Thank you, Bob, for that introduction.
Being here tonight is a special treat for me.
There are many wonderful places across our state but Montgomery County is a true standout.
With all this natural beauty, it would have been so easy to simply rest on your laurels.
You could have just sat back on your porches and admired the view-in fact, you could have just panned for gold.
However, the Uwharrie Mountains have produced something far more valuable than gold-they have yielded some of the most industrious folks I have ever seen.
It's simply remarkable to me that within just 500 square miles, this county fulfills so many vital needs-from clothing to housing, to furniture and furnishings, and the iron castings used to make frames for appliances and cars.
This area is already world-famous for its fine products so it comes as no surprise that international companies such as Homanit (HAU-MA-NIT) are now locating here.
Congratulations on your recent industrial development and expansions.
The Piedmont area of North Carolina has long been known as the cradle of industrialization-but after spending time in the display area tonight, it's very clear that all of you are not in the manufacturing business to simply MASS PRODUCE.
You take pride in doing things the RIGHT WAY.
You take pride in the first-class labor force that produces such QUALITY WORK.
And you take pride in YOUR ROLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
As leaders, you're looking ahead and you recognize the important connection between economic growth and transportation.
In my position as Secretary of Transportation, it's vital that I have an opportunity to meet with leaders like you and hear what's on your mind.
My experience as a CPA and my background as a business owner have given me a unique outlook on the state's transportation challenges.
This experience will guide me as I help Governor Easley build One North Carolina-a state where every community matters and every person counts.
Montgomery County has a number of strengths-from the Uwharrie Mountains to your excellent business climate-but one of your greatest assets has to be G. R. Kindley.
G. R. has devoted his career to realizing opportunities that others just dream about.
The Interstate 73/74 corridor was his vision and thanks to his leadership and persistence, this corridor is much more than a dream.
G.R. tells me that Bob Jordan was also instrumental in this process-along with many others.
Most of the I-73/74 corridor in this county, in fact, has already been improved to interstate standards and those sections throughout the state that are not yet complete are now on the state's transportation improvement program.
The final section of this corridor in this county will be completed by the widening of the U.S. 220 Bypass from south of Ellerbe to south of Candor, which will be let for construction in December.
I know many of you here tonight are also interested in N.C. 24/27.
Just as I-73/74 is an important north-south connector, N.C. 24/27 is destined to be a valuable east-west connector for our state.
The good news is that although the progress has been slow, it is and will continue to be STEADY-the department remains committed to improving this highway.
Construction of the 5-mile Troy Bypass will be a STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Another project of local interest is the widening of Page Street, near Montgomery Community College to just east of Troy.
Quality transportation projects like these are fundamental to the Governor's vision of One North Carolina.
Earlier this year, the Governor submitted a budget to the General Assembly that will help fulfill this vision.
In addition to providing funds for critical areas such as education and healthcare, his budget includes an additional $73 million for highway maintenance, $30 million for public transportation and $28 million for rail during the next two years.
These proposals all fit with MY AGENDA for improving transportation here in Montgomery County-and across the state.
To help us stay focused on what's important, I've produced these agenda cards, which I'm sharing with you tonight.
(HOLD UP CARD)
As you can see, at the top of my list is MAINTENANCE.
Over the last 50 years, this department invested great effort in road building, earning the name of "THE GOOD ROADS STATE."
This investment certainly paid off because our roads have played a vital role in our progress.
If we want to keep up with the needs of our growing population; however, we must be able to maintain the roads that we build.
Although the new budget will help, we'll still have about $220 million in unmet maintenance needs.
We're doing all we can to reduce this shortfall, starting with internal efficiencies and I'm pleased to say that already we have made much progress.
From streamlining the construction process to reducing administrative costs, we have strengthened our operations as well as improved our efficiency.
All savings that we generate will be recycled directly into MAINTENANCE.
For the sake of our children and grandchildren, it's also critical that we PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT as we fulfill transportation needs.
During my leadership, I'll be expanding efforts that protect what makes our state so special-from wetland and stream restoration, to beautification projects like the ones along U.S. 220 and N.C. 24/27 at Biscoe and the special plantings for the U.S. Women's Open later this month in Moore County.
Another of my top priorities is to pay special attention to the challenges faced in our RURAL AREAS.
While our urban areas are continuing to enjoy economic growth, our rural communities have lagged behind.
Being here tonight, however, and seeing your success only confirms my belief in the potential of areas like Montgomery County.
Because I grew up in a small town, I will always be a champion for our rural communities.
After all, it was our farm roads that supported our state by MOVING GOODS to the MARKETPLACE.
The same roads must now MOVE PEOPLE to the WORKPLACE.
I strongly believe that farm roads can now become the spokes in the economic development wheel.
That's why I am committed to providing the transportation infrastructure necessary to support industry-such as the projects underway in this county.
We're currently working on construction projects that will improve access to Homanit and Mid-Atlantic Building Systems-these projects should be completed very shortly.
As we consider transportation needs statewide, I'll also be looking at issues that concern our urban areas-which brings me to my next priority: MASS TRANSIT.
Just as Gov. Scott worked so hard to "get us out of the mud" 50 years ago, we must now "get out of traffic congestion."
In the past 30 years, the population in North Carolina increased 35 percent.
During this same time, vehicle miles traveled have increased by an alarming 200 percent.
Traffic congestion is frustrating for everyone-it is unproductive, it raises our stress level and it creates unsafe conditions along our highways.
Therefore, we must look at ways to increase capacity.
By increasing capacity, a mass transit system will not only improve congestion, it will also help us better plan for the future by offering citizens an alternative to the car.
That's why I will continue to push for an expansion of rail and public transportation across our state.
Citizens in communities like Montgomery County depend on public transportation and funds from our Rural Operating Assistance program.
We're also improving passenger rail across the state.
Recently we unveiled our plan to bring passenger rail back to Western North Carolina.
This five-phase plan includes operating a bus service from Salisbury to Asheville, renovating or building train stations and beginning passenger rail service in 2005.
We're also looking at a passenger rail plan for Eastern North Carolina.
I'll be announcing the results of a report on this later this week.
As you can see, WE HAVE MUCH WORK AHEAD OF US.
And funds are tighter than ever across state government.
In addition to identifying efficiencies, the department is participating in a number of short-term cost-cutting measures-from freezing vacant positions to limiting our purchasing to essential goods.
The state's budget crunch emphasizes the need for creative thinking.
As a CPA, my clients relied on me to assist them as their business experienced change.
And from my experience, I've learned what Henry Ford said is true: "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
I've also learned to appreciate the importance of a STRONG TEAM and it is this that makes me so optimistic about the challenges ahead.
In G. R. Kindley we have a proven leader who is proud to serve you on the Board of Transportation.
Many of you met for the first time tonight Gene Conti, my Chief Deputy, whose distinguished background in transportation policy and programs will serve this department well.
The name Bill must be a good name for engineers because we've got two outstanding ones:
But most important of all, I know that I can count on the assistance of LEADERS LIKE YOU.
It's very clear to me that the leaders here today take great pride in Montgomery County-and have made a significant investment in the future.
I look forward to working with all of you to continue to improve transportation in this area.
You can help by making the nine goals on these cards YOUR NINE GOALS.
Make this agenda YOUR AGENDA AND HELP ME MOVE NORTH CAROLINA FORWARD.
Together we can build the kind of transportation system that supports areas like Montgomery County and will make One North Carolina a reality.
Thank you for inviting me to join you tonight.