News Story

With the passage of the 2021 Appropriations Act in the North Carolina House on Thursday morning (Nov. 18th) and Governor Cooper’s subsequent signing of the legislation into law, Representative Jason Saine announced that the new state budget includes over $20 million in funding for projects in Lincoln County.

Saine, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, highlighted many of the projects in a press announcement Thursday evening.

Saine said: “This funding has been a long time coming and will be a major help for needed projects in Lincoln County. Our community will see the benefits of these investments for decades.”

He added: “I am very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations between the House, Senate and the Governor and I especially appreciate the partnership that I have with State Senator Ted Alexander, in helping to support these projects throughout the budget process.”

Included in the budget act:

• $500,000 for the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport Capital Improvements
• $4,500,000 for the current Lincoln County Courthouse [This will fund improvements needed before the County can pursue a possible public-private plan for use of the building.]
• $1,100,000 for Rescue Squad Park Soccer Fields
• $1,000,000 North Lincoln High School Soccer Fields
• $242,650 for City of Lincolnton playground equipment at Betty G. Ross Park 
• $91,300 for the Rail Trail in Lincolnton
• $2,000,000 for Amy’s House; to help fund construction of a new new shelter for victims of domestic violence
• $5,700,000 East Lincoln Fire Department’s new consolidated emergency center
• $1,750,000 for Lincoln County Landfill capital needs
• $200,000 for Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for equipment
• $100,000 City of Lincolnton for capital improvements
• $20,000 for a new outdoor patio garden space at the Lincoln County Senior Center
• $2,700,000 for Capital Improvements related to roads in Lincoln County
• $200,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure projects for Lincoln County
• $87,465 annually for a District Attorney Investigator for Cleveland & Lincoln counties
• $698,277 for funding for startup and ongoing costs related to the new Public Defender office for District 27B (Cleveland and Lincoln counties)
• $500,000 to seven county school districts, of which Lincoln County is one, for “Life Changing Experiences,” a program designed to address life and community threatening activities that negatively impact teenagers, including alcohol and other drugs, dangerous driving, violence and bullying.

Saine had earlier expressed his pleasure at seeing the state finally have a current year budget, the first since 2018-19.  The General Assembly had passed budget proposals, but Governor Cooper had vetoed them for the last two years.  Cooper said he signed this budget because he felt it addressed many needs although he didn't get everything he wanted.  "From my perspective, I could not be happier," said Saine.