, NC - Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 1031 into law this afternoon. The bill creates a nonprofit corporation to assist the Department of Commerce in fostering and retaining jobs and business development, international trade, marketing, and travel and tourism. This initiative has been a top priority for the governor and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker since entering office.
"This legislation allows us to put a new economic development approach in place that helps to create jobs by putting a greater emphasis on customer service, all while saving taxpayer money," Governor McCrory said. "With this new approach, our business recruiters will be able to respond to companies faster. We’ll be able to help existing companies grow and recruit new companies that are considering locating in North Carolina."
“I want to thank the General Assembly for giving us the job creation tools that the people of North Carolina deserve,” said Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “Modernizing and streamlining our job creation apparatus is a vital step in growing North Carolina’s economy, particularly in our rural communities.”
Secretary Decker, bill sponsors, legislators and members of the governor's Economic Development Board joined Governor McCrory in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol for the signing.