North Carolina has a working budget for the first time in more than two years and Mitchell County will get $17,677,692 for improvements over the next two years.
Gov. Roy Cooper signed the budget into law on Thursday, Nov. 18.
The most expensive item on the list of local improvements is $5 million for a Mitchell County Law Enforcement Center, which the county commissioners and Sheriff Donald Street have touted as a big need for years.
The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office has been in its current location since 2002. Street said that, at the time, the location was supposed to be temporary. He reiterated the need for private offices, an interview room and more space for evidence storage.
“This is a huge gain for Mitchell County,” Street said. “This is something we’ve needed since I started with the Sheriff’s Office in 1982.”
The budget will also usher in $4.5 million toward the Williams YMCA of Spruce Pine and Mayland Community College will reap $4 million for its Three Peaks Enrichment Center project.
The Town of Bakersville is slated to receive $2 million for its water and sewer project. Mitchell High will receive $1.1 million to install field turf on its football field.
The Town of Spruce Pine will get $350,000 for Brad Ragan Park and an additional $300,000 in general funding.
The Buladean Community Foundation will receive $250,000 and Mitchell County will get $102,692 from a health department grant. Finally, Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Food Ministry will receive $75,000 to construct a commercial kitchen.
North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger said Sen. Ralph Hise was a key figure in getting projects approved for the district.
Hise said the signing of the budget came after months of negotiation with Cooper, adding that he thanks Rep. Dudley Greene for his help in securing the funding for Mitchell.
“For the past decade, Republicans in the General Assembly have enacted smart, fiscally conservative spending plans,” Hise said. “It’s our responsibility to spend North Carolinians’ dollars wisely and this year’s budget builds on that with sweeping tax cuts and major infrastructure improvements, including $17,677,692 for Mitchell County.”
Board of Commissioners Chair Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff thanked Hise and Greene for their efforts and said the funds will cover “some very important projects” in Mitchell County.
“We are very fortunate,” Grindstaff said. “This is huge for the citizens of Mitchell County.”