ECONOMY
Economic Reforms and Leadership:
Our economic reforms have positioned us as a national leader, with job creation rates that consistently surpass those across the country. Last year, we delivered further substantial tax cuts of $1.2 billion to help North Carolina families and businesses combat inflation. We have streamlined the regulatory environment by eliminating outdated and duplicative rules, making North Carolina more attractive for businesses and fostering local job creation.
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Tax Relief for Families:
We made the first $25,500 of your income completely tax-free, ensuring more money stays in your pocket.
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Recognition for Business Excellence:
For the past two years, CNBC has named North Carolina the top state for business, recognizing our robust economy, the quality of our workforce, and the excellence of our education system.
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Inclusive Employment Opportunities:
I am passionate about expanding employment opportunities for adults with disabilities because I believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed.
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Educational Collaboration:
We must work with all levels of our education system (early childhood, K-12, Community College, and University System) to make sure we equip all North Carolinians with the tools and training to succeed in our 21st-century economy.
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Strengthening Community College Support:
Our community colleges are pivotal in training the next generation and partnering with expanding companies statewide. Recognizing the role of these institutions in job training and continuing education for many parents, we allocated additional funding for the Child Care Grant Program, aiding adult learners with childcare services. We also codified the Short-Term Workforce Development Grants Program to help students manage the costs associated with workforce and continuing education courses.
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Infrastructure Investments:
We have committed $2 billion for Water and Sewer Infrastructure and $5 billion for Infrastructure in North Carolina.
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Investing in Higher Education:
Invested over $32 million in the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) to bolster critical initiatives: expanding research in vital workforce areas, establishing a Comprehensive Transition Program for students with intellectual disabilities, enhancing health education infrastructure, and conducting essential renovations across the campus.
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Supporting the Film Industry:
The film industry plays a crucial role in New Hanover County's economy through its significant investments and job creation. I have been at the forefront of efforts to enhance our film incentives, successfully tripling the incentive fund and making it recurring to draw more film and TV productions to our area. I am committed to continuing this work to establish Wilmington as the premier filming location in the nation.