 2014. The new plant is partly funded by federal tax-exempt bonds made available by a Recovery Act program that spurs economic development.    » read more »

Progress Energy, FLS Energy, Evergreen Packaging partner on project at former landfill site

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (March 1, 2010) – Progress Energy Carolinas’ generation mix in Western N.C. is a little sunnier, as the region’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) array is now online and generating electricity. The new 555-kilowatt (kW) Evergreen Solar Farm is owned and operated by FLS Energy and built on Evergreen Packaging’s now-closed landfill in Haywood County. Progress Energy Carolinas is purchasing the array’s entire output for distribution to the company’s customers.    » read more »

“North Carolina will make incredible strides in education innovation”

March 4, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today announced that North Carolina is a finalist for Phase I of the Race to the Top funding. Hagan, along with Reps. Butterfield, Etheridge, Jones, Price, McIntyre, Kissell, Shuler, Watt and Miller last week supported North Carolina's application in a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The full letter can be read here.    » read more »

1/28/2010 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced today that North Carolina is receiving $545 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for further development of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, a nearly 500-mile route that will allow trains to travel between Charlotte and Washington, D.C. at top speeds of up to 90-110 miles per hour and an average speed of 86 mph.

“Building this high-speed rail corridor will put our people to work on critical infrastructure projects and boost local economies in North Carolina,” said Gov. Perdue. “This is a huge leap toward making high-speed rail in North Carolina a reality.”    » read more »

January 28, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) is being joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today to announce $545 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to construct and improve high speed rail in North Carolina.

"I am thrilled North Carolina will receive a significant grant for high-speed rail between Charlotte and Raleigh," said Hagan. "North Carolina has an outstanding rail system, and this money will make it even more efficient and allow more riders to take advantage of it.    » read more »

Hagan is focused on NC jobs for 2010

January 27, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) tonight commented on the President's State of the Union address. Sen. Hagan said:

"I am proud that President Obama honored a true North Carolina hero, Sgt. Kimberly Munley. She saved American lives at Fort Hood, and we, as a nation, are forever grateful for her service. Other special North Carolina guests of the President were Julia Frost, a Jacksonville college student, and Ping Fu, a North Carolina small business leader.    » read more »

January 20, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and U.S. Representative David Price (D-NC) today announced that the North Carolina non-profit MCNC will receive $28 million for broadband infrastructure in 37 counties in eastern and western regions of the state. The grant is part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act effort to expand broadband access in rural areas.    » read more »

1/18/2010 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue this weekend mailed North Carolina’s completed application for funds from the federal “Race to the Top” initiative. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Race to the Top is a federal $4.5 billion competitive grant fund that rewards states for educational innovation and achieving significant improvements in student performance.

North Carolina’s application requests approximately $469.5 million in federal funds to be spent over four years.    » read more »

Low Interest Government Loans Will Help Those Impacted by Nor’easter

12/2/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration has agreed to provide low-interest government loans to help eligible homeowners and businesses in Dare County cover losses and normal operating expenses from a nor’easter that struck Nov. 10-15.

“The remnants of Hurricane Ida caused significant loss and damage to businesses and homeowners on our northern coast,” said Perdue, who had requested the SBA loans. “These federally-backed loans will provide needed relief and help our people and communities recover from their losses.”    » read more »

Requests Federal Funds to Repair N.C. 12 on Outer Banks

11/16/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today will sign an emergency declaration to help Dare County recover from the heavy rain and flooding that saturated the area last week as Tropical Storm Ida moved through North Carolina.

The declaration of a State of Emergency is the first step in seeking federal funds to help clear debris and repair N.C. 12, as it enables the N.C. Department of Transportation to request funding assistance from the Federal Highway Administration.    » read more »

JDIG and One North Carolina Fund Grants Help Company Add 259 Jobs

11/13/2009 -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced today that international biopharmaceutical company Talecris Biotherapeutics is expanding its manufacturing facilities near Clayton, creating 259 new jobs over the next seven years and investing $268.7 million. The announcement was made possible in part by state Job Development Investment Grant and One North Carolina Fund awards and is contingent upon approval of local incentives.

“The competition for these types of jobs is fierce,” Perdue said. “The fact that Talecris has found the tools it needs to succeed in North Carolina shows why this state’s business climate is consistently named as the best in the nation.”    » read more »

RacetotheTop.nc.gov will seek input on educational innovation and reform

11/5/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today launched racetothetop.nc.gov and called upon North Carolinians to participate in the federal “Race to the Top” initiative. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Race to the Top is a federal $4.5 billion competitive grant fund that rewards states for educational innovation and achieving significant improvements in how students perform.

In addition to providing information about North Carolina’s Race to the Top efforts, the new website seeks ideas and suggestions from the public regarding new education innovations and reforms.    » read more »

Includes 11 funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

11/3/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced today that 18 contracts totaling $56.6 million have been awarded for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina, including 11 projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The contracts were awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation to the lowest respective bidder, as required by state law. A list of the projects is attached.

“These recovery projects continue to help us to put North Carolinians to work and to deliver critical infrastructure improvements that will have a long-lasting economic impact on our state,” said. Gov. Perdue.    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Representatives from NOAA and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, announced the formation of a partnership to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes. The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the Coastal States Organization in Charleston, S.C.    » read more »

Underscores Commitment to Green Jobs, Clean Energy Economy

October 16, 2009 -- CARY, North Carolina -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) met today with employees of Southern Energy Management, a home-grown sustainable energy company, and toured the firm’s signature project -- one of the largest solar array energy systems in the Southeast.    » read more »