Wilmington, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory led an educational bond panel discussion Wednesday at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The conversation focused on what the bond would bring to UNCW and the region. 
"I fought to put the Connect NC bond proposal before the voters because the investments here at UNCW and across the state will cultivate skilled graduates who are prepared to meet the demand for highly-trained health and human services professionals," Governor McCrory said.

Governor McCrory was joined on the panel discussion by UNCW Chancellor Jose Sartarelli, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz, North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Greg Lusk and Brunswick Community College President Dr. Susanne Adams.

In total, Connect NC will provide $1.3 billion to the UNC System and North Carolina's 58 community colleges.

If approved by voters, the University of North Carolina Wilmington will receive $66 million for a new Health and Human Services/Nursing building. The new building will house the College of Health and Human Services, including the Center for Healthy Communities; existing academic programs in health and applied human sciences, nursing, clinical research and social work; and related labs and classrooms. This new state of the art facility will offer technology-equipped classrooms, laboratories, faculty and student support space, and related infrastructure necessary for 21st century education for health professions. The proposed building would open during 2018-19 academic year and complete the UNCW Health Sciences Quad.

Southeastern North Carolina stands to receive $116 million from Connect NC for improvements to five state parks and nine community colleges. 

In addition to investments in education, the $2 billion Connect NC bond includes investments in national guard facilities, state parks, agriculture and water and sewer infrastructure. 

Governor McCrory stated that North Carolina's population has grown by two million since the last bond was passed 15 years ago. He also reiterated that no tax increase is necessary to finance the bonds, now or in the future, given the state’s strong revenue growth and ample debt service capacity.