(RALEIGH) -- This past week, Governor Bev Perdue said bringing jobs to the state is one of her top priorities. A plan to improve passenger rail in the state could be one of those major projects that could bring those kinds of jobs.

Perdue says it's something the state should take a serious look at. There has been a debate in the General Assembly about whether it would be beneficial to the state to upgrade rail service between Raleigh and Charlotte. Perdue believes it would bring many jobs to the state.

Currently, the unemployment rate in North Carolina is 9.6 percent. Perdue has recently made several announcements about jobs coming to the state, and says the state Department of Commerce is keeping track to make sure companies are following through on their promises to bring job opportunities here.