Voters across North Carolina approved the Connect NC Bond by more than a 30% margin.
In southeastern North Carolina, however, the margins were narrower. In New Hanover County, the bond passed by nearly 11%. Brunswick County voters approved it by 13%, and Pender County voters approved by not quite 10%.
Connect NC is a two-billion dollar general obligation bond that started as a plan to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. It turned into a funding mechanism for improvements to University of North Carolina system campuses and community colleges – as well as parks, water and sewer, and the National Guard. Senator Michael Lee of New Hanover County supports the bond:
"I think it’s great that we were, number one, able to really put the issue to the voters. I think it is a real testament to the fact that the voters as well as the the legislature supports higher education. I think it’s a great thing."
Locally, the bond will provide sixty-six million dollars to UNCW for a Health & Human Services/Nursing Building. It also gives nearly 6 million dollars to Cape Fear Community College and two-point-eight million to Brunswick Community College. It also will fund improvements at Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach State Parks.